Algunas alteraciones de largo periodo del clima de la ciudad de México debidas a la urbanización. Revisión y perspectivas

Abstract

Significant changes in the climate of Mexico City have occurred as a result of the urbanization process. During the past hundred years the mean annual temperature has increased 1.5ºC while the urban/rural temperature contrast has reached around 10ºC. The frequency of intense (20 mm/hr) convective precipitation has increased during recent decades while solar radiation has been attenuated (up to 15%) by smog. In recent years air quality trend shows a decline for some pollutants (i. e. lead, total dust particles and acid rain) but concentration of other gases remain above the standard (i. e ozone, PM10). Finally an assessment is made of the bioclimatic condictions in various quarters of the capital city.