Geographia Polonica (2021) vol. 94, iss. 2

UTCI – assessment measure in human bioclimatology – 10 years of application

Articles

UTCI applications in practice (methodological questions)

Krzysztof Błażejczyk, Kuchcik Magdalena

Geographia Polonica (2021) vol. 94, iss. 2, pp. 153-165 | Full text
doi: https://doi.org/10.7163/GPol.0198

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Abstract

UTCI, although it was developed with the participation of scientists from 22 countries, it has shortcomings and people using it face various obstacles. The difficulties include wide range of issues: from different availability of meteorological data in individual countries, through the kind of air temperature which should be properly used in calculations, or the need of recalculation of wind speed. However the biggest subject concern algorithms for mean radiant temperature (Mrt) calculations, different models and programs which simplify calculations of this complex index though introduce different approximations and, as a result, many false results. The paper presents also wide range of UTCI applications in urban bioclimate studies and bioclimatic mapping, climate-human health researches and biometeorological forecasts which were the primary purpose of the index creation, but also applications in tourism and recreation or even in bioclimate change analysis.

Keywords: problems with UTCI in use, data bases, mean radiant temperature, mapping, human health

Krzysztof Błażejczyk [k.blaz@twarda.pan.pl], Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda 51/55, 00‑818 Warszawa, Poland
Kuchcik Magdalena [mkuchcik@twarda.pan.pl], Instytut Geografii i Przestrzennego Zagospodarowania im. S. Leszczyckiego PAN

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

Katarzyna Lindner-Cendrowska, Peter Bröde

Geographia Polonica (2021) vol. 94, iss. 2, pp. 167-182 | Full text
doi: https://doi.org/10.7163/GPol.0199

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Abstract

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 demonstratethat the UTCI adjustment procedure provides well-balanced assessments of bioclimatic conditions for the purpose of climatic treatment considering the level of activity.

Keywords: UTCI, thermal comfort, metabolic heat production, climatic therapy, health resorts

Katarzyna Lindner-Cendrowska [klindner@twarda.pan.pl], Instytut Geografii i Przestrzennego Zagospodarowania im. S. Leszczyckiego PAN
Peter Bröde [broede@ifado.de], Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors at TU Dortmund (IfADo) Ardeystrasse 67, 44139 Dortmund: Germany

The stimuli of thermal environment defined according to UTCI in Poland

Magdalena Kuchcik, Krzysztof Błażejczyk, Agnieszka Halaś

Geographia Polonica (2021) vol. 94, iss. 2, pp. 183-200 | Full text
doi: https://doi.org/10.7163/GPol.0200

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Abstract

The assessment of thermal stress stimuli in Poland was based on the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI). Daily values of UTCI at 24 stations selected to represent the whole area of Poland at 12:00 UTC were calculated over the period 1951-2018. Various UTCI characteristics, i.e., spatial averages of daily, monthly and annual values, daily spatial contrasts (i.e., the difference between daily highest and lowest UTCI values) were defined in each of 8 bioclimatic regions of Poland. Ten-year trends for UTCI and spatial contrast values were counted and their statistical significance was analysed. A statistically significant increase in UTCI values was found in all the regions of Poland. However, contrasts in thermal stress both for Poland as a whole and in most of the regions decreased significantly, especially in the north-east of Poland, the country’s coldest region. This indicatesa reduction in the stimuli of thermal environment in Poland and in most of the individual regions.

Keywords: thermal stress, climate change, long series data, regionalization, spatial contrasts, Universal Thermal Climate Index

Magdalena Kuchcik [mkuchcik@twarda.pan.pl], Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda 51/55, 00‑818 Warszawa, Poland
Krzysztof Błażejczyk [k.blaz@twarda.pan.pl], Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda 51/55, 00‑818 Warszawa, Poland
Agnieszka Halaś [aj.halas@twarda.pan.pl]

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

Milica Pecelj, Anna Błażejczyk, Nemanja Vagić, Peca Ivanović

Geographia Polonica (2021) vol. 94, iss. 2, pp. 201-222 | Full text
doi: https://doi.org/10.7163/GPol.0201

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Abstract

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.

Keywords: biothermal conditions, UTCI, very strong heat stress, very strong cold stress, Vranje

Milica Pecelj [milicapecelj@gmail.com], Geographical Institute Serbian Academy of Science and Arts Djure Jakšića 9, 11000 Belgrade: Serbia; Faculty of Philosophy University of East Sarajevo Alekse Šantića 1, 71420, Pale, RS: Bosnia and Herzegovina
Anna Błażejczyk [anna@blazejczyk.eu], Laboratory of Bioclimatology and Environmental Ergonomics Bioklimatologia Łukowska 17/55, 04-133 Warszawa, Poland
Nemanja Vagić [vagic@live.com], Faculty of Geography University of Belgrade Studentski trg 3, 11000, Belgrade: Serbia
Peca Ivanović [peca.ivanovic@yahoo.com], School of Electrical Engineering University of Belgrade Bulevar kralja Aleksandra 73, 11120, Belgrade: Serbia

Thermal stress in selected mountain system in Central and Eastern Europe – initial research based on UTCI characteristics

Krzysztof Błażejczyk, Milica Pecelj, Pavol Nejedlik, Olesya Skrynyk, Katarina Mikulova

Geographia Polonica (2021) vol. 94, iss. 2, pp. 223-236 | Full text
doi: https://doi.org/10.7163/GPol.0202

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Abstract

Mountain areas create specific features of local climates (by modification of air circulation, insolation, air temperature, precipitation, wind regime) and greatly affect ambient weather conditions which influence different kinds of human (climbing, skiing, walking, etc.). However, till now only few studies of human bioclimate in individual mountain ridges in Europe were done. The aim of the present study is to assess thermal stress features represented by Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) in nine mountain systems in Central and Eastern Europe. 37 meteorological stations located at altitudes of 237-3580 m above sea level were considered.The data represent midday observational term and cover the period 2000-2017. Mean, highest and lowest annual thermal stress values and annual frequency of cold and heat stress days are analysed The conducted studies have demonstrated that in the examined mountain systems thermal stress conditions are dependent (though to a various extent) mostly on altitude (UTCI values and heat stress days decrease and number of cold stress days rise significantly due to increase of altitude). However, impacts of latitude and longitude is well seen only in altitude belt of 300-1000 m a.s.l.

Keywords: human bioclimate, UTCI, mountain tourism potential, Central Europe, Eastern Europe

Krzysztof Błażejczyk [k.blaz@twarda.pan.pl], Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda 51/55, 00‑818 Warszawa, Poland
Milica Pecelj [milicapecelj@gmail.com], Geographical Institute Serbian Academy of Science and Arts Djure Jakšića 9, 11000 Belgrade: Serbia; Faculty of Philosophy University of East Sarajevo Alekse Šantića 1, 71420, Pale, RS: Bosnia and Herzegovina
Pavol Nejedlik [nejedlik@yahoo.com], Earth Science Institute Slovak Academy of Science Dubravska cesta 9, 84005 Bratislava: Slovakia
Olesya Skrynyk [skrynyk@nubip.edu.ua], National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine Heroyiv Oborony, 15 Kyiv: Ukraine; Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Institute, Nauky 37 Kyiv: Ukraine
Katarina Mikulova [katarina.mikulova@shmu.sk], Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute Jeseniova 15, 833 15 Bratislava: Slovakia

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

Martin Novak

Geographia Polonica (2021) vol. 94, iss. 2, pp. 237-249 | Full text
doi: https://doi.org/10.7163/GPol.0203

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Abstract

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.

Keywords: numerical weather prediction, UTCI, human biometeorology, thermal comfort/discomfort, weather station, biometeorological forecast

Martin Novak [martin.novak@chmi.cz], Czech Hydrometeorological Institute Kočkovská 18, 400 11 Ústí nad Labem: Czech Republic

The influence of air temperature diversity in Central Europe on the occurrence of very strong and extreme cold stress in Poland in winter months

Małgorzata Owczarek

Geographia Polonica (2021) vol. 94, iss. 2, pp. 251-266 | Full text
doi: https://doi.org/10.7163/GPol.0204

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Abstract

The aim of this research was to illustrate the relationship between the occurrence of very strong and extreme cold stress among human beings under the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) across Poland and large-scale near-surface air temperature over the central part of Europe. The statistical downscaling procedure of canonical correlation analysis (CCA) with respect to the period between 1971 and 2000 was applied to extract the main modes of large-scale factors and their local responses. The greatest frequency of occurrence of the discussed cold stress exceeded 35% in January. Most of the variance (39-44%) of the local field in each winter month is explained by the first coupled canonical maps. The main patterns of large-scale field show negative anomalies of monthly mean air temperature in central Europe from -1°C up to -3°C. It can indicate an increase in frequency of the occurrence of analysed cold stress categories throughout the entire area of Poland, by 2% to even over 10%, depending on the region. The best quality model was obtained in eastern Poland, especially in the north-east and south-west of Poland.

Keywords: bioclimate, Poland, cold stress, The Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI), air temperature, canonical correlation

Małgorzata Owczarek [malgorzata.owczarek@ug.edu.pl], Faculty of Oceanography and Geography University of Gdańsk Bażyńskiego 4, 80-309 Gdańsk: Poland

Tourism climate conditions in the Western Sudetes (Poland) in relation to UTCI

Bartłomiej Miszuk

Geographia Polonica (2021) vol. 94, iss. 2, pp. 267-282 | Full text
doi: https://doi.org/10.7163/GPol.0205

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Abstract

The region of Western Sudetes is one of the most popular tourist areas in Poland. Simultaneously, it is also characterized by significant variability in terms of climate conditions. Therefore, the main goal of the analysis was to evaluate variability in heat stress frequency according to UTCI and examine how it corresponds to the results of the tourism-climate index (WSI). The results for both indices, for 1971-2015 data, showed significant differences between the summit and the lower located mountain zones. Analysis on multiannual trends of UTCI classes showed significant increase in the frequency of thermoneutral conditions and decreasing tendencyfor cold stress categories.

Keywords: bioclimate, Sudetes, UTCI, WSI

Bartłomiej Miszuk [bartlomiej.miszuk@imgw.pl], Institute of Meteorology and Water Management National Research Institute ul. Parkowa 30, 51-616 Wrocław: Poland

Bioclimatic conditions and thermal seasons of the year in Szczecin

Agnieszka Mąkosza

Geographia Polonica (2021) vol. 94, iss. 2, pp. 283-299 | Full text
doi: https://doi.org/10.7163/GPol.0206

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Abstract

Climate change is an empirical fact evidenced by subsequent IPCC reports. The observed climate change is also manifested in the altered date of occurrence and duration of the seasons in a year. Variability of thermal conditions due to climate warming will have its toll on the bioclimatic conditions. The assessment of bioclimatic conditions was conducted with the use of Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI). The present elaboration is based on hourly values of the following meteorological elements: air temperature, relative air humidity, wind speed and cloud cover. The meteorological data were obtained from the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management – National Research Institute (IMGW-PIB) in Szczecin and cover the period 2000-2019.Variability of bioclimatic conditions is considered per periods corresponding to thermal seasons of the yearas identified by the Gumiński (1948) method on the basis of monthly air temperature values. The analysedUTCI values with respect to thermal seasons indicate that mean UTCI values in the period 2000-2019 representative for thermal summer amount to 22.6°C, thermal spring 9,9°C, thermal autumn 8.4°C, thermal winter-10.4°C, early spring -4.6°C, and early winter -7.9°C. For the periods with identified lack of thermal winter, mean UTCI value was -6.6°C. The aim of the present paper is an attempt to assess the variability of biothermal conditions as calculated using the UTCI index against the thermal seasons of the year in Szczecin.

Keywords: UTCI, weather perception, thermal seasons, biothermal stress

Agnieszka Mąkosza [agnieszka.makosza@zut.edu.pl], Department of Environmental Management West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin Papieża Pawła VI 3A, 71-459 Szczecin: Poland