Search results

1

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

100%

Dobek M., Wereski S., Krzyżewska A.

Miscellanea Geographica. Regional Studies on Development

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2020

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vol. 24

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issue 3

118-127

EN

The 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.

2

Principles of the new Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) and its application to bioclimatic research in European scale

100%

Błażejczyk K., Broede P., Fiala D., Havenith G., Holmer I., Jendritzky G., Kampmann B., Kunert A.

Miscellanea Geographica. Regional Studies on Development

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2010

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vol. 14

91-102

EN

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.

3

Thermal stress in the northern Carpathians and air circulation

100%

Błażejczyk K., Nejedlik P., Skrynyk O., Halaś A., Skrynyk O., Baranowski J., Mikulova K.

Miscellanea Geographica. Regional Studies on Development

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2020

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vol. 24

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issue 3

147-160

EN

In mountain areas, air circulation plays a major role in the forming of the climate. This paper examines how it influences thermal stress in the northern Carpathians. The Niedźwiedź’s classification of air circulation was applied. Thermal stress was assessed by Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI). Daily meteorological and circulation data for the period 1986–2015 were used for 20 stations in Poland, Slovakia and Ukraine. Air circulation was found to have a significant impact on thermal stress. The highest UTCI values are observed at Ca+Ka (centre of the high and anticyclonic wedge or ridge of high pressure) and the lowest values at N+NE and W+NW circulation; at the Southward stations, UTCI is higher than in the Northward ones; thermoneutral days are more frequent on the southward than on the northward slopes; during N+NE, E+SE and W+NW circulation and for heat stress days, the greatest thermal privilege of the southward slopes is observed at E+SE, S+SW, Ca+Ka and Cc+Bc (centre of low and through of low pressure) types of circulation.

4

Bioclimatic conditions of Paris, Rome and Budapest on the basis of the universal thermal climate index

88%

Idzikowska D.

Miscellanea Geographica. Regional Studies on Development

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2010

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vol. 14

103-109

EN

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.

5

Intensity of heat stress in 2015 and 2018 summer seasons in the region of the Lower Silesia (Poland)

88%

Miszuk B.

Miscellanea Geographica. Regional Studies on Development

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2020

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vol. 24

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issue 3

138-146

EN

The main goal of this paper was to assess the intensity of heat stress in Lower Silesia, Poland, during selected weather events characterized by high air temperatures. The complex impact of weather on the thermal load of the human organism is presented using the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI). The analysis was carried out for the 2015 and 2018 summer seasons and compared with the multiannual period of 1971–2018. It was based on meteorological data from the IMGW-PIB stations of Wrocław, Jelenia Góra and Śnieżka. In order to examine how heat conditions affect UTCI in different geographical regions, stations located at different altitudes and representing the lowlands, the lower mountain zone and the summit zone of the Sudetes Mountains were considered. The research showed that during the most extreme thermal events, UTCI values in the lowlands and the lower mountain zones can be among the highest heat stress classes. In the summit zone, the maximum UTCI values are usually classed as ‘no thermal stress’.

6

UTCI field measurements in an urban park in Florence (Italy)

88%

Petralli M., Massetti L., Pearlmutter D., Brandani G., Messeri A., Orlandini S.

Miscellanea Geographica. Regional Studies on Development

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2020

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vol. 24

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issue 3

111-117

EN

The aim of this study is to evaluate human thermal comfort in different green area settings in the city of Florence by using the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI). Field measurements of air temperature, solar radiation, relative humidity, wind speed and black globe thermometer were collected during hot summer days in various parts of Cascine Park, the biggest urban park in Florence (Italy). UTCI was evaluated over different surfaces (asphalt, gravel and grass) completely exposed to the sun or shaded by a large lime tree (Tilia × europaea). The results showed strong differences in UTCI values depending on the exposure to tree shade, while no significant difference was found among ground-cover materials when all surfaces were equally exposed to solar radiation. Future studies are needed to investigate the microclimatic effects of different tree species on UTCI.

7

Winter UTCI variability in Poland in the 21st century

75%

Wereski S., Krzyżewska A., Dobek M.

Miscellanea Geographica. Regional Studies on Development

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2020

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vol. 24

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issue 3

128-137

EN

The study analyses spatial and temporal variability of the UTCI index during winter seasons in Poland in the 21st century. The most frequent UTCI thermal stress category was moderate cold stress with a frequency varying from 45.8% in Łeba (Coastal region) to 66.1% in Zielona Góra (Central region). In mountain areas, this class was less frequent (7.3-12.3%). The second most frequent class was strong cold stress with values from 11.1% in Zakopane (Carpathian region) to 43.4% in Suwałki (North-East region). In mountain areas, very strong cold stress and extreme cold stress occurred frequently (25.0-35.5% and 17.7-52.0%, respectively). Few cases of extreme cold stress were observed on other Polish stations. Thermoneutral zone was not recorded in the mountain area, although on other Polish stations its frequency ranged from 0.1% in Chojnice, Suwałki and Białystok located in northern part of Poland to 4.3% in Zakopane (Carpathian region).

8

Heat stress and occupational health and safety – spatial and temporal differentiation

75%

Błażejczyk K., Baranowski J., Błażejczyk A.

Miscellanea Geographica. Regional Studies on Development

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2014

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vol. 18

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issue 1

61-67

EN

Evidence of climatic health hazards on the general population has been discussed in many studies but limited focus is placed on developing a relationship between climate and its effects on occupational health. Long working hours with high physical activity can cause health problems for workers ranging from mild heat cramps to severe heat stroke leading to death. The paper presents the possible risk of heat hazard to outdoor workers, using the example of Warsaw. The heat stress hazard, defined by WBGT values above 26 and 28°C and UTCI above 32 and 38°C, is assessed from two perspectives: its spatial distribution on a local scale and its temporal changes during the 21st century due to climate change. City centre and industrial districts were identified as the places with the greatest heat stress hazard. The number of heat stress days in a year (as predicted for the 21st century) is increasing, meaning that heat-related illnesses are more likely to have a direct impact on workers’ health.

9

Impact of atmospheric circulation on the occurrence of very strong and extreme cold stress in Poland

75%

Owczarek M., Tomczyk A. M.

Quaestiones Geographicae

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2022

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vol. 41

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issue 3

111-126

EN

The primary objective of the study was the determination of the spatial and multiannual variability of occurrence of days with very strong and extreme cold stress in Poland according to the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI), as well as determination of baric conditions favouring their occurrence. The study was based on data from the years 1966/67 to 2018/19 from the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management – National Research Institute and National Centre for Environmental Prediction/National Centre for Atmospheric Research (NCEP/NCAR). The research showed a statistically significant decrease in the number of days with very strong and extreme cold stress on half of the analysed stations, and a slight tendency or no changes on the remaining stations. The occurrence of days with extreme cold stress in Poland, as revealed by the analysis was primarily related to the presence of high-pressure systems blocking zonal circulation. The study resulted in the designation of three circulation types, i.e. two types related to anticyclonic systems and one cyclonic type.

10

Wybrane zagadnienia z bioklimatu Lublina

63%

Dobek M., Krzyżewska A.

Annales Universitatis Mariae Curie-Sklodowska, sectio B – Geographia, Geologia, Mineralogia et Petrographia

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2015

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vol. 70

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issue 2

EN

The aim of this paper is to elaborate the bioclimatic conditions in Lublin in the years 1952–2010. For this purpose the cooling air power and the latest indicator of the thermal load of the human body Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) were studied.According to bioclimatic index air cooling power (H) conditions considered as comfort conditions (mild and pleasantly cool) occurred with total frequency of 41%. In the years 1952–2010 there was a slight decrease of percentage of cold conditions (unbearably cold and windy and cold). In the years 1952–2010 thermoneutral zone was the most often occurring conditions from UTCI scale (39% of days). Despite the year-to-year differences during long-term course there are no significant changes. The biggest changes are visible at the beginning of the 70’s, when the share of conditions connected to the heat stress increased and the share of classes connected with cold stress decreased.

PL

Praca ma na celu opracowanie warunków bioklimatycznych Lublina w latach 1951-2010. W tym celu wykorzystano wielkość ochładzającą powietrza, a także najnowszy wskaźnik obciążeń cieplnych organizmu człowieka Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI).Według wskaźnika bioklimatycznego wielkość ochładzająca powietrza (H) warunki uznawane za komfortowe, czyli „łagodnie” i „przyjemnie chłodno”, pojawiały się łącznie z częstością 41%. W latach 1951-2010 nastąpił niewielki spadek udziału procentowego odczuć chłodu („nieznośnie zimno i wietrznie”, „bardzo zimno” i „zimno”).W latach 1951-2010 najczęściej występujące wielkości UTCI należały do klasy „brak obciążeń cieplnych” (39% dni). Pomimo różnic częstości z roku na rok, w przebiegu wieloletnim nie obserwuje się istotnych tendencji zmian. Największe zmiany widoczne są na początku lat 70-tych, kiedy zwiększył się udział odczuć związanych ze stresem ciepła, natomiast klasy odczuć zimna pojawiały się rzadziej.

11

Bioklimat wybranych miast pasa Pobrzeży Południowobałtyckich na podstawie uniwersalnego wskaźnika obciążenia cieplnego

63%

Półrolniczak M., Szyga-Pluta K., Kolendowicz L.

Acta Geographica Lodziensia

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2016

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vol. 104

147-161

PL

W niniejszej pracy, na podstawie wskaźnika UTCI (Universal Thermal Climate Index), analizowano warunki bioklimatyczne wybranych miast w pasie Pobrzeży Południowobałtyckich. Dodatkowo, na podstawie danych z reanaliz meteorologicznych NCEP/NCAR dotyczących ciśnienia atmosferycznego na poziomie morza oraz wysokości geopotencjalnej 500 hPa, ustalono charakterystyczne typy sytuacji synoptycznych, które odpowiadają za wystąpienie warunków z ekstremalnie gorącym i zimnym obciążeniem organizmu człowieka. Analiza częstości dni według kategorii UTCI wykazała, że w badanych miastach w ciągu roku najczęściej pojawiają się warunki z brakiem obciążeń cieplnych organizmu człowieka, natomiast spośród dni z warunkami obciążającymi przeważają te ze stresem zimna. Badanie trendów wieloletnich wykazało statystycznie istotny wzrost wartości wskaźnika UTCI w roku i sezonach. Analiza trendów dni wg kategorii wskaźnika UTCI wykazała wzrost liczby dni z warunkami stresu ciepła i stresu zimna w Świnoujściu i Łebie oraz stresu ciepła w Kołobrzegu i zimna w Helu.

EN

The paper addresses the bioclimatic conditions of selected towns of the southern part of the Polish Baltic Coast on the basis of the UTCI index. Moreover, the authors, by using observational data from coastline stations, as well as reanalysis data of the mean sea level pressure and the 500 hPa geopotential height from the NCEP/NCAR, attempt to explain which synoptic situations are conductive to the occurrence of days with very strong and extreme cold or heat stress. The research proved that the lack of thermal stress occurs most frequently. Among days with aggravating conditions days with the cold stress category appear most frequently. The study of long-term trends showed a statistically significant increase in the value of the UTCI index in the year and seasons. An analysis of days by the UTCI index category trends showed an increase in the number of days with conditions of both heat and cold stress in Świnoujście and Łeba, heat stress in Kołobrzeg and cold stress in Hel.

Refine search results

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

Principles of the new Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) and its application to bioclimatic research in European scale

Thermal stress in the northern Carpathians and air circulation

Bioclimatic conditions of Paris, Rome and Budapest on the basis of the universal thermal climate index

Intensity of heat stress in 2015 and 2018 summer seasons in the region of the Lower Silesia (Poland)

UTCI field measurements in an urban park in Florence (Italy)

Winter UTCI variability in Poland in the 21st century

Heat stress and occupational health and safety – spatial and temporal differentiation

Impact of atmospheric circulation on the occurrence of very strong and extreme cold stress in Poland

Wybrane zagadnienia z bioklimatu Lublina

Bioklimat wybranych miast pasa Pobrzeży Południowobałtyckich na podstawie uniwersalnego wskaźnika obciążenia cieplnego