Climatic controls of the cool human thermal sensation in a summertime onshore wind

Abstract

Afternoon observations in summer comparing shoreline with inland atmospheric conditions were made during onshore winds at Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. The onshore wind came from a cool water surface. Mean monthly water temperatures near to shore were between 11 and 11.5 degrees C. The onshore wind brought lower air, ground surface radiant and sky radiant temperatures; lower humidity and greater wind speed. All of these combine to produce a cooler human environment at the shoreline than inland. The relative importance of climatic elements in producing the cooler environment was assessed using sensitivity analyses with eight different human thermal exchange models/indices. Air temperature and wind speed had the greatest effect, followed by ground surface radiant temperature, sky radiant temperature and humidity. Wind speed is the most practical element to consider when trying to maximize human comfort along the shoreline.