Urban Heat Islands Also Cause Smog And Rain

"With a pave-it-all mentality, Houston is clearly warmer than the surrounding plains, its asphalt-covered roads and roofs storing heat and stoking summer's fiery temperatures by up to 9 degrees.But now there's evidence Houston's blacktop makes the city a wetter place, too. Scientists say nearly half as much more rain is falling in some areas because of this self-heating...In addition to bringing rain, warming temperatures may contribute to smog...Other studies confirm an intuitive belief that as cities grow, their "urban heat island" effect grows as well...Urban planners admit that convincing businesses to abandon traditional building methods will not be easy, and Houston has never had a park-first mentality."