Smog and heat turn most cities into 'wet islands'.

A study conducted by researchers at the University of Texas at Austin found that over 60% of cities around the world experience more rainfall than their surrounding rural areas, creating what they call "wet islands." Factors such as heat absorbed by buildings and asphalt, air pollution, and lack of vegetation can contribute to this phenomenon. The study also found that larger, more populous cities are more likely to be wet islands, and the difference in rainfall between cities and their surroundings has been increasing over time due to urbanization and climate change. The researchers suggest that city planners may need to consider the impact of their decisions on rainfall. [Extracted from the article]