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In general, the harmful impact from summertime heat islands are greater than the wintertime benefits, and most heat island reduction strategies can reduce summertime heat islands without eliminating wintertime benefits.

Are Heat Islands and Global Warming Related?

Heat islands describe local-scale temperature differences, generally between urban and rural areas. In contrast, global warming refers to a gradual rise of the earth's surface temperature.

While they are distinct phenomena, summertime heat islands may contribute to global warming by increasing demand for air conditioning, which results in additional power plant emissions of heat-trapping greenhouse gases. Strategies to reduce heat islands, therefore, can also reduce the emissions that contribute to global warming.

The heat island effect can also complicate studies of long-term trends. By accurately measuring heat islands, scientists can remove the heat island effect from global temperature records.

Source: US EPA

Can Heat Islands Provide Wintertime Benefits?

In the wintertime, some cities in cold climates may benefit from the warming effect of heat islands. Warmer temperatures can reduce heating energy needs and may help melt ice and snow on roads. In the summertime, however, the same city will experience the negative effects of heat islands: increased levels of air conditioning demand, air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and heat-related illness and mortality, as well as reduced thermal comfort.

Winter Benefits of Global Warming