For the second time in the last 7 days, I have had occasion to travel to the northeast part of Lubbock County. To be a little more precise, about 14 miles north and 16 miles east of where I live. This is out in the country. Way out.
There were two things I noticed. The wind was more obvious. But of course, there is nothing to block it. I have long known that the effect of the wind inside the Loop of Lubbock really is minimized compared to the outlying country areas. And, this is truly amazing, when the winds are 40 MPH or more.
The other thing I noticed was the temperature difference. The first time I went out to this area of the county, I realized the difference in temperature was about 10°. While this surprised me a little bit, it made sense. The effect of the buildings decreasing the influence of the wind, and more importantly, the effect of the urban warming of buildings, concrete, and asphalt all influenced the temperature.
Today, when I went out to the country again, I noticed the temperature difference. It was striking. As I returned to town, I realized it was about 15 degrees, and of course the wind was stronger in the country.
Years ago, a friend of mine and I talked about the influence or effect of urban warming on the micro-atmosphere of the "urban area." Neither of us had heard about this as science, but we thought it made anecdotal sense: We would see weather fronts with moisture head toward the city of Lubbock, and as they arrived, the moisture, which was minimal, dissipated.
About the same time, a favorite NASCAR announcer talked about the "race track vortex effect." His theory was similar: The heat generated at a NASCAR track: from the paved track, the heat of the vehicles, and the fans, automobile traffic, and etc. created a heat vortex over the track which would dissipate minor rain storms.
Well, low and behold, science has proved these theories to be correct.
I noticed the temperature difference tonight. It is not a fluke.
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