Based on the Landsat remote sensing images of 1986 and 2011, higher resolution terrain data and 2-D urban fraction values, the impact of land use and land cover change (LUCC) on the near-surface air temperature is investigated for Shenzhen by carrying out two sets of numerical experiments using the weather research and forecasting model (WRF) coupled with the Noah urban canopy model. Comparison with measured near-surface air temperatures of 40 ground-based atmospheric observatories in the region shows a good agreement between observed and simulated data for the simulation periods. The results indicate significant contributions of urban sprawl and accompanying LUCC to the near-surface air temperature. Simulations suggest that LUCC has caused average temperatures with an increase of up to 0.42°C in January and 0.91°C in July respectively. The conversion from natural vegetation covers into urban and built-up area results in a decrease in surface albedo and thereby enhances the surface net solar radiation and the sensible heat flux, which leads to the most obvious warming effect.