Universal thermal climate index in Russia

The paper uses the universal thermal climate index (UTCI) to estimate the bioclimate in Russia, initiated by the Commission of the International society of Biometeorology. The UTCI index can be described as equivalent environment temperature (°C), which provides the same physiological impact on humans as the actual environment. Assessment of bioclimatic conditions is shown for the territory of Russia in the period of modern climate change (2001–2015). Cold stress conditions (from low to extreme) were observed in the almost all territory of Russia for about 8–11 months a year. During the rest of the year, the conditions are neutral or comfortable. The period of extreme and very high cold stress is reduced during the modern climate warming (compared to the period 1961–1990), especially in the Arctic, in the European part of Russia, in Western and Eastern Siberia. At the same time, the period with neutral and comfortable thermal conditions increases.

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Bioclimatic Conditions of Paris, Rome and Budapest on the Basis of the Universal Thermal Climate Index

Miscellanea Geographica ◽

10.2478/mgrsd-2010-0010 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

pp. 103-109 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Danuta Idzikowska

Keyword(s):

Thermal Stress ◽

Cold Stress ◽

Extreme Values ◽

Climate Index ◽

Universal Thermal Climate Index ◽

European Cities ◽

Thermal Climate ◽

Extreme Cold ◽

Bioclimatic Conditions ◽

One Way Anova

Abstract The aim of this study was to examine the main features of the bioclimatic conditions of three European cities using a new Universal Thermal Climate Index. Daily values of meteorological variables for 12 UTC for the cities for 1990-2001 were used in the study. Using the frequency of UTCI and one-way Anova, the results showed that in all the three cities “no thermal stress” dominated throughout the year. “Extreme” values of heat as well as “cold stress” were observed but in none of the cities “extreme cold stress” occurred. The values of UTCI differed for all the three cities in each studied year. The cities differed from each other in each month during the whole year with the exception of spring - March and April.

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Bioclimatic conditions of Lublin based on the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI)

Miscellanea Geographica ◽

10.2478/mgrsd-2020-0025 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 24 (3) ◽

pp. 118-127

Author(s):

Mateusz Dobek ◽

Sylwester Wereski ◽

Agnieszka Krzyżewska

Keyword(s):

Heat Stress ◽

Cold Stress ◽

Climate Index ◽

Human Organism ◽

Universal Thermal Climate Index ◽

Thermal Climate ◽

Bioclimatic Conditions

AbstractThe objective of this paper is to describe bioclimatic conditions in Lublin and Radawiec in the period 1976–2015 using the UTCI index. The paper shows that in Lublin and Radawiec, the most frequent biometeorological conditions caused no heat stress and were neutral for the human organism. At the analysed stations, biometeorological conditions causing cold stress occurred more frequently than those causing heat stress. Biometeorological conditions in the analysed period were characterised by high year-to-year variability. We observed that in recent years there was an increase in frequency of conditions favouring heat stress and a decrease in conditions favouring cold stress.

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The assessment of human bioclimate of Vranje health resort (Serbia) based on Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) with the focus on extreme biothermal conditions

Geographia Polonica ◽

10.7163/gpol.0201 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 94 (2) ◽

pp. 201-222

Author(s):

Milica Pecelj ◽

Anna Błażejczyk ◽

Nemanja Vagić ◽

Peca Ivanović

Keyword(s):

Heat Stress ◽

Thermal Stress ◽

Cold Stress ◽

Weather Data ◽

Climate Index ◽

Universal Thermal Climate Index ◽

Heat And Cold Stress ◽

Thermal Climate ◽

Extreme Cold ◽

Bioclimatic Conditions

The study deals with an assessment and interpretation of the bioclimatic conditions in Vranje (southern Serbia). The study aims at temporal distributions of bioclimatic conditions focussing on extreme thermal stress based on the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI). The meteorological data required for the calculation of UTCI concern hourly (7 and 14 CET) weather data collected for the period 2000-2017. The frequency of very strong heat stress (VSHS), very strong cold stress (VSCS) and extreme cold stress (ECS) for both morning and midday hours. Furthermore, the daily difference of the UTCI hourly values (diurnal UTCI change) are specified, giving the daily variance of heat and cold stress. The results revealed the frequency of days in which thermal stress prevails for the studied period. The obtained results show an increase in extreme heat biothermal conditions, while extreme cold biothermal conditions are in decline, especially in the last 10 years. However, the frequency (the number of days) of very strong heat stress (VSHS) increased since 2007. A spectacular increase in heat stress was observed in the month of September, particularly in 2015.

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The Universal Thermal Climate Index as an Operational Forecasting Tool of Human Biometeorological Conditions in Europe

Applications of the Universal Thermal Climate Index UTCI in Biometeorology ◽

10.1007/978-3-030-76716-7_10 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 193-208

Author(s):

Claudia Di Napoli ◽

Alessandro Messeri ◽

Martin Novák ◽

João Rio ◽

Joanna Wieczorek ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Air Temperature ◽

Prediction Models ◽

Weather Forecasting ◽

Heat Budget ◽

Environmental Parameters ◽

Thermal Conditions ◽

Personal Characteristics ◽

Climate Index ◽

Universal Thermal Climate Index ◽

Thermal Climate

AbstractIn operational weather forecasting standard environmental parameters, such as air temperature and humidity, are traditionally used to predict thermal conditions in the future. These parameters, however, are not enough to describe the thermal stress induced by the outdoor environment to the human body as they neglect the human heat budget and personal characteristics (e.g. clothing). The Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) overcomes these limitations by using an advanced thermo-physiological model coupled with a state-of-the-art clothing model. Several systems have been recently developed to operationally forecast human biometeorological conditions via the UTCI, i.e. by computing UTCI from the forecasts of air temperature, humidity, wind speed and radiation as provided by numerical weather prediction models. Here we describe the UTCI-based forecasting systems developed in Czech Republic, Italy, Poland, Portugal and at the pan-European scale. Their characteristics are illustrated and their potential as warning systems for thermal hazards discussed.

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UTCI as the NWP model ALADIN (CHMI) output – first experiences

Geographia Polonica ◽

10.7163/gpol.0203 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 94 (2) ◽

pp. 237-249

Author(s):

Martin Novák

Keyword(s):

Numerical Weather Prediction ◽

Meteorological Data ◽

Weather Prediction ◽

Climate Index ◽

Basic Information ◽

Universal Thermal Climate Index ◽

Numerical Weather ◽

Weather Forecasters ◽

Thermal Climate ◽

Nwp Model

The article includes a summary of basic information about the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) calculation by the numerical weather prediction (NWP) model ALADIN of the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (CHMI). Examples of operational outputs for weather forecasters in the CHMI are shown in the first part of this work. The second part includes results of a comparison of computed UTCI values by ALADIN for selected place with UTCI values computed from real measured meteorological data from the same place.

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The evaluation of biothermal conditions for various forms of climatic therapy based on UTCI adjusted for activity

Geographia Polonica ◽

10.7163/gpol.0199 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 94 (2) ◽

pp. 167-182

Author(s):

Katarzyna Lindner-Cendrowska ◽

Peter Bröde

Keyword(s):

Physical Activities ◽

Climate Index ◽

Metabolic Rates ◽

Universal Thermal Climate Index ◽

Vigorous Exercise ◽

Adjustment Procedure ◽

Level Of Activity ◽

Thermal Climate ◽

Health Resorts ◽

Bioclimatic Conditions

The objective of this study was to assess biothermal conditions in the selected Polish health resorts for specific forms of climatic therapy. We calculated Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) for ten-year period (2008- 2017) and then added adjustment terms, taking into account changes in metabolic rates during various physical activities from resting to vigorous exercise. The adjusted UTCI values increased with rising activity, implying that warmer parts of the year were unsuitable for intensive forms of climatotherapy. These results demonstrate that the UTCI adjustment procedure provides well-balanced assessments of bioclimatic conditions for the purpose of climatic treatment considering the level of activity

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Principles of the New Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) and its Application to Bioclimatic Research in European Scale

Miscellanea Geographica ◽

10.2478/mgrsd-2010-0009 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

pp. 91-102 ◽

Cited By ~ 38

Author(s):

Krzysztof Błażejczyk ◽

Peter Broede ◽

Dusan Fiala ◽

George Havenith ◽

Ingvar Holmér ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Outdoor Recreation ◽

Whole Body ◽

Actual Condition ◽

Climate Index ◽

Special Study Group ◽

Universal Thermal Climate Index ◽

Wide Range ◽

Thermal Climate ◽

Hands And Feet ◽

Physiological Reactions

Abstract During the last century about 100 indices were developed to assess influences of the atmosphere on human being. However, most of them have not close relationships with physiological reactions in man. In 1999 International Society of Biometeorology established special study group do develop new Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI). Since 2005 these efforts have been reinforced by the COST Action 730 (Cooperation in Science and Technical Development). In February 2009 the Action was terminated and UTCI was developed. The new UTCI index represents air temperature of the reference condition with the same physiological response as the actual condition. The index base on Fiala model that is one of the most advanced multi-node thermophysiological models and include the capability to predict both whole body thermal effects (hypothermia and hyperthermia; heat and cold discomfort), and local effects (facial, hands and feet cooling and frostbite). The model consists of two interacting systems: the controlling active system; and the controlled passive system. The assessment scale of UTCI bases on the intensity of objective physiological reactions to environmental heat stress in wide range of weather and climates. The index can be applicable in various research, for example in weather forecasts, bioclimatological assessments, bioclimatic mapping in all scales (from micro to macro), urban design, engineering of outdoor spaces, consultancy for where to live, outdoor recreation and climatotherapy, epidemiology and climate impact research. The paper presents thermophysiological principles of UTCI as well as some examples of its application to assess bioclimatic differentiation of Europe.

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Reflective Parking Lots for Microscale Urban Heat Island Mitigation

Transportation Research Record Journal of the Transportation Research Board ◽

10.1177/0361198120919401 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2674 (8) ◽

pp. 663-671

Author(s):

Sushobhan Sen ◽

Juan Pablo Ricardo Mendèz-Ruiz Fernandèz ◽

Jeffery Roesler

Keyword(s):

Urban Heat Island ◽

Air Temperature ◽

Significant Proportion ◽

Climate Index ◽

Heat Island ◽

Universal Thermal Climate Index ◽

Parking Lots ◽

Parking Lot ◽

Thermal Climate ◽

Urban Heat

Paved surfaces, especially parking lots, occupy a significant proportion of the horizontal surface area in cities. The low albedo of many of these parking lots contribute to the urban heat island (UHI) and affect the local microclimate around them. The albedo of six parking lots in Champaign-Urbana, U.S., was measured using a ground-based albedometer and was found to vary between 0.18 and 0.28, with a statistically significant variation in albedo at different points within each parking lot. The numerical model ENVI-met was then employed to model the microclimate around one of these lots to examine the potential of increasing its albedo to mitigate UHI. The higher albedo decreased the air temperature over the parking lot by about 1°C. Furthermore, the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI), which combines the effects of air temperature, reflected radiation, wind speed, clothing, metabolism, and humidity, demonstrated that increasing the albedo of the parking lot could improve overall pedestrian thermal comfort and even eliminate it during several hours of the day, and thus mitigate the UHI effect.

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Heat stress and outdoor activities in open spaces of public housing estates in Hong Kong: A perspective of the elderly community

Indoor and Built Environment ◽

10.1177/1420326x20950448 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1420326X2095044 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jianxiang Huang ◽

Yang Chen ◽

Phil Jones ◽

Tongping Hao

Keyword(s):

Hong Kong ◽

Heat Stress ◽

Public Housing ◽

Thermal Environment ◽

The Elderly ◽

Climate Index ◽

Universal Thermal Climate Index ◽

Open Spaces ◽

Thermal Climate ◽

Housing Estates

Open spaces in Hong Kong are in short supply and they are often underused due to the adverse climate, especially in hot and humid summer. This is a missed opportunity that can be otherwise realized to promote health and social interactions for local communities. The high density urban environment makes the condition worse by raising the urban heat island effect and leaving planners with fewer mitigation options. This study aims to test the hypotheses that an unfavourable thermal environment disrupts the use of outdoor open spaces; if yes, whether such disruptions differ by age groups. On-site measurement and computer simulations were conducted in three open spaces in public housing estates in Ngau Tau Kok, Hong Kong. Thermal conditions were assessed using the Universal Thermal Climate Index. Occupant activities were recorded, together with a questionnaire survey. Results showed that an open space purposefully designed for breeze and shading was 2.0°C cooler in Universal Thermal Climate Index compared with the other two. It attracted more optional/social activities, higher frequency of visits, and longer duration of stay. The elderly activities were more susceptible to disruptions from heat stress compared with younger groups. Elderly activities largely diminish when ambient thermal environment exceed 39°C in Universal Thermal Climate Index. Findings have implications to design and retrofitting of open spaces in order to maximize their use.

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