Climate Maps Research Articles

Climate change and mapping hazard risk and vulnerability in mountain ecosystem: A case study of Himachal Himalaya

The Himalayas represents a vast mountain system and is globally valued for their significant role in the regulation of global as well as the regional climate that has a direct impact on biodiversity and ecosystem services crucial for the sustenance of millions of people in the Himalayas and adjoining areas. Climate change in the Himalayan region has implications for food production, natural ecosystems, the retreat of glaciers, water supply, human and animal health and overall human well-being. There is a severe gap in the dissemination of knowledge of the short and long-term implications of climate change in the Himalayas and in downstream. An introspection of the status of the vulnerability of the Western Himalayan ecosystem to climate change due to ecological fragility, scarcity of resources and increase in disaster occurrence shows a need to strengthen local knowledge, innovations, and practices within social and ecological systems as well as strengthening the functioning of institutions relevant for adaptation. The study is useful to policy makers to design appropriate adaptation strategies to cope with the impacts of climate changes in the area.

Implication of climate changes on design of structures

The climatic data on which the current generation of the Eurocodes are based are mostly about 20 years old, with some exceptions of recent updates at a national level. The second generation of the Eurocodes for structural design is expected to be nationally implemented within next few years and operational National Annexes should be subsequently developed and the climatic maps revised. Some models for extreme climate actions are still missing within Eurocodes including wind action effects due to non-synoptic storms, which are common in most of the world and are of increasing importance in Europe.The aim of this contribution is to analyse how the impact of anticipated changes in European climate could affect the assessment of design weather parameters, including the partial factor design approach for structures according to Eurocodes, based on current knowledge concerning projectionmodels of future climate in Europe.

The species composition of local flea assemblages at a small scale in two South American regions is predominantly driven by niche-based mechanisms.

We applied a step-down factor analysis (SDFA) and multi-site generalised dissimilarity modelling (MS-GDM) to local flea communities harboured by small mammals (i.e., collected at small sampling sites over a short time period) in two South American regions (Patagonia and the Northwestern Argentina) with the aim of understanding whether these communities were assembled via niche-based or dispersal-based processes. The SDFA allows us to determine whether clusters of flea assemblages across different types of climates, vegetation and soils can be distinguished (suggesting niche-based assembly). MS-GDM allows us to determine whether a substantial proportion of the variation in flea species turnover is explained by specific climate-associated, vegetation-associated and soil-associated variables (indicating niche-based assembly) or host turnover (indicating dispersal-based assembly). Mapping of assemblages on climate, vegetation and soil maps, according to their loadings on axis 1 or axis 2 of the SDFA, did not provide clear-cut results. Clusters of similar loadings could be recognized within some, but not other, climate, vegetation and soil types. However, MS-GDM demonstrated that the effect of environmental variables (especially air temperature) on flea compositional turnover was much stronger than that of host turnover, indicating the predominance of niche-based processes in local community assembly. A comparison of our results with those on the mechanisms that drive species assembly in regional communities allows us to conclude that local and regional communities result from the joint action of niche-based and dispersal-based processes, with the former more important at a smaller spatial scale and the latter at a larger spatial scale.

Contemporary Climate Change and Its Hydrological Consequence in the Volga Federal District, European Russia

An analysis of spatiotemporal variability of air temperature and precipitation in the Volga Federal District (European Russia) between 1966 and 2021 was carried out. Based on data from 20 meteorological stations, relatively evenly located on the territory under consideration, the spatial distribution of average monthly and average annual air temperatures and monthly and annual precipitation was assessed; some indicators of the temporal variability of these variables in the period under consideration were calculated and analyzed. It was revealed that throughout the Volga Federal District, there was a tendency of climate warming in all months, and a slight increase in annual precipitation, except for the southeast of the district, where the precipitation trend was negative. It is noted that in the period 1955–1998, the number of negative air temperature anomalies was approximately equal to the number of positive ones; however, in the later period 1999–2021, the number of positive anomalies significantly exceeded the number of negative ones. Based on reanalysis data, climatic maps of vaporization and runoff in the Volga Federal District during 1966–2021 were created. The dependence of air temperature fluctuations on the nature of atmospheric circulation was revealed using the NAO, AO, and SCAND indices. On the example of the central part of the district (Republic of Tatarstan), some increase in summer aridity of the climate was revealed by using Budyko’s dryness index, Selyaninov’s hydrothermal coefficient, and Sapozhnikov’s humidification coefficient. The indicators of runoff and evaporation were also calculated using the methods of Schreiber and Ivanov. Against the background of the positive trend in vaporization rates, favorable conditions for a decrease in runoff were noted.

A comparative study of paranasal sinus and nasal cavity anatomic variations between the Polish and Turkish Cypriot Population with CBCT

BackgroundGenetic and environmental factors especially climatic conditions are thought to influence the shape and size of the paranasal sinuses and anatomic variations may create both a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. However, no study has been published about the climatic adaptation of the paranasal sinus region in different populations. This study aimed to compare the prevalence of anatomical variants in the paranasal sinus and nasal cavity using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) between Polish and Turkish Cypriot populations.MethodsThe material consisted of volumes acquired utilizing Galileos (Sirona, Germany) as well as Newtom 3G (QR Verona, Newtom, Italy) CBCT units. There were examined 356 Polish and 359 Turkish Cypriot patients in whom paranasal sinuses were included in the field of view. Paranasal sinus anatomic variations were assessed in both populations.ResultsIn the Polish population, the most common anatomic variation was septum deviation followed by the Agger nasi cell and concha bullosa with a prevalence of 87.7%, 83.2%, and 54.8% respectively. For the Turkish Cypriot population, the most common anatomic variation was Agger nasi cell followed by concha bullosa and supraorbital ethmoid cells with a prevalence of 81.6%, 68%, and 57.8% respectively. Many anatomic variations were found to show substantial differences among both populations. Incidence rates of hyperpneumatization of the frontal sinus, septum pneumatization, supraorbital ethmoid cells, concha bullosa, uncinate bulla, and internal carotid artery protrusion into the sphenoid sinus were significantly higher in the Turkish Cypriot group, while the incidence of Haller cell, frontal sinus hypoplasia, maxillary sinus hypoplasia, ethmomaxillary sinus, sphenomaxillary plate, and septum deviation were significantly higher in Polish population.ConclusionAccording to the Köppen-Geiger world climatic map, the climate is warmer and drier in Turkish Cypriote populations than in the Polish population. These climatic differences influence the paranasal sinus variations between the Turkish Cypriot and Polish populations that must be taken into account by rhinologic surgeons especially when performing frontal and sphenoid sinus surgery.

Meteorological zoning strategy for high-density cities based on urban climatic map

There is a clear link between the climate of a settlement and its potential sustainability. The development of cities should pay attention to the local geographic and topographic characteristics and the advantages (disadvantages) it brings, using as little artificial energy consumption as possible to improve the urban environment and the comfort of buildings. Environmental climate map is one of the important tools for urban meteorological zoning, which can play an effective technical support role for ecological planning and design of cities, especially high-density cities. This paper describes the meteorological characteristics of high-density cities and proposes the application of ambient climate map in heat island ventilation zoning and color zoning of high-density cities, aiming to provide research ideas for ecological zoning of high-density cities.

Future runoff assessment under climate change and land-cover alteration scenarios: a case study of the Zayandeh-Roud dam upstream watershed

Abstract In this study, hydrological responses to climate change and land-cover alteration on future runoff in the Zayandeh-Roud dam upstream watershed were assessed. In this regard, land-use maps in 1996, 2008, 2018, and 2033 were generated using Landsat time-series (TM and OLI), Support-Vector Machine (SVM), and the CA-Markov chain model, for analysing the effects of land-cover alteration on future runoff. Second, the Global Circulation Model (GCM) scenario time-series under RCP 2.6 and RCP 8.5 scenarios were downscaled to evaluate the impacts of climate change on future streamflow. Eventually, the HEC-HMS model was calibrated (1996–2018) for evaluating the impacts of climate and land-use map changes. Results showed that the percentage of the urban area and farmland in 2033 compared to 2018 were expected to grow by 0.1 and 2.39% upstream of the Eskandari station and 0.05 and 0.71% upstream of the Ghale-Shahrokh station, respectively, although the percentage of the barren area was expected to remain almost unchanged in both regions. The future stream flow of Eskandari and Ghale-Shahrokh stations in 2033 was expected to decrease by 57–63 MCM (for RCP 2.6 and RCP 8.5) and 295–403 MCM, respectively, where 68–72% and 79–86% were expected to decrease under climate change scenarios and remains are due to land-cover alteration.

The fast‐changing climate reality of Arequipa, Peru

AbstractDespite the availability of global and continental climate datasets and climate change information, locally relevant quantification of historic trends in climate variables is still lacking in developing countries, especially at local scales. This is particularly true in the Department of Arequipa, Peru. An arid region with a booming population, substantial mining activities, and large irrigated agriculture, which is highly susceptible to climate change. This study aims to evaluate climate trends from 1988 to 2017 in the Arequipa Department and provide information that can facilitate stakeholders' adaptation to the rapid‐changing climate. The daily precipitation (Prec), and maximum (Tmax) and minimum (Tmin) daily air temperature data used in this study came from the Servicio Nacional de Meteorología e Hidrología del Perú (SENAMHI) and the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Global Summary of the Day (GSOD). Data passed through a quality checking process for removal of implausible data, data gap filling, and inhomogeneity detection. The Mann–Kendall test, at a significance level of 0.10, was used to determine trends and the Theil–Sen slope (Sen's slope) was used to estimate the magnitude of the change. Sen's slope was also calculated spatially, using the gridded Arequipa Climate Maps (ACM) dataset. Results indicate that precipitation seasonality has been increasing, as the observed increase in annual precipitation is happening mostly in the rainy season (December–March) and the start and end of the rainy season are delayed. Positive temperature trends were dominant in the whole region. Tmin is increasing more than Tmax, especially at higher altitudes. Exceptions to increasing temperatures were found in areas influenced by irrigation projects that underwent great expansion. The effect of increasing temperature on glaciers was evaluated by mapping the change in the area with average annual temperature below 0°C between the decades of 1988–1997 and 2008–2017, which reduced by 73.2%, with small areas disappearing and larger contiguous areas shrinking.

Mapping Climate Parameters over the Territory of Botswana Using GMT and Gridded Surface Data from TerraClimate

This articles presents a new series of maps showing the climate and environmental variability of Botswana. Situated in southern Africa, Botswana has an arid to semi-arid climate, which significantly varies in its different regions: Kalahari Desert, Makgadikgadi Pan and Okavango Delta. While desert regions are prone to droughts and periods of extreme heat during the summer months, other regions experience heavy downpours, as well as episodic and unpredictable rains that affect agricultural activities. Such climatic variations affect social and economic aspects of life in Botswana. This study aimed to visualise the non-linear correlations between the topography and climate setting at the country’s scale. Variables included T °C min, T °C max, precipitation, soil moisture, evapotranspiration (PET and AET), downward surface shortwave radiation, vapour pressure and vapour pressure deficit (VPD), wind speed and Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI). The dataset was taken from the TerraClimate source and GEBCO for topographic mapping. The mapping approach included the use of Generic Mapping Tools (GMT), a console-based scripting toolset, which enables the use of a scripting method of automated mapping. Several GMT modules were used to derive a set of climate parameters for Botswana. The data were supplemented with the adjusted cartographic elements and inspected by the Geospatial Data Abstraction Library (GDAL). The PDSI in Botswana in 2018 shows stepwise variation with seven areas of drought: (1) −3.7 to −2.2. (extreme); (2) −2.2 to −0.8 (strong, southern Kalahari); (3) −0.8 to 0.7 (significant, central Kalahari; (4) 0.7 to 2.1 (moderate); (5) 2.1 to 3.5 (lesser); (6) 3.5 to 4.9 (low); (7) 4.9 to 6.4 (least). The VPD has a general trend towards the south-western region (Kalahari Desert, up to 3.3), while it is lower in the north-eastern region of Botswana (up to 1.4). Other values vary respectively, as demonstrated in the presented 12 maps of climate and environmental inventory in Botswana.

Potential of Synthetizing Climatopes and Local Climate Zones for Urban Climatic Planning Recommendations: A Case Study in Toulouse, France

The urban climatic map (UCMap) is an urban climate information tool for planning purpose commonly used in German-speaking countries while local climate zone (LCZ) scheme is developed to link the characteristics urban climate and urban morphology at the city level world widely. These two frameworks differ with each other on the aspect of data sources, classification standards, and planning implementation. This study explores the potential of integrating these two complementary frameworks to identify problematic hot spots and propose some generic urban planning recommendations according to current urban climate standards. To address this issue, the Toulouse Metropole area is taken as a case study; a hybrid Climatope-LCZ map is derived by synthetizing the classification of climatopes, based on the German standard (VDI 3787-Part 1), and LCZs at equivalent spatial positions. Furthermore, the simulated meteorological data about wind and thermal environments of Toulouse Metropole during typical summer season are introduced as evidence for analyzing the mutual benefits on urban climate study and application. According to the results, both the heterogeneous urban geometric characteristics and urban climatic issues within a climatope are well identified spatially by the corresponding composition of LCZ. Likewise, the differences of thermal stress between climatopes but in the same LCZ are also clearly illustrated. Lastly, a list of urban climatic planning recommendations for LCZs is proposed followed by the guidelines in VDI 3787-Part 1. This study proves that hybrid Climatope-LCZ map offers more detailed urban climate information to planners or decision-makers than classic urban climate map framework.

Proposals for the use of graphical models in urban climatic maps

We suggest applying the chorematic methodology to the processes and issues addressed by the urban climatic mapping framework, i.e., the interdisciplinary discussion and analysis of thematic data, the production of analytic maps, and the creation of recommendation maps to advise urban planners. After introducing the method, its theoretical basis, and its process, we discuss its fitness and present the possibility of its application in this thematic context. We then suggest a first series of applications, for diurnal heat stress and nocturnal urban heat island analysis, as an example and basis for further discussions, based on recent work in the Toulouse agglomeration. We also offer graphical models to express recommendations concerning urban climate issues in Toulouse. The process used the choremes table expanded with dynamic models, according to the multi-step method proposed by H. Théry (1988). The produced models are now entering a test phase to discuss the method with urban planners.

Statistically based soil-climate exposure scenarios for aquatic pesticide fate modeling and exposure assessment in the Pampa Region of Argentina.

Although pesticides are used intensively in Argentina's Pampa region, the possibility of performing an environmental risk assessment (ERA) remains limited due to the absence of readily available databases to run pesticide fate models and the lack of standardized realistic worst-case scenarios. The aim of the present study was to further advance capacities for performing probabilistic ERAs in the Pampa region by dividing and parameterizing the region into functional soil-climate mapping units (SCU) and defining statistically based, worst-case soil-climate exposure scenarios. Results obtained demonstrate that the SCU selected for a specific modeling exercise should depend on the dissociation constant (Kd ) of the pesticide evaluated and whether short- or long-term pesticide fate modeling and risk assessment are needed. Four regionally representative SCUs were specifically identified for modeling the fate of pesticides with low, high, and intermediate values of Kd . Fate modeling of pesticides with an intermediate Kd requires the use of a different SCU for short- versus long-term pesticide modeling, whereas this distinction is not necessary for pesticides with both low and high Kd . The current definition of realistic, worst-case, soil-climate scenarios represents a crucial step toward better pesticide fate modeling and exposure assessment in Argentina's Pampa region. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2023;19:626-637. © 2022 SETAC.

Совершенствование подготовки результатов инженерно-гидрометеорологических изысканий для проектирования объектов транспортной инфраструктуры

Purpose: Peculiarities and problems that should be considered, when preparing reports on engineeringhydrometeorological research, for project documentation development. Scientific-technical support of reporting documentation on engineering research for linear objects showed the need in some cases to create climate models and maps of being studied parameters distribution. The importance of the development of meteorological observation research institution is pointed out because being obtained data are critical for being projected facility row. Recommendations, on the example of meteorological parameters, on design of distribution maps for being investigated parameters and on drawing graphs for these parameters value change along being projected linear objects. Methods: Analysis and comparison of the results on engineering hydrometeorological research, given assessment of sufficiency of the presented data, while solving applied tasks on linear objects. Results: Need to increase in some cases the number of involved meteorological stations for the possibility to create distribution maps for being studied parameters was established. An example is presented and the comparison of distribution maps, created using data from reporting documentation, with those created from additional information was made. It was also found that existing network of hydrometeorological stations on the territory of the Russian Federation is insufficient to obtain results of necessary accuracy, especially, when designing linear objects as well as objects located along the route of being projected line. Practical importance: The possibility of using maps of hydrometeorological parameters distribution for to obtain data in areas, being remote from hydrometeorological stations, has been demonstrated. It is concluded that it’s necessary to increase the number of observation stations for being studied parameters that will reduce the ambiguity in hydrometeorological calculations when determining the parameter values for to justify projection decisions

Climatic zonation of Egypt based on high-resolution dataset using image clustering technique

Egypt, a predominantly arid and hyper-arid country, is one of the environmentally most fragile regions of the world. The country became a hot spot for climatic extremes and aridity change in the global warming context. The unavailability of a detailed and reliable climate zonation map is a major hindrance to climatic studies in Egypt. This study attempted to generate a high-resolution climate zone map of Egypt based on a novel image analysis technique. For this purpose, a colored image representing Egypt's composite climatology was developed using three high-resolution (1-km) climate variables: rainfall, maximum temperature and minimum temperature during 1979–2013. A spherical evolution algorithm was used to classify the image into different climate zones. Subsequently, the climate zones representing similar climate distribution were merged to generate the climate map of Egypt. The study revealed that Egypt’s distinguishable climate zones could be recognized when the land area was classified into nine zones using the image analysis technique. The statistical analysis of climate variables of each zone revealed similar climatology only in two pairs of zones. The merging of similar climate zones yielded seven climate zones having distinct climate characteristics. The validation of climate zonation using various statistical tests revealed the robustness of the proposed method in classifying climate. The climate zone map generated in the study can be used as a reference for climate change analysis in Egypt.

Terrain sensitive climate mapping for the Arequipa Department in Peru

AbstractClimate is a powerful driver of agricultural and natural systems, and spatial climate datasets are currently in great demand. This is especially true in the Arequipa Department of Peru, a region with low seasonal precipitation, remarkable topographic variability, and significant water demand in a highly managed water system. This paper presents the Arequipa Climate Maps (ACM) datasets, a high resolution (1 km) spatial 30‐year (1988–2017) climate dataset for the Arequipa Region, in Peru. Four interpolation methods, and combinations of those methods, were tested to produce 30 years of daily precipitation, maximum and minimum air temperature: Ordinary Kriging (OK), Thin Plate Splines (TPS), Regression Kriging (RK), and Regression Thin Plate Splines (RTPS). The mixed method RTPS‐TPS and RTPS using locally fitted polynomial and potential regressions were found to best represent the spatial variability of precipitation and daily extreme temperatures, respectively, and helped compensate the bias resulting from the lack of weather stations at higher elevations. These methods were then selected to create the ACM dataset, which contains climate maps of 30‐year annual and monthly climate normals (ACM–Normals) and 30 years of annual, monthly, and daily climate maps (ACM–YMD). In addition, insights on weather station gap filling in mountainous areas and bias corrections for avoidance of anomalous precipitation and to assure consistency between annual, monthly and daily data are presented, together with discussion about the quality and limitations of the dataset, and its comparison with other datasets.

Mapping Climate Zones of Iran Using Hybrid Interpolation Methods

Climate plays a key role in ecosystem services. Understanding microclimate change can be a significant help in making the right decision for ecosystems and buffering the effects of global warming. Given the large distances between meteorological stations and the changes in the climate variables within short distances, such variations cannot be detected just by using observed meteorological data. This study aimed at determining the spatial structure of the mean annual temperature, the annual average precipitation, and the climate zoning of Iran using data from 3825 stations from 2002 to 2016.The multivariate regression demonstrated the dependence of these variables on longitude, latitude, and elevation. Regression-kriging indicated a decline in temperature from east to west and northwest in high-altitude areas, while most precipitation values were observed over the Caspian Sea coastline and the Zagros Mountains. Climatic zoning showed that using auxiliary variables was very effective in detecting 24 climatic classes and understating the climate diversity in Iran. Hot to very hot and arid to very arid climate classes occupy the largest part of Iran, including the southeastern and southern desert regions. According to the generated climatic map, the large climatic diversity of Iran needs accurate policymaking regarding cultivation patterns and biodiversity. Visual comparisons of climatic zones with four remotely sensed agricultural-related variables showed that using such carefully produced climatic maps would be beneficial in classifying, assessing, and interpreting the remote sensed agricultural-related variables.

Mapping agricultural vulnerability to impacts of climate events of Punjab, Pakistan

Pakistan has an agriculture-dependent economy vulnerable to climate impacts. Within Pakistan, Punjab province is a leading regional producer of food and cash crops, and an exporter of agricultural commodities of significance in South Asia. Punjab agriculture provides livelihoods for agriculture-dependent communities living in one of the most populous countries of the world and these will be disrupted under incremental climate changes (e.g. rising temperatures) and the impacts of extreme climate events (such as droughts and floods). Climate impact assessments and mapping are widely accepted initial approaches to address climate change as they have the potential to facilitate bottom-up adaptation. However, to date, policy responses in Pakistan have tended to be top-down, driven by national adaptation planning processes. This paper assesses agricultural vulnerability to impacts of climate events at the district scale for Punjab province by developing maps of the individual components of vulnerability, i.e. exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity. An indicator-based approach using a composite index method was adopted for the assessment. The mapping separated and categorised districts in Punjab based on their vulnerability to climate change and revealed spatial patterns and factors influencing district-level vulnerability. These geospatial variations in vulnerability illustrate the need for a nuanced policy on adaptation that recognises the importance of local biophysical and socio-economic context to build adaptive capacity for vulnerable regions rather than the current concentration on broad-scale top-down action embedded in National Adaptation Plans.

Urban climatic maps for environmental planning in Manizales, Colombia

Air pollution is a serious environmental problem in Latin American cities. Although the problem is widely studied, collaborative solutions from city planners and urban climatologists have been slow to evolve. In this article, we demonstrate the severity of the problem in the mountain city of Manizales, Colombia, and offer “urban climatic mapping” as an appropriate tool to ease communication between scientists and planners. We take a comprehensive approach involving topographic, demographic, and atmospheric datasets, which are assembled and analysed in a GIS environment. Our maps show that the mountain-valley wind patterns in Manizales are critically important for ventilating the city and improving air quality. We therefore give planning recommendations to protect and enhance the natural airsheds and airflow systems of Manizales through modification of the built form. Recommendations are also given to reduce pollutant loading in the narrow streets of the historical centre, and to expand the network of environmental monitoring stations across the city. The expansion is designed in accordance with international guidelines for siting meteorological instruments in urban areas, and is intended to serve new uses for the network data, to include community planning, environmental mapping, and urban climate education.

A Map of the Current Cultural Climate in Medicine and Healthcare, and How We Can Change It

In Canada, healthcare and medicine are grounded in structures of coloniality, oppression, heteropatriarchy and a variety of “-isms” (racism, sexism, ableism, classism). Consequently, it is little wonder that deep-rooted, enduring health disparities exist for many different groups across Canada. The COVID-19 pandemic has only served to exacerbate these disparities. Clearly, something needs to change in healthcare delivery and education. Comics are an ideal medium to document this moment, as well as catalyze change, for many reasons. Graphic Medicine – the creation and study of comics in healthcare contexts – can be used to explore the current discourses and cultures of healthcare and bring diverse perspectives into dialogue. Comics are also inherently disruptive. They challenge what is considered acceptable as discourse, and therefore knowledge, within medicine. They are also accessible to anyone with a writing tool, surface, and an idea to share. In this way, comics help democratize communication and give oft-ignored voices the ability to help shape medical discourse. Additionally, the diversity of forms and features used in comics creation directly relates to and enhances the diversity of voices, perspectives and lived experiences expressed in comics. Graphic Medicine can be a tool to advocate for health equity across populations.

An Australian climate-based characterization of hygrothermal risks for buildings

Moisture-related issues in buildings can accelerate the decay of building materials and increase occurrence of mould, resulting in significant economic and health implications. Transient hygrothermal risks assessment proved to be the most reliable approach, yet its application at early design stages is impeded by the high number of assumptions, input and skills required to be robustly applied. Climate-based indicators can assist in determining effective prevention design strategies based on the magnitude of the potential hygrothermal risks. However, in Australia, the National Construction Code relies on a climate zoning originally developed for thermal and energy efficiency provisions, clustering locations that present different moisture profiles. This paper investigates the suitability of the existing climate zones for hygrothermal risk indications by calculating the moisture index for several representative cites across Australia. Results reveal the current climate mapping to be unsuitable and too coarse to reliably provide robust indications for moisture management. Further, a new characterization of Australian climates for hygrothermal assessment purposes is proposed as a first step towards a better representation of moisture risks within the building code.