Urbanisation increases cloudiness over Greater Kuala Lumpur during southwest and northeast monsoons

Abstract

Understanding urban cloud dynamics is vital, as changes in local cloud patterns impact energy and water cycles, posing risks to cities. This study examined urban cloudiness using Himawari-8 satellite data from 2016 to 2021 during the southwest and northeast monsoons in Greater Kuala Lumpur. Urban areas exhibited higher daytime cloud cover than rural areas, with peak cloudiness at 1500 local time being 1.22 times greater during southwest monsoon and 1.24 times greater during the northeast monsoon. Increased solar radiation and the urban heat island effect drive these variations, offering insights for weather forecasting and climate studies in rapidly urbanising regions.