“空调热浪”可能加剧城市暴雨

Core Viewpoint - The research conducted by Professor Huang Jinhui's team at Nankai University reveals that the waste heat generated by air conditioning during cooling processes significantly alters urban weather patterns, potentially intensifying summer rainstorms in cities. This finding presents new challenges for extreme weather management and urban planning [1][2]. Group 1: Research Findings - The study focuses on the densely populated and energy-intensive coastal region of Shenzhen-Hong Kong, utilizing high-precision meteorological models to explore the impact of air conditioning waste heat on short-duration heavy rainfall [1]. - The results indicate that in scenarios where air conditioning is used, the peak intensity of short-duration heavy rainfall in Shenzhen increases by approximately 22%, while in Hong Kong, it rises by about 3%. The enhancement of rainfall is particularly pronounced in high-density, high-rise building areas [1]. Group 2: Mechanism of Impact - Air conditioning waste heat primarily increases the sensible heat flux at the urban surface, significantly raising urban surface temperatures and exacerbating the urban heat island effect. This additional heat causes air to rise more vigorously, making moisture in the urban atmosphere more likely to reach condensation height, thereby triggering or intensifying convective rainfall [1]. Group 3: Recommendations and Implications - In response to the rising frequency and intensity of short-duration rainstorms due to increased air conditioning usage amid global warming, the research team suggests two approaches: improving the energy efficiency of air conditioning units to reduce waste heat emissions and incorporating more green infrastructure in urban planning, such as increasing urban greenery and using cooling pavement materials to mitigate the urban heat island effect [2]. - This research provides important references for urban climate adaptation and infrastructure planning, particularly in high-density and rapidly urbanizing areas, highlighting the need for effective management and mitigation of the negative impacts of air conditioning waste heat for sustainable urban development [2].