New USGS study shows heat retaining concrete and asphalt have encroached upon US Climate Stations...

I can believe this. My friend used to work for the Water Authority, called SWiFTMUD in the Tampa area and especially down town. Why? Well heat islands that occur a lot in cities, forcing the Lifted Condensation Level, meaning that the layer of moisture needed to initiate saturation levels and rain is delayed over the city. My observation working for radio stations nad as a Forensic Meteorologist, is that LCLs were higher and hence rain delayed. This could include Orlando, Lakeland and Plant City (Strawberry Farms -- Forever. This is NOT AGW (Manmade Climate Change) but it does prove that concrete affects temperatures and moisture. These are more microscale in scope. Working with the racetracks for the most part of 30 years, that rain would become prevalent, as the rain moved from Davis Island and the mouth of Tampa's Davis Island, where Tampa General is situated and where my daughter was born. The same is true for Eastbay Raceway, Busch Gardens and Disney.

Oh and, Tampa Bay, FL. has the most LTG strikes and TSTMS in the USA. Also attributal to this effect.