Urban Heat: Forward-Looking Climate Modeling for Skopje, North Macedonia

We produced actionable data on heat stress in cities to inform analysis and client dialogue on the part of World Bank teams. We applied an urban-scale climate modeling framework to generate datasets describing modeled heat stress exposure for present-day and future conditions under selected climate scenarios. The study domain focuses on Skopje, North Macedonia.

More details about the dataset: 

• The dataset includes calculations for each indicator across three scenarios (present, SSP1-1.9, SSP3-7.0) and three twenty-year periods (2001-2020, 2021-2040, and 2041-2060). The present period refers to 2001-2020, while the other two periods correspond to the two SSP scenarios.
• All indicators are available in both NetCDF and GeoTiff formats.
• The indicators are calculated at a resolution of 100 m, consistent with the UrbClim and WBGT simulations. Additionally, downscaled versions of the indicators are provided at a resolution of 30 m.
• The UrbClim and WBGT simulations, as well as the postprocessing, are conducted using the regional projection EPSG 32634. The NetCDF and GeoTiff data also adopt this projection. Furthermore, a GeoTiff data file with EPSG 4326 projection is included.
• All indicators are calculated as yearly averages. Some indicators also have additional calculations for seasonal averages, including Spring (MAM), Summer (JJA), Autumn (SON), and Winter (DJF).
• Ten representative locations within the study domain have been selected to retrieve the WBGT profile on a chosen date (2017-07-11). The results and the locations are stored in wbgt_profile.xlsx.
• Images for quick viewing in png format visualizing the results for each indicator. Present denotes the period 2001-2020; 2030 denotes the period 2021-2040; & 2050 denotes the period 2041-2060.
• The NetCDF and GeoTiff data can be found in the data.zip; The png files for quick viewing can be found in quickview.zip; more information about the dataset, including the methodology, all available data list, contact information, etc. can be found in the Technical_Annex_Skopje.docx