Efeitos do adensamento urbano e verticalização em Manaus sobre um fenômeno meteorológico de mesoescala

Abstract

In recent years, countless efforts have been made to understand how the presence of cities changes meteorological phenomena, especially those on a mesoscale scale. Verification of this process is essential to understand anthropogenic influences on weather conditions. Furthermore, little is known about the effects that types of urban densification and verticalization cause in a meteorological event. Therefore, the present work investigated the influence of different types of urban densification and verticalization intensity in Manaus on the quantity, spatial pattern and life cycle of rainfall resulting from a meteorological event. To this end, numerical sensitivity experiments were carried out with the WRF model coupled to an urban canopy model. Each experiment consisted of a single urban densification condition (low density of residences, high density of residences and industrial/commercial) and verticalization, which in turn was compared to a reference condition (control). The results show that numerical experiments on urban densification, urban presence and verticalization change the physical characteristics of the urban surface, which consequently cause changes in the development and displacement of the meteorological system. These modifications induce changes in rainfall patterns over the city and surrounding areas. It was noted that the greater the urban density, the greater the volume of rain over the city. Furthermore, when the city is verticalized, the pattern of the meteorological system shows a tendency to bifurcate, and the volume of rain over the city is reduced. It is concluded, then, that urban densification causes an increase in the volume of rainfall, while verticalization reduces precipitation over the city. In this sense, the present work contributes to advancing knowledge regarding the impact of urban densification and verticalization on a meteorological system.