Assessment of regional weather and climatic conditions as health risk factors according to the wind-cold index

Abstract

Determined the cold periods of the year in different weather and climatic conditions of the Krasnoyarsk Territory. We assessed the health risk of the population under the influence of temperature and wind speed in an open area according to the wind-cold index (which determines the comfort and discomfort of the weather). The average monthly daily, average monthly minimum temperatures and wind speeds were estimated for 10 years (2010–2019). Wind speed was assessed using the Bothford scale. In terms of ambient temperature, the cold period lasted: subarctic zone (Norilsk) — 5, moderate continental (Krasnoyarsk and Minusinsk) — 3 months. According to the wind-cold index (in terms of average temperature and wind speed), the period of severe weather in the subarctic zone lasted from 6 to 7 months a year. Three months of the year, the meteorological perception was assessed as «very» and 1 month — as «extremely cold». In the region of Krasnoyarsk, as well as in Minusinsk, the cold «uncomfortable period» was lengthened by 1 month. The health risk under the combined influence of the minimum temperature and maximum wind increased in the subarctic zone up to 8, moderate continental up to 5 (Krasnoyarsk) — 5–6 (Minusinsk) months. In the area of Norilsk, the period, assessed as «extremely cold, exposed parts of the body can be supercooled by 10 minutes,» extended by 4 months, in Krasnoyarsk such a period was possible in January, Minusinsk was recorded in January and February. In the conditions of one climatic zone (Krasnoyarsk, Minusinsk), regional features of weather and climatic characteristics (duration of cold and warm periods, temperature, wind speed, severity and duration of periods of severe weather), which can affect the well-being and state of health of the population, have been identified.