Decadal Dynamics of Nighttime Urban Heat Island in Coimbatore: A Spatio-Temporal Investigation of Thermal Clustering and Intensification

This study presents a comprehensive spatio-temporal analysis of nighttime Land Surface Temperature (LST) and Urban Heat Island Intensity (UHII) in Coimbatore from 2001 to 2022, highlighting statistically significant warming trends and intensifying urban heat island effects. Urban areas experienced a notable nighttime LST increase from 21.4 °C in 2001 to 23.7 °C in 2019, compared to a rural rise from 20.5 °C to 22.5 °C. The average urban–rural LST differential (~1 °C) widened post-2016, aligning with the recorded peak LST of 26.8 °C. The minimum LST dropped to 8.5 °C in 2001, indicating a reduction in cold extremes. Kendall’s tau analysis confirmed a stronger warming trend in urban areas (τ = 0.593) than rural zones (τ = 0.429). Seasonal UHII analysis showed progressive winter intensification post-2012, while summer UHII peaked in 2013 and 2015, then dipped post-2016 before rising again in 2022. Mann-Kendall tests confirmed statistically significant increasing trends in winter UHII, urban LST, and rural LST, with urban LST exhibiting the steepest rise. Spatial autocorrelation analysis using Moran’s Index revealed intensifying clustering of high LST zones: the annual Moran’s Index increased from 0.797 (2001) to 0.857 (2022), with z-scores rising from 42.253 to 45.445. Winter showed the most pronounced clustering, with Moran’s Index jumping from 0.812 to 0.903 and z-scores reaching 47.848 by 2022. Hotspots with 99 % confidence levels were primarily urban, expanding over time with temperatures between 24.8 °C and 26.7 °C, while cold spots (99 % CL) remained stable in rural areas. These findings confirm the persistent and intensifying nature of UHI in Coimbatore, driven by urban expansion, declining vegetation, and increased impervious surfaces. This study fills a critical research gap by providing one of the first long-term assessments of nighttime UHI intensity in a mid-sized Indian city, thereby contributing to the broader understanding of urban thermal dynamics beyond metropolitan regions. The study underscores the urgent need for spatially informed interventions, such as urban greening, reflective materials, and climate-sensitive planning, to mitigate urban thermal stress and enhance resilience in rapidly growing cities.