Naslov
Analysis of Universal Thermal Climate Index in Croatia for extreme events

Autori
Muić, Ines ; Keresturi, Endi ; Horvath, Kristian

Vrsta, podvrsta
Ostale vrste radova, ostalo

Godina
2023

Ključne riječi
UTCI ; extreme events ; strong wind ; heat wave ; cold wave ; ALADIN ; DHMZ

Sažetak
Due to global warming, extreme events increase in frequency and intensity. One of those extreme events are cold and heat waves which affect people causing increased mortality and morbidity. Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Service (DHMZ) must organize and ensure early warnings of heat and cold waves to reduce the risk and protect the population. To improve heat wave and cold wave forecasts and warning systems, DHMZ analyzed several thermal comfort/stress indices and implemented them operationally in test mode. Although there is no agreement on single comfort or physiological strain index to be used, Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) is well-accepted worldwide. It integrates contemporary science to simulate the human response (physiological stress) to meteorological conditions by a sophisticated model. The UTCI is calculated for the domain over Croatia for the selected cases of a heat wave, a cold wave but also for strong wind episodes, such as local bora and jugo wind. Local bora and jugo wind can reach gale wind speeds and affect human health differently. The meteorological data used for the calculation of UTCI and other thermal indices are hourly NWP model ALADIN-HR output values of air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and mean radiant temperature. The UTCI values are compared with other thermal comfort indices which are operational in DHMZ (Thermal comfort index) and show good agreement. Results for the cases of strong wind show UTCI sensitivity to the wind.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Geofizika

POVEZANOST RADA