Ground surface temperatures rise due to loss of forest plant cover due to fires

Satellite data has confirmed that loss of plant cover leads to a significant increase in ground surface temperature in areas where forest vegetation has been destroyed by wildfires, based on an analysis released on Wednesday by the METEO service of the National Observatory of Athens.
Specifically, METEO analysed satellite data from two consecutive warm periods: July 17, 2024, before the devastating Varnava/Penteli wildfire, and June 26, 2025, approximately 11 months later. The comparison between the two dates reveals temperature differences of around 1-2 ° C in many areas, which can be attributed to natural fluctuations in weather conditions.
However, the area affected by the large wildfire of August 2024 is of particular interest. As shown on the relevant map, within the burned area, ground surface temperatures in June 2025 appear to be up to 10 ° C higher than those of July 2024, prior to the fire. Despite the passage of a significant amount of time, the METEO service noted that the loss of vegetation continues to have a strong impact on the region's energy balance, leading to substantial surface heating.
As METEO pointed out, the measurements concern ground surface temperatures. However, it stressed that it is reasonable to expect similar - though likely smaller - differences in air temperature near the surface as well.
"In conclusion," METEO stated, "the satellite data confirm that the destruction of forest vegetation due to wildfire leads to a significant increase in ground temperature, with potential impacts on the microclimate and the broader ecological balance of the area."

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