A spatial decision-support framework for heat hazard risk assessment in hot-arid environments: methodological and practical insights from Saudi Arabia
As the climate warms, understanding patterns of heat risk and related impacts becomes essential for informed decision-making and adaptive planning, particularly in hot-arid environments where climate regimes are characterized by frequent occurrence of multiple heat types. The impacts of heat hazards not only vary among heat types (e.g., hot days, hot nights, and heat waves) but also within each type. Building on this and using data from Saudi Arabia, a multidimensional heat-hazard index was proposed to quantify the compound characteristics within each heat-hazard type. Results showed that the frequency, intensity, and duration metrics capture distinct characteristics of heat events and relying on a single metric does not fully represent the associated risks. The developed multi-dimensional index demonstrated adequate performance in accounting for multiple heat-hazard dimensions and further highlighting spatial differences. Thermal risks for each heat hazard were examined using a combination of risk-triangle analysis, bivariate mapping, and ternary diagrams. This integrated framework enabled a more in-depth analysis of interactions among the three risk dimensions—hazard, exposure, and vulnerability—and provided a valuable tool for informed decision-making. Hot nights posed higher risks than other hot extremes, and vulnerability–hazard interactions tended to play a greater role in shaping overall risks across hazard types, with varying contributions. Overall, the findings suggest that tailored approaches—both hazard-specific and location-specific—are essential for effective risk reduction interventions. The applied framework contributes to the first systematic profiling of heat risks in Saudi Arabia while remaining transferable to environmental and integrated risk-impact assessments in other hot-arid regions.
As the climate warms, understanding patterns of heat risk and related impacts becomes essential for informed decision-making and adaptive planning, particularly in hot-arid environments where…
Understanding the spatiotemporal dynamics of surface urban heat islands (SUHI) and the influence of land features on their formation is crucial for effective climate-resilient urban policies.
Changes in temperature seasonality influence a wide range of societal and natural activities. The characteristics of the temperature/thermal seasons in the Arabian Peninsula and how the seasons…