Urban heat island in southern Europe: The case study of Hania, CreteUrban heat island in southern Europe: The case study of Hania, Crete Peer-Reviewed Journal Publication Δημοσίευση σε Περιοδικό με Κριτές 2015-11-042009enThe aim of the present paper is to analyze the results of the urban heat island research for a coastal densely built small Mediterranean town namely Hania, Crete, Greece. The specific research targets to verify the existence, the intensity, the size and the form of the urban heat island phenomenon in the specific region as well as to understand its correlation with the local weather conditions. Nine urban and three rural meteorological stations are used for this study. Temperature and relative humidity measurements are collected from May 26, 2007 until October 24, 2007. In parallel, meteorological data including wind speed and direction, barometric pressure, sunlight and precipitation for the specific region are collected and elaborated for cross-correlation with the appearance of the urban heat island (UHI) phenomenon. During summer period, where the temperature is high, the UHI takes its maximum intensity, of about 8 °C. Also, the form of the UHI is strongly influenced from the wind speed and direction. The northern winds expand the UHI front, while the western winds contribute to the UHI reduction. Finally the Discomfort Index (DI) is calculated for the 2007 summer period to indicate the outdoor living conditions.Δημοσίευση σε επιστημονικό περιοδικό http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Solar Energy10831871–1883 Kolokotsa Dionysia Κολοκοτσα Διονυσια Psomas A. Karapidakis Emmanuel Elsevier Urban heat island Urban discomfort Heat stress