City scientists map heatwave from space

Space Park scientists revealed that the highest temperature they recorded was 52C (125.6F)

SCIENTISTS have been using satellite data to track the course of the heatwave.

National Centre for Earth Observation (NCEO) researchers, based at the city’s Space Park off Abbey Lane, mapped land surface temperatures over the past few days as the British Isles heated up.

They revealed that the highest temperature they recorded was 52C (125.6F).

A pair of Sentinel-3 satellites in orbit more than 800km (500 miles) above the Earth also allowed them to produce a heat map showing a snapshot of temperatures recorded on the surface at about 10.20am on Monday, pictured.

The satellites are operated by the European Space Agency and are fitted with a Sea and Land Surface Temperature Radiometer (SLSTR).

Dr Darren Ghent, NCEO leader and research fellow for land surface temperature, said land surface temperature is a separate measure to the ambient air temperature readings recorded by the likes of the Met Office and other weather services.

Warm air rising from the land both influences and is influenced by the world’s weather and varying climate patterns.

“Space based observations of the temperature of the surface of the land offer unparalleled knowledge of the spatial structure of these heatwave events,” he said.

The map shows the hottest land surface temperatures focused around London and other major towns and cities in both south east England and the Midlands, including Leicester.

“These urban heat islands occur because the increased concentration of concrete, buildings and other dense materials absorb and retain heat at a higher rate than natural land cover,” said Dr Ghent.

The NCEO processes and analyses vast quantities of data generated by satellites and involves more than 100 scientists.

It also gathers information collected using aircraft and groundbased technology to “monitor and understand global and regional changes”.