ASSESSMENT OF BIOCLIMATIC VARIABILITY ON REGIONAL AND LOCAL SCALES IN CENTRAL EUROPE USING UCTI

Abstract

The paper presents new approach to study spatial and temporal variability of bioclimatic conditions. The new Universal Thermal Climate Index UTCI was applied in this purpose. UTCI bases on multi-note human heat balance Fiala model and it represents heat stress in man caused by meteorological conditions. The seasonal and regional variability of bioclimate was assessed on an example of selected European cities: Kolobrzeg, Warsaw, Świeradow, Prague, Budapest, Ljubljana and Milan. Daily meteorological data (air temperature, vapour pressure, wind speed and total cloud cover) for the period 1991-2000 was used in this purpose. Annual course of UTCI values and the frequency of UTCI categories are discussed. Significant regional differences between studied cities were found. The results confirm frequent occurrence of unfavourable thermal conditions in Mediterranean region in summer months. However, heat stress was frequently observed in summer in all compared stations. Spatial variability in detail local scale was studied on the examples of selected regions of Poland (Mazovia Lowland, Warsaw). The results show that occurrence of strong heat stress depends not only on general meteorological conditions but also on land use. The greatest heat stress is observed mostly in urbanised areas especially in the central parts of cities and inside industrial districts.