Thermal stress in selected mountain system in Central and Eastern Europe – initial research based on UTCI characteristics

Abstract

Mountain areas create specific features of local climates (by modification of air circulation, insolation, air temperature, precipitation, wind regime) and greatly affect ambient weather conditions which influence different kinds of human (climbing, skiing, walking, etc.). However, till now only few studies of human bioclimate in individual mountain ridges in Europe were done. The aim of the present study is to assess thermal stress features represented by Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) in nine mountain systems in Central and Eastern Europe. 37 meteorological stations located at altitudes of 237-3580 m above sea level were considered. The data represent midday observational term and cover the period 2000-2017. Mean, highest and lowest annual thermal stress values and annual frequency of cold and heat stress days are analysed The conducted studies have demonstrated that in the examined mountain systems thermal stress conditions are dependent (though to a various extent) mostly on altitude (UTCI values and heat stress days decrease and number of cold stress days rise significantly due to increase of altitude). However, impacts of latitude and longitude is well seen only in altitude belt of 300-1000 m a.s.l.

Evaluation of outdoor thermal comfort conditions: evidence from the Serbian major ski resort over the last 30 years

“…Mountains are important from the point of view of bioclimatic research because they modify weather conditions: decrease atmospheric pressure, temperature, and humidity; increase insolation; and enhanced receipt of solar radiation. There are several papers presenting the biometeorological conditions of the mountain in Europe (Zaninović et al 2006 ; Endler and Matzarakis 2011a , b ; Błażejczyk et al 2021a , b , etc.). In Serbia, mountains and hills occupy more than 70% of the area.…”

“…Pecelj et al ( 2017 ) investigated bioclimatic differences during the summer between the city of Belgrade and the mountain resort of Zlatibor by using heat load (HL) in man and UTCI. Błażejczyk et al ( 2021b ) assessed thermal conditions in nine mountains in Central and Eastern Europe, including Zlatibor, using UTCI. Błażejczyk et al ( 2021a ) used the weather suitability index (WSI) to assess the suitability of the climate for outdoor tourism and recreation at several European locations, including Zlatibor.…”

The Heritage Climate Index (HERCI): Development, Assessment and Application for Tourism Purposes in Geoheritage and Cultural Heritage Sites

“…Basarin et al [27] report the bioclimatic conditions of the Zlatibor Mountain using the physiologically equivalent temperature (PET) and UTCI over 10-day periods. Bła żejczyk et al [28] evaluate thermal conditions of nine mountains in Central and Eastern Europe, using UTCI. Malinović-Milićević et al [2] evaluate thermal comfort and its changes for the purpose of skiing on Kopaonik Mountain.…”