scholarly journals Assessing the Climatological Relationship between Heatstroke Risk and Heat Stress Indices in 47 Prefectures in Japan

GeoHazards ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 321-331
Author(s):  
Yuki Iwamoto ◽  
Yukitaka Ohashi
Keyword(s):  
Heat Stress ◽  
Maximum Temperature ◽  
Daily Maximum Temperature ◽  
Climate Index ◽  
Daily Maximum ◽  
Stress Indices ◽  
Wet Bulb Globe Temperature ◽  
Thermal Climate ◽  
Globe Temperature ◽  
Northern Japan

This study provides a decade-long link between summer heatstroke incidence and certain heat stress indices in 47 prefectures of Japan. The results for each prefecture were determined from the age-adjusted heatstroke incidence rate (TRadj) with heatstroke patients transported by ambulance, as well as from the daily maximum temperature (TEMPmax), maximum wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGTmax), and maximum universal thermal climate index (UTCImax) recorded from July to September of 2010–2019. The UTCImax relatively increased the vulnerability in many prefectures of northern Japan more distinctly than the other indices. In the following analysis, the ratio of the TRadj of the hottest to coolest months using the UTCImax was defined as the heatstroke risk of the hottest to coolest (HRHC). Overall, the HRHC varied approximately from 20 to 40 in many prefectures in the past decade. In contrast, for the same analysis performed in each month, HRHC ratios in July and August fell within 2–4 in many prefectures, whereas in September, the average and maximum HRHC ratios for all prefectures were 7.0 and 32.4, respectively. This difference can be related to the large difference in UTCImax between the maximum and minimum for a decade.

Summer infertility in pigs: its incidence and characteristics in an Australian commercial piggery

1978 ◽  
Vol 18 (94) ◽  
pp. 698 ◽  
Author(s):  
AM Paterson ◽  
I Barker ◽  
DR Lindsay
Keyword(s):  
Heat Stress ◽  
High Temperature ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Ovarian Function ◽  
Embryonic Mortality ◽  
Maximum Temperature ◽  
Daily Maximum Temperature ◽  
Daily Maximum ◽  
Fertilization Failure ◽  
Summer Temperatures

The records of five years' production in an 800 sow commercial piggery were examined and the relationships between summer temperatures, returns to service and litter size were considered. When mean daily maximum temperature exceeded 32�C during the week of service there was an increase in the number of sows failing to hold to service. The number of sows that returned to service 15-25 days after mating remained constant throughout the year, and summer infertility was characterized by an increase in the number of sows that exhibited extended, irregular return-to-service intervals. The litter size of sows that conceived during the period of summer infertility was not significantly different from that of sows conceiving at other times of the year. The data suggest that summer infertility is not due simply to fertilization failure, embryonic mortality or an increased incidence of abortions in sows mated during periods of high temperature. Neither does boar fertility appear to be in question. It seems most likely that heat stress around the time of mating may affect ovarian function, resulting in temporary infertility and an endocrine imbalance, which causes delayed, irregular returns to oestrus.

scholarly journals An Evaluation of Temperature-Based Agricultural Indices Over Korea From the High-Resolution WRF Simulation

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eun-Soon Im ◽  
Subin Ha ◽  
Liying Qiu ◽  
Jina Hur ◽  
Sera Jo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heat Stress ◽  
High Resolution ◽  
Dynamical Downscaling ◽  
Initial Conditions ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Stress Index ◽  
Maximum Temperature ◽  
Daily Maximum Temperature ◽  
Daily Maximum ◽  
Hourly Temperature

This study evaluates the performance of dynamical downscaling of global prediction generated from the NOAA Climate Forecast System (CFSv2) at subseasonal time-scale against dense in-situ observational data in Korea. The Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) double-nested modeling system customized over Korea is adopted to produce very high resolution simulation that presumably better resolves geographically diverse climate features. Two ensemble members of CFSv2 starting with different initial conditions are downscaled for the summer season (June-July-August) during past 10-year (2011–2020). The comparison of simulations from the nested domain (5 km resolution) of WRF and driving CFSv2 (0.5°) clearly demonstrates the manner in which dynamical downscaling can drastically improve daily mean temperature (Tmean) and daily maximum temperature (Tmax) in both quantitative and qualitative aspects. The downscaled temperature not only better resolves the regional variability strongly tied with topographical elevation, but also substantially lowers the systematic cold bias seen in CFSv2. The added value from the nested domain over CFSv2 is far more evident in Tmax than in Tmean, which indicates a skillful performance in capturing the extreme events. Accordingly, downscaled results show a reasonable performance in simulating the plant heat stress index that counts the number of days with Tmax above 30°C and extreme degree days that accumulate temperature exceeding 30°C using hourly temperature. The WRF simulations also show the potential to capture the variation of Tmean-based index that represents the accumulation of heat stress in reproductive growth for the mid-late maturing rice cultivars in Korea. As the likelihood of extreme hot temperatures is projected to increase in Korea, the modeling skill to predict the ago-meteorological indices measuring the effect of extreme heat on crop could have significant implications for agriculture management practice.

The heat is on: Observations and trends of heat stress metrics during Florida summers

2022 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Heat Stress ◽  
Heat Waves ◽  
South Florida ◽  
Heat Index ◽  
Daily Maximum ◽  
Wet Bulb Globe Temperature ◽  
Key West ◽  
Outdoor Work ◽  
Temperature And Humidity ◽  
Globe Temperature

Abstract Extreme heat is annually the deadliest weather hazard in the U.S. and is strongly amplified by climate change. In Florida, summer heat waves have increased in frequency and duration, exacerbating negative human health impacts on a state with a substantial older population and industries (e.g., agriculture) that require frequent outdoor work. However, the combined impacts of temperature and humidity (heat stress) have not been previously investigated. For eight Florida cities, this study constructs summer climatologies and trend analyses (1950–2020) of two heat stress metrics: heat index (HI) and wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT). While both incorporate temperature and humidity, WBGT also includes wind and solar radiation, and is a more comprehensive measure of heat stress on the human body. With minor exceptions, results show increases in average summer daily maximum, mean, and minimum HI and WBGT throughout Florida. Daily minimum HI and WBGT exhibit statistically significant increases at all eight stations, emphasizing a hazardous rise in nighttime heat stress. Corresponding to other recent studies, HI and WBGT increases are largest in coastal subtropical locations in Central and South Florida (i.e., Daytona Beach, Tampa, Miami, Key West), but exhibit no conclusive relationship with urbanization changes. Finally, danger (103–124°F) HI and high (> 88°F) WBGT summer days exhibit significant frequency increases across the state. Especially at coastal locations in the Florida Peninsula and Keys, danger HI and high WBGT days now account for > 20% of total summer days, emphasizing a substantial escalation in heat stress, particularly since 2000.

Is Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET) a superior screening tool for heat stress risk than Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) index? Eight years of data from the Gothenburg half marathon

2020 ◽  
pp. bjsports-2019-100632 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sofia Thorsson ◽  
David Rayner ◽  
Gunnar Palm ◽  
Fredrik Lindberg ◽  
Eric Carlström ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heat Stress ◽  
Screening Tool ◽  
Radiant Heat ◽  
Climate Index ◽  
Sporting Events ◽  
Equivalent Temperature ◽  
Physiological Equivalent Temperature ◽  
Wet Bulb Globe Temperature ◽  
Globe Temperature ◽  
Pet Index

BackgroundThe Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) index is a common tool to screen for heat stress for sporting events. However, the index has a number of limitations. Rational indices, such as the physiological equivalent temperature (PET) and Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI), are potential alternatives.AimTo identify the thermal index that best predicts ambulance-required assistances and collapses during a city half marathon.MethodsEight years (2010–2017) of meteorological and ambulance transport data, including medical records, from Gothenburg’s half-marathon were used to analyse associations between WBGT, PET and UTCI and the rates of ambulance-required assistances and collapses. All associations were evaluated by Monte-Carlo simulations and leave-one-out-cross-validation.ResultsThe PET index showed the strongest correlation with both the rate of ambulance-required assistances (R2=0.72, p=0.008) and collapses (R2=0.71, p=0.008), followed by the UTCI (R2=0.64, p=0.017; R2=0.64, p=0.017) whereas the WBGT index showed substantially poorer correlations (R2=0.56, p=0.031; R2=0.56, p=0.033). PET stages of stress, match the rates of collapses better that the WBGT flag colour warning. Compared with the PET, the WBGT underestimates heat stress, especially at high radiant heat load. The rate of collapses increases with increasing heat stress; large increase from the day before the race seems to have an impact of the rate of collapses.ConclusionWe contend that the PET is a better predictor of collapses during a half marathon than the WBGT. We call for further investigation of PET as a screening tool alongside WBGT.

scholarly journals Summer variation of the UTCI index and Heat Waves in Serbia

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Milica M. Pecelj ◽  
Milica Z. Lukić ◽  
Dejan J. Filipović ◽  
Branko M. Protić
Keyword(s):  
Heat Stress ◽  
Heat Wave ◽  
Heat Waves ◽  
Heat Budget ◽  
Meteorological Data ◽  
Climate Index ◽  
Daily Maximum ◽  
Thermal Climate ◽  
Maximum Temperatures ◽  
Novi Sad

Abstract. The objective of this paper is the assessment of bioclimatic conditions in Sebia. A special emphasis has been given to the heat budget bioclimatic Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) whose purpose is to evaluate degree of thermal stress that human body is exposed to during the last twenty years. In addition, the thresholds of daily maximum temperatures are analysed in order to identify increase and frequency of heat waves in Serbia. For this research, daily and hourly (07 h and 14 h) meteorological data from 3 weather station (Mt. Zlatibor, Novi Sad, Niš) are collected for the period 1998–2017. The results show that the most frequent UTCI heat stress categories are strong heat stress and very strong heat stress. The most extreme heat waves events are occurred in 2007, 2012, 2015 and 2017. Moreover, there were three Heat wave events (HWE) in Niš occurred in July, 2007 lasting 3, 10 and 4 days in row. Heat wave events (HWE) In July 2007 (10 days) and July 2012 (9 days) in Niš are occurrences with maximum number of days in row recorded.

scholarly journals Heat Warnings in Switzerland: Reassessing the Choice of the Current Heat Stress Index

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (15) ◽  
pp. 2684 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annkatrin Burgstall ◽  
Ana Casanueva ◽  
Sven Kotlarski ◽  
Cornelia Schwierz
Keyword(s):  
Heat Stress ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Heat Index ◽  
Stress Index ◽  
Stress Indices ◽  
Wet Bulb Globe Temperature ◽  
Human Stress ◽  
Weather Stations ◽  
Globe Temperature ◽  
Heat Stress Index

High temperatures lead to heat-related human stress and an increased mortality risk. To quantify heat discomfort and the relevant dangers, heat stress indices combine different meteorological variables such as temperature, relative humidity, radiation and wind speed. In this paper, a set of widely-used heat stress indices is analyzed and compared to the heat index currently used to issue official heat warnings in Switzerland, considering 28 Swiss weather stations for the years 1981–2017. We investigate how well warnings based on the heat index match warning days and warning periods that are calculated from alternative heat stress indices. The latter might allow for more flexibility in terms of specific warning demands and impact-based warnings. It is shown that the percentage of alternative warnings that match the official warnings varies among indices. Considering the heat index as reference, the simplified wet bulb globe temperature performs well and has some further advantages such as no lower bound and allowing for the calculation of climatological values. Yet, other indices (e.g., with higher dependencies on humidity) can have some added value, too. Thus, regardless of the performance in terms of matches, the optimal index to use strongly depends on the purpose of the warning.

scholarly journals Analysis of the Universal Thermal Climate Index during heat waves in Serbia

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (7) ◽  
pp. 2021-2036
Author(s):  
Milica M. Pecelj ◽  
Milica Z. Lukić ◽  
Dejan J. Filipović ◽  
Branko M. Protić ◽  
Uroš M. Bogdanović
Keyword(s):  
Heat Stress ◽  
Heat Wave ◽  
Heat Waves ◽  
Meteorological Data ◽  
Climate Index ◽  
Daily Maximum ◽  
Universal Thermal Climate Index ◽  
Bioclimatic Index ◽  
Thermal Climate ◽  
Heat Hazard

Abstract. The objective of this paper is to assess the bioclimatic conditions in Serbia during summer in order to identify biothermal heat hazard. Special emphasis is placed on the bioclimatic index UTCI (Universal Thermal Climate Index), whose purpose is to evaluate the degree of thermal stress that the human body is exposed to. For this research, mean daily and hourly (07:00 and 14:00 CET) meteorological data from three weather stations (Zlatibor, Novi Sad and Niš) have been collected for the period from 1998 to 2017. In order to identify patterns of biothermal heat stress conditions, the thresholds of the daily UTCI (UTCI ≥38 ∘C, referred to as very strong heat stress, VSHS) at 14:00 CET are compared with the thresholds of daily maximum air temperature (tmax⁡≥35 ∘C, referred to as hot days, HDs), which are further termed as heat wave events (HWEs). The findings show that the UTCI heat stress category “very strong heat stress“ at 14:00 CET indicates heat waves. The most extreme heat wave events occurred in 2007, 2012, 2015 and 2017. Moreover, three HWEs at Niš that occurred in July 2007 lasted 3, 10 and 4 d. HWEs and very strong heat stress events (VSHSEs) recorded in July 2007 (lasted 10 d each), 2012 (lasted 9 and 12 d) and 2015 (lasted 7 and 10 d) were of the longest duration and are considered to be the indicators of biothermal heat hazard. The daily UTCI14 h heat stress becomes more extreme in terms of severity and heat wave duration up to very strong heat stress.

EFFECTS OF INONIZING RADIATION CAUSED HEAT STRESS ON THE HUMAN BODY FOR STANDARD ISO 7243

2013 ◽  
pp. 47-57
Author(s):  
Van Trong Le ◽  
Thi Tuyet Mai Nguyen ◽  
Thi Xuan Duyen Nguyen ◽  
Ba Luan Nguyen ◽  
Tuyen Pham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heat Stress ◽  
Risk Assessments ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
Temperature Index ◽  
Wet Bulb Globe Temperature ◽  
Simple Index ◽  
Simple Tool ◽  
Results Management ◽  
Globe Temperature ◽  
Hot Environments

Objectives: Presents heat stress Standard ISO 7243, which is based upon the wet bulb globe temperature index (WBGT), and considers its suitability for use worldwide. Materials and Methods: The WBGT index are considered and how it is used in ISO 7243 and across the world as a simple index for monitoring and assessing hot environments. Results: Management systems, involving risk assessments, that take account of context and culture, are required to ensure successful use of the standard and global applicability. For use outdoors, a WBGT equation that includes solar absorptivity is recommended. A ‘clothed WBGT’ is proposed to account for the effects of clothing. Conclusion: ISO 7243 is a simple tool to assess the heat stress and may be applicated worldwide.

scholarly journals Social media reveal ecoregional variation in how weather influences visitor behavior in U.S. National Park Service units

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily J. Wilkins ◽  
Peter D. Howe ◽  
Jordan W. Smith
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
National Park Service ◽  
Spatial Behavior ◽  
Maximum Temperature ◽  
Daily Maximum Temperature ◽  
Daily Maximum ◽  
Daily Weather ◽  
Visitor Behavior ◽  
Park Service ◽  
The Impact

AbstractDaily weather affects total visitation to parks and protected areas, as well as visitors’ experiences. However, it is unknown if and how visitors change their spatial behavior within a park due to daily weather conditions. We investigated the impact of daily maximum temperature and precipitation on summer visitation patterns within 110 U.S. National Park Service units. We connected 489,061 geotagged Flickr photos to daily weather, as well as visitors’ elevation and distance to amenities (i.e., roads, waterbodies, parking areas, and buildings). We compared visitor behavior on cold, average, and hot days, and on days with precipitation compared to days without precipitation, across fourteen ecoregions within the continental U.S. Our results suggest daily weather impacts where visitors go within parks, and the effect of weather differs substantially by ecoregion. In most ecoregions, visitors stayed closer to infrastructure on rainy days. Temperature also affects visitors’ spatial behavior within parks, but there was not a consistent trend across ecoregions. Importantly, parks in some ecoregions contain more microclimates than others, which may allow visitors to adapt to unfavorable conditions. These findings suggest visitors’ spatial behavior in parks may change in the future due to the increasing frequency of hot summer days.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document