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Artykuł identyfikuje fazy występowania zmian klimatu na obszarze Bliskiego Wschodu w dwóch perspektywach czasowych: 3000-0 BC oraz zmian współczesnych. W tym celu wykorzystano różne zbiory danych: 1) informacje zaczerpnięte z licznych badań i dokumentów archeologicznych i historycznych, 2) bazy indexu NAO i opadów atmosferycznych okresu zimowego (DJFM) za lata 1890-2020, 3) średnie miesięczne i roczne wartości temperatury powietrza (Tmean) dla 6 stacji w Iraku za okres 1941-2020. W perspektywie millenialnej zidentyfikowano 4 okresy znaczących faz chłodnych i suchych (2650-2500, 2200-1900, 1300-1200 i 1000-850 BC). Fazy te cechowały się dużą ostrością klimatu, co spowodowało znaczące zmiany społeczno-polityczne na obszarze Mezopotamii. Badania współczesnych zmian klimatu sugerują ujemne korelacje pomiędzy zimowym wskaźnikiem NAO i opadami, a w ostatnich 80 latach - dodatnie trendy temperatury powietrza wynoszące nawet 0,9°C/10 lat.

The study aimed at finding relationships between lactate threshold and psychomotor fatigue threshold during incremental exercise in thermo-neutral climate conditions and conditions for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar simulated in an environmental test chamber. The study included 24 soccer players aged 21.02 ± 3.22 years old. The following procedures were performed: The incremental exercise test to mark lactate concentration—LA (mmol·l−1); Psychomotor test to determine choice reaction time; Designation of the lactate threshold (TLA) and psychomotor fatigue threshold (TPF). Climate conditions: The procedure was performed twice in the climatic chamber: (1) in thermo-neutral conditions—TNC (ambient temperature 20.5 °C and relative air humidity 58.7%), (2) after 7 days—in Qatar conditions—QC (28.5 ± 1.92 °C) and (58.7 ± 8.64%). It was confirmed that the TPF, which reflects the highest efficiency of CNS functioning, occurs at a higher running speed than the TLA. The temperature of 28.5 °C with 58.7% humidity, which is the lower limit of heat stress, causes the psychomotor fatigue threshold to appear at a lower running speed than in thermoneutral conditions. The data recorded in this work may help to understand the specificity of physiological and psychomotor reactions to various climatic conditions.

Significant changes in climate variables in the last decades resulted in changes of perceived climate conditions. However, there are only few studies discussing long-lasting changes in bioclimatic conditions. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to present the temporal and spatial distribution of hazardous heat and cold stress conditions in different regions of Poland. Its focus is on long-lasting changes in such conditions in the period 1951–2018. To assess changes in hazardous thermal stress conditions, the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) was used. UTCI values at 12 UTC hour (respectively 1 pm winter time, 2 pm summer time) were calculated daily based on air temperature, relative humidity, total cloud cover and wind speed at 24 stations representing the whole area of Poland. We found that the greatest changes were observed in minimum (1.33 °C/10 years) and average (0.52 °C/10 years) UTCI values as well as in cold stress frequency (− 4.00 days per 10 years). The changes vary seasonally and regionally. The greatest increase in UTCImin and decrease in cold stress days were noted from November to March and had the highest values in north-east and east Poland, and also in the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains. The trends in maximum UTCI are much smaller and not always positive. The spatially averaged trend in UTCImax for Poland as a whole was 0.35 °C/10 years and the increase in heat stress days was 0.80 days/10 years. The highest increases in UTCImax and heat stress days were noted in eastern and south-eastern Poland. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00484-020-02069-7.

The assessment of thermal stress stimuli in Poland was based on the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI). Daily values of UTCI at 24 stations selected to represent the whole area of Poland at 12:00 UTC were calculated over the period 1951-2018. Various UTCI characteristics, i.e., spatial averages of daily, monthly and annual values, daily spatial contrasts (i.e., the difference between daily highest and lowest UTCI values) were defined in each of 8 bioclimatic regions of Poland. Ten-year trends for UTCI and spatial contrast values were counted and their statistical significance was analysed. A statistically significant increase in UTCI values was found in all the regions of Poland. However, contrasts in thermal stress both for Poland as a whole and in most of the regions decreased significantly, especially in the north-east of Poland, the country’s coldest region. This indicates a reduction in the stimuli of thermal environment in Poland and in most of the individual regions.

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.

While significant increases in air temperature are being observed in the context of climate change, precipitation characteristics, indicators and indices seem to be changing in a more regionally-variable manner. High-mountain areas prove particularly subject to fluctuations and changes of climate, given that mountains serve as barriers to masses of air flowing over them, with the result that atmospheric precipitation totals are high in the context of the so-called orographic rainfall. Overall, the Chornohora represents the highest range anywhere in Ukraine’s Carpathian Mts, as there are six peaks over 2000 m a.s.l. capable of serving as a barrier running NW-SE. Nevertheless, the main ridge of the High Tatras (of the Slovakia-Poland borderland) is even higher and runs W-E. Each massif is some 30 km in length, while the two ranges are separated by a distance of almost 350 km. Main drainage divides run along the highest ridges here, with the Tatras separating the drainage basins of the Vistula and Danube, while the Chornohora represent a divide between the Prut and Tysa basins. The aim here has been to present characteristics of atmospheric precipitation in Tatra and Chornohora Mts. as these are seen to relate to atmospheric circulation. To this end, the dependent relationship between intensity of precipitation and atmospheric circulation was examined exhaustively, with changes in the latter considered from the point of view of intensity of precipitation in the massifs under study, and with trends for precipitation over the study period also looked for.The Niedźwiedź (2017) classification of types of atmospheric circulation was applied, with annual values calculated for circulation indicators P (a W-E inflow), S (a S-N inflow) and C (a cyclonic/anticyclonic inflow). Overall, the study drew on 1961‑2015 daily precipitation data from the north-eastern slope of Chornohora Mts. (as represented by Ukraine’s Pozhyzhevska weather station, PO, 1451 m a.s.l.), as well as the north slope of the Tatra Mts. (as represented by Poland’s Hala Gasienicowa weather station, HG, 1520 m a.s.l.).An air inflow from western directions was found to have prevailed over 28% of the days in the average year (Fig. 1). The most frequent types involved here were: Ka (12%), Bc (10%), Wc (10%) and Wa (8%). During the summer months (JJA), it is the Ka and Bc types that are even more frequent (present on approx. 15% of summer days). Types Wc and Wa in turn occur more frequently in winter (DJF) – respectively 13% and 12% of the time. In autumn, these types reach a level of occurrence around 10%.At 1712 mm, the average annual rainfall total for Tatra Mts is higher than that for the Chornohora (on 1446 mm). While the seasonal distribution of rainfall in spring and autumn looks almost the same in the two massifs, winter brings more precipitation in the Chornohora, while summer is a wetter season in the Tatras (Fig. 2). Largest amounts of precipitation nevertheless fall in the warm half-year, in the circumstances of N+NEa advection, cyclonic situations and under arctic, polar-marine or polar-marine transformed air masses (Figs. 3 and 4).The largest changes over time are to be observed for the zonal inflow index (P) and the cyclonic index (C). The P index points to increased numbers of days with a western circulation, while the C index confirms the domination of anticyclonic circulation (Fig. 5). The trend for annual rainfall totals is an upward one overall in both regions, but in neither does this achieve statistical significance (Fig. 6). Equally, there is a downward trend line for numbers of days featuring precipitation (RRdays) in the cases of both the Chornohora and Tatra ranges (equal to -7.3 days/10 years and -7.59 days/10 years respectively) (Fig. 7). On the other hand, the trend for numbers of days with higher rainfall, e.g. with RRdays>10mm is upward for the Chornohora (at +1.23 days/10 years), but downward for the Tatra Mts (at -0.6 days/10 years) (Fig. 8).

UTCI, although it was developed with the participation of scientists from 22 countries, it has shortcomings and people using it face various obstacles. The difficulties include wide range of issues: from different availability of meteorological data in individual countries, through the kind of air temperature which should be properly used in calculations, or the need of recalculation of wind speed. However the biggest subject concern algorithms for mean radiant temperature (Mrt) calculations, different models and programs which simplify calculations of this complex index though introduce different approximations and, as a result, many false results. The paper presents also wide range of UTCI applications in urban bioclimate studies and bioclimatic mapping, climate-human health researches and biometeorological forecasts which were the primary purpose of the index creation, but also applications in tourism and recreation or even in bioclimate change analysis.

The study detailed here has sought to assess the physical and technical activity engaged in by football players in the light of the direction of travel in which time zones were crossed as players transferred from training centres to match venues, in the context of matches played at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. The material consisted of 945 observations of 340 players. Analysed: total distances covered [km], distances covered with high-intensity running (20-25 km/h) [m], numbers of sprints, numbers of shots, numbers of passes, pass accuracy [%] and the official ranking of national teams. Three categories of time-zone shift (training centre → match venue) were taken account of, i.e. (1) West→East (WE), (2) Same Zone (SZ) and (3) East→West (EW). Analysis of results revealed that players in the EW and SZ categories were able to achieve results significantly better than those moving WE (total distances covered H = 11.815(2); p = 0.003; numbers of passes H = 7.630(2); p = 0.022), and this in relation to team placings in the end-of-tournament ranking (H = 18.099(2); p = 0.001). The results will be valuable in searching places for training centres during future FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Championship competitions.

Outdoor tourism and recreational activities strongly depend on actual meteorological conditions. Traditionally, in three studied regions, the peak of tourists’ streams concentrates in summer months. In the present study, we assess suitability of weather conditions for various forms of outdoor tourism in different regions of Serbia, Poland and Ukraine. Additionally, how the location of the station differentiates temporal patterns of weather suitability will be discussed. To analyse the suitability of weather conditions for various forms of outdoor recreation, we have chosen 23 meteorological stations of the national weather networks which represent different tourism areas and destinations. For each weather station, daily data for the period 2000–2017 of air temperature, relative humidity, total cloud cover and wind speed (at 10 m above ground) for 12 UTC as well as the daily maximum and minimum temperature, precipitation totals and snow cover depth were applied. Suitability of climate for outdoor recreation and tourism is assessed by the Weather Suitability Index (WSI) based on Błażejczyk’s bio-thermal weather classification. The results of research show that passive forms of recreation (sun and air bathing) are preferred mostly in months from May till August or September. For the active forms of recreation, weather in summer months is very oppressive, especially in the resorts located in the south (Serbia, southern Ukraine). Active forms of recreation are preferred there in autumn, winter and spring months. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s00484-020-01984-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The present study attempts to assess changes in soccer players’ physical and technical activity profiles due to thermal stress, measured with the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI), in training centres and during matches of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. The study also verifies the theoretical models of soccer players’ physiological parameters. The study sample consisted of 945 observations of 340 players of national teams taking part in the World Cup in Russia. The measured variables included physical activities: total distance covered, distances covered with an intensity of 20–25 km/h, number of sprints; technical activities: number of shots, number of passes, pass accuracy and physiological indicators: evaporative water loss and heart rate. In addition, the final ranking places of each national team were also used in the study. The UTCI was calculated based on meteorological data recorded at training centres and during matches. The UTCI records were then classified into two ranges: NTS—no thermal stress (UTCI 9–26 °C) and TS—thermal stress (UTCI > 26 °C). Climatic conditions at soccer training centres assessed as involving “no thermal stress” are found to be more beneficial for increasing the total distance covered and the number of sprints performed by players during a match. The theoretical models for determining soccer players’ physiological parameters used in the study reduce the players’ heart rate effort and evaporative water loss, which is in line with findings in studies by other authors. The climatic conditions at soccer training centres and during tournament matches should be taken into account in planning preparations for future World Cup tournaments, especially those in hotter countries.

The occurrence of long-lasting severe heat stress, such as in July–August 2003, July 2010, or in April–May 2018 has been one of the biggest meteorological threats in Europe in recent years. The paper focuses on the biometeorological and mortality effects of the hot June that was observed in Central Europe in 2019. The basis of the study was hourly and daily Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) values at meteorological stations in Poland for June 2019. The average monthly air temperature and UTCI values from 1951 to 2018 were analysed as background. Grosswetterlagen calendar of atmospheric circulation was used to assess synoptic conditions of heat wave. Several heat strain measures were applied : net heat storage (S), modelled heart rate (HR), sultriness (HSI), and UTCI index. Actual total mortality (TM) and modelled strong heat-related mortality (SHRM) were taken as indicators of biometeorological consequences of the hot June in 2019. The results indicate that prolonged persistence of unusually warm weather in June 2019 was determined by the synoptic conditions occurring over the European region and causing advection of tropical air. They led to the emergence of heat waves causing 10% increase in TM and 5 times bigger SHRM then in preceding 10 years. Such increase in SHRM was an effect of overheating and overload of circulatory system of human organism. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00484-021-02202-0.

Chornohora is the highest mountain ridge in the Ukrainian Carpathians with 6 peaks of an altitude over 2,000 m above sea level (Hoverla is the highest peak, 2,061 m a.s.l). Its climate is explored less than other mountain ridges in Europe. The massif is a climatic barrier for air masses on NW-SE line. To describe the climate of this area data from the weather station at Pozhyzhevska alpine meadow for the years 1961–2010 were used. The seasonal and long-term variability of air temperature, atmospheric precipitation and snow cover were investigated on the background of air circulation types. The results show that general features of Chornohora climate depend both, on elevation above sea level and on air circulation. Lowest temperature is observed at N-NE circulation and highest precipitation – at western air inflow. Long-term changes of examined climate elements in Chornohora show significant increase in mean (0.13°/10 years) and minimum (0.22°C/10 years) air temperature as well as in snow cover depth and number of snowy days.

Przedstawiony zbiór tekstów nie wyczerpuje oczywiście całości zagadnienia wpływu klimatu na funkcjonowanie wrażliwych ekosystemów i na funkcjonowanie społeczeństw. Wierzymy jednak, że dobitnie mówią one o konieczności zintensyfikowania działań społeczności międzynarodowej w kierunku zahamowania, a przynajmniej spowolnienia zmian klimatu. W przeciwnym razie grozi nam zniszczenie bioróżnorodności ekosystemów oraz kosztowne społecznie i ekonomicznie wysiłki zapewnienia przyszłym pokoleniom możliwości życia i rozwoju.

Climate change is a fact that worries the international community. The progressive increase in air temperature and the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events are felt by everyone.

Artificial light has been present in human life for decades but our knowledge of its effects is still insufficient. Lighting lets us be active longer, gives us a sense of security and provides aesthetic experiences. Despite all of these advantages, in urban areas artificial light also has a negative effects on the environment and human life. Although light pollution is one of the most common forms of anthropogenic environmental change, this phenomenon remains insufficiently investigated. The present work thus focuses on night sky brightness and artificial factors impacting the level of the phenomenon using Warsaw (Poland) and Fukuoka (Japan) as an example. The basis of the study is the new World Atlas of Artificial Night Sky Brightness. Moreover, we used image data from the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite Day/Night Band and data from field research to analyse the primary artificial light characteristics in the two cities: illumination, colour temperature, peak wavelength, dominant wavelength, stimulation of photoreceptors, design of lighting fixtures and radiance. The results indicate that Warsaw (area: 517.2 km2; population: 1 777 972) is characterized by higher light pollution than Fukuoka (area: 343.5 km2; population: 1 554 229). Skyglow is primarily influenced by the number of light sources; however, local differentiation of the phenomenon depends on the spectral characteristics and design of lighting fixtures. Moreover, environmental features may affect light pollution through scattering, reflection and absorption. Outdoor lighting in Warsaw was characterized by a higher value of light illumination and greater stimulation of photoreceptors sensitive to long and medium waves. However, the lighting infrastructure in Fukuoka was also unsuitable, as it was characterised by high values of colour temperature and stimulation of photoreceptors sensitive to short waves and ganglion cells, which may be detrimental to the human body.

One of the important aims of climatic and bioclimatic studies is to define spatial differentiation of particular climate elements and/or bioclimatic indicators. Several approaches are used for this purpose. Isoline maps aim to create spatial variability of any climate variable based on data points from a network of meteorological stations. The second commonly used visualisation method is based on typological maps, which assume that values observed in particular locations represent wider areas with similar properties of natural and socio-economic environment. The combination of isoline and typological approach are raster maps. In these maps, the space is divided into several regular geometrical fields (raster). For each raster, meteorological variables and bioclimatic indices are defined. The aim of the chapter is to present methods of cartographical representation of the Universal Thermal Climate Index in different spatial scales (global, regional, local).

This chapter includes the results of the earliest studies on changes and variability of climatic elements, bioclimatic indices and weather types across Poland. The first pioneering works on climatic studies were presented (since 1858), even if they did not relate to climate change.

This paper assesses changes in bioclimatic conditions in Poland using two indices: the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) and Physiological Subjective Temperature (PST). The indices were calculated using the BioKlima 2.6 software package on the basis of several meteorological parameters (temperature, humidity, cloudiness, wind speed), measured daily at 12:00 UTC, from the period 1951–2018 at 24 stations representing different biometeorological regions. First, the spatial distribution of UTCI and PST values and the frequency of different thermal stress and thermal sensation categories are presented, with the various thermal stress and sensation categories grouped into 3 for each index. Then, the absolute values and relative percentage trends (compared to 1951) are calculated for ten-year periods and days with specific characteristics. The analysis shows a significant increase in the minimum and mean values of the applied indices during the period under investigation over all areas of Poland, including the mountains, especially in the north-east (where UTCI minimum values rose up to 1.8 °C per decade) and Tarnow in the south-east (up to 2.2 °C per decade). The rise of UTCI summer maximum values was significant only in the north-east and north-west of Poland (0.3–0.5 °C per decade) and in the mountain foothills (0.3–0.4 °C per decade). The changes in PST maximum values were insignificant. On average, in every decade, the number of cold days reduced by 2.7 in the case of PST and 3.2 on the UTCI. However, in the north-east, the reduction was much greater, at 7 days per 10 years (UTCI) and 6 days when considering PST. Regionally, the greatest increase in the mean and minimum values of the indices used and the decrease in the frequency of cold days were observed in north-eastern, eastern and western Poland, i.e. the regions most exposed to frequent changes in air circulation, which is hypothesised to play the main role in shaping bioclimatic conditions in Poland.

Mountain areas are ecosystems very vulnerable to fluctuations and changes of climate. As a consequence, research into climate and climate change in Poland’s Karkonosze and Tatra Mountains has been ongoing for several years now, and has already yielded essential information regarding these highest ranges in Poland. However, there remains a paucity of research comparing features of climate in the two chains of mountains. In consequence, the work detailed here has sought to compare key climate characteristics in these ranges, as well as their seasonal and multiannual changes over the period 1951‒2015. The research is based on daily meteorological records from within the network of Poland’s Institute of Meteorology and Water Management – National Research Institute. In the case of the Karkonosze Mts., it was the meteorological stations at Śniezka (Ś, 1603 m a.s.l.) and Jelenia Gora (JG, 344 m a.s.l.) that were chosen; while in the Tatras the selected stations were on Kasprowy Wierch (KW, 1990 m a.s.l.) and in Zakopane (Z, 857 m a.s.l.). Additionally, the station at Hala Gąsienicowa (HG, 1520 m a.s.l.) was considered in line with data available for the shorter 1981‒2015 period. The research took account of daily data on air temperature, relative humidity of the air, wind speed, precipitation and snow cover. Specifically, the climate characteristics calculated and analysed by reference to mean multiannual, yearly and seasonal values related to air temperature, maximum temperature, minimum temperature, precipitation totals and maximum snow depth. Further analysis related to numbers of days with precipitation and snow cover, as well as numbers of days with specific air temperatures described as hot (Tmax >25°C), frosty (Tmax

The health of individuals and societies depends on different factors including atmospheric conditions which influence humans in direct and indirect ways. The paper presents regional variability of some climate related diseases (CRD) in Poland: salmonellosis intoxications, Lyme boreliosis, skin cancers (morbidity and mortality), influenza, overcooling deaths, as well as respiratory and circulatory mortality. The research consisted of two stages: 1) statistical modelling basing on past data and 2) projections of CRD for three SRES scenarios of climate change (A1B, A2, B1) to the year 2100. Several simple and multiply regression models were found for the relationships between climate variables and CRD. The models were applied to project future levels of CRD. At the end of 21st century we must expect increase in: circulatory mortality, Lyme boreliosis infections and skin cancer morbidity and mortality. There is also projected decrease in: respiratory mortality, overcooling deaths and influenza infections.

This study presents a spatiotemporal analysis of bioclimatic comfort conditions for Iran using mean daily meteorological data from 1995 to 2014, analyzed through Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET) index and Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) indices, and bioclimatic clustering. The results of this study demonstrate that due to the climate variability across Iran during the year, there is at any point in time a location with climatic condition suitable for tourism. Mean values demonstrate maxima in bioclimatic comfort indices for the country in late winter and spring and minima for summer. Seven statistically significant clusters in bioclimatic indices were identified. Comparing these with clustering performed on PET and UTCI, the maximum overlaps between the two indices. In the following, the outputs of this research showed that most appropriate bioclimatic clustering for Iran includes seven clusters. These clustering locations according to climatic suitability for tourism provide a valuable contribution to tourism management in the country, particularly through marketing destinations to maximize tourist flow.

Heat stress is one of the environmental factors influencing the health of individuals and the wider population. There is a large body of research to document significant increases in mortality and morbidity during heat waves all over the world. This paper presents key results of research dealing with heat-related mortality (HRM) in various cities in Poland which cover about 25% of the country's population. Daily mortality and weather data reports for the years 1991-2000 were used. The intensity of heat stress was assessed by the universal thermal climate index (UTCI). The research considers also the projections of future bioclimate to the end of twenty-first century. Brain storming discussions were applied to find necessary adaptation strategies of healthcare system (HCS) in Poland, to minimise negative effects of heat stress. In general, in days with strong and very strong heat stress, ones must expect increase in mortality (in relation to no thermal stress days) of 12 and 47%, respectively. Because of projected rise in global temperature and heat stress frequency, we must expect significant increase in HRM to the end of twenty-first century of even 165% in comparison to present days. The results of research show necessity of urgent implementation of adaptation strategies to heat in HCS.

Mean annual and monthly averages of mean (Tmean), maximum (Tmax) and minimum (Tmin) air temperature from seven stations in Iraq were analysed to detect the inter-annual variation, long-term temporal and spatial trends distribution over the period 1941–2013. Due to non-homogeneous problems, this period has been divided into two short separated periods (1941–1980 and 1995–2013), in order to compute temperature trends. In this context two statistical tests were used: linear regression and Mann-Kendall. The time series of mean annual temperature indicate the current warming period over Iraq identical with the global warming, which has started since the middle of seventh decade of the last century. The 2010 was the warmest year in all stations. Three distinct inter-annual temperature variation patterns were observed. These were probably the effects of micro-scale and meso-scale factors. The first one represents central and northern Iraq. The second represents the south of Iraq and Kirkuk station and the third one is a characteristic for eastern Iraq. Temperature trend analysis revealed that there are general upward trends with the strongest warming trends identified in the summer months which are around 89 % of the total significant monthly trends. Spatially, in both periods the southern region of Iraq is most affected by the warming trend in Tmean and Tmax. When considering Tmin, the southern and northern regions both are affected by warming with more pronounced trend intensity in the northern stations. No significant trend occurs Hai station in both periods and Baghdad has the still less trend value. In the first period the highest rise of Tmean and Tmax values are observed in July and June in Nasiriya station at 0.61 °C/decade and 0.63 °C/decade, respectively and in Mosul station for Tmin in August is 1.41 °C/decade. Moreover, in the period from 1995 to 2013, the highest warming trend of Tmean and Tmax were in Hai station for March at 1.48 °C/decade and at 1.85 °C/decade, respectively. Baghdad station experienced the highest significant trend for Tmin in August at 1.89 °C/decade.

Weather and climate are important natural resources for tourism and recreation, although sometimes they can make outdoor leisure activities less satisfying or even impossible. The aim of this work was to determine weather perception seasonal variability of people staying outdoors in urban environment for tourism and recreation, as well as to determine if personal factors influence estimation of recreationist actual biometeorological conditions and personal expectations towards weather elements. To investigate how human thermal sensations vary upon meteorological conditions typical for temperate climate, weather perception field researches were conducted in Warsaw (Poland) in all seasons. Urban recreationists’ preference for slightly warm thermal conditions, sunny, windless and cloudless weather, were identified as well as PET values considered to be optimal for sightseeing were defined between 27.3 and 31.7 °C. The results confirmed existence of phenomena called alliesthesia, which manifested in divergent thermal perception of comparable biometeorological conditions in transitional seasons. The results suggest that recreationist thermal sensations differed from other interviewees’ responses and were affected not only by physiological processes but they were also conditioned by psychological factors (i.e. attitude, expectations). Significant impact of respondents’ place of origin and its climate on creating thermal sensations and preferences was observed. Sex and age influence thermal preferences, whereas state of acclimatization is related with thermal sensations to some point. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s00484-016-1220-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The climate and bioclimate of the city have been studied by the climatologists from IGSO PAS since the 1960s. Since the late 1990s, these studies have been based on the measurement network of thermal and humidity conditions in the Warsaw agglomeration. The number of measuring posts has been changed over the years, currently it consists of 27 posts. The main research issues are: temporal and spatial changes of urban heat island under the spatial development changes, methods of limiting the urban heat island and adaptation to it, the impact of biologically vital areas on local climate, forecasts for the urban heat island based on selected climate change models and scenarios of spatial development changes. A large number of studies by the IGSO PAS climatologists concern human bioclimatology, including the thermal sensation, the impact of heat waves and cold waves on morbidity and mortality, the role of greenery in the city (cooling, but also aggravating allergy). The main goal of this research is to determine the measures limiting the negative impact of the urban climate on people and to improve the quality of life in the city.

Agriculture is a sector of the national economy strongly influenced by climatic conditions. A majority of jobs in agriculture are still performed outdoors, under various weather conditions. Several meteorological situations can lead to severe disturbances in the organism of agricultural workers, with high temperature, intensive insolation and elevated air humidity proving especially dangerous, as such weather conditions can lead to overheating and dehydration of the body. The work presented here compares biothermal conditions in Poland and Bulgaria from the point of view of occupational health. To this end, use was made of several indices assessing heat stress in human beings, namely: Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT), HUMIDEX, Water Loss (SW), Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) and Physiological Subjective Temperature (PST). When account was taken of the occurrence of heat extremes as defined by these indices, it proved possible to distinguish categories of health risk regarded as small, increased or great. Comparison of the two agricultural regions reveals significantly more severe heat stress in Bulgaria than in Poland, in terms of both the frequency of heat-stress episodes and the number of hours (daily and monthly) associated with heat stress. This ensures that dangerous conditions for agriculture workers are primarily present in Bulgaria, rather than in Poland.

Traffic noise is an inherent element of contemporary societies’ life. Its volume systematically increases as the car number is growing and the road network is developed. Traffic noise, especially road-induced noise, is so widespread in our environment that it is hard to isolate ourselves from it. This paper presents the results of acoustic climate studies conducted in the vicinity of selected road sections in Poland: national road DK8 in the vicinity of Budzisko and Augustow, S8 road near Wyszkow and at the final stretch of DK 8 in the vicinity of Kudowa-Zdroj. The studies also covered two areas adjacent to A1 motorway in the vicinity of Kamionek and Pelplin and next to road DK 91, which runs in parallel to A1 motorway. Acoustic climate studies were also carried out along A4 motorway and national road DK 94 in the vicinity of Lewin Brzeski. Measurements were made along the Buszyce–Magnuszewice profile. Noise measurements were made on a total of 11 profiles. The analysis covered certain features of the acoustic climate (equivalent sound level, its maximum and minimum values and duration of noise of a given level). Acoustic climate features were compared with data on traffic intensity and vehicle type structure along the road sections under analysis. The paper also discusses sound propagation in the vicinity of transport routes and the impact of local environment characteristics (landscape relief and humidity) on noise propagation. Possible noise level reduction means to be applied in the vicinity of roads are also discussed.

The sole factors of major importance to Bulgaria’s agrarian output are temperature, and water probability. Between these two factors it is the component relating to soil moisture that proves more limiting. Probabilities of occurrence of water and of given temperatures are estimated by reference to summed temperatures and total rainfall, but also in relation to certain more specific indicators. Heat conditions and heat resources can be summed up by reference to the continuity of the vegetation period or growing season, which are limited for each type of plant, with thresholds for each crossed over the spring-autumn period in relation to biological minima. In the case of agricultural crops in Bulgaria, the biological minima are taken to be: 5°C - for wheat, barley, oats, peas, lentils and sunflowers; 10°C for corn, haricot beans and soybeans, and 15°C for cotton, vegetables and other spring cultures. The durations of cold and warm periods are of course interrelated characteristics. In the first period a key further issue is to determine the number of days with snow fall and with snow cover, these being fundamental to the shaping of soil-moisture reserves after the spring snow melt. Defining regions with thermal stress during the vegetation season is a further priority in describing agroclimatic conditions. Values indicative of limitations on crop growth would be one or more periods of at least 10 consecutive days with maximal air temperature over 35°C. Temperatures over 28°C are considered stresses that slow growth, and may even destroy plants if heat stress develops. The components most limiting the growth, development and formation of yields from agricultural crops are conditions as regards moisture represented in relation to atmospheric and soil moisture. The most apparent indicator is the annual total rainfall, or else the rainfall total in periods with average daily temperatures over 5 or over 10°C. A cross correlation matrix between the meteorological elements upon which evapotranspiration depends, i.e. air temperature, relative air humidity, wind speed and vapour pressure deficit, is discussed. One of the ways of assessing the actual necessity for water is to consider the difference between rainfall totals and potential water use, i.e. evapotranspiration. The difference between these two variables presents the balance of atmospheric moisture (BAM). Values for the relationship between real and potential evapotranspiration were calculated for two potential vegetation sub periods: March-June (the period in which the yields from winter crops are shaped) and July-August (the period in which the yields for spring crops are shaped).

Climate Index UTCI to studies of regional variability in human-biometeorological conditions. The variability in question was assessed by reference to selected meteorological stations representing Central and Southern Europe, i.e. Kolobrzeg, Warsaw and Świeradow (in Poland), Prague, Budapest, Ljubljana, Milan, Rome and Athens, with the bioclimatic features characterising these localities being presented against the background of the Koppen-Geiger climate classification. In line with that classification, the first five stations are found to represent the cold climate zones (Dfb, Dfc). The last four stations are in turn located in the temperate climate zones (Cfa, Cfb, Csa). Seasonal changes in UTCI values and the frequency of occurrence of UTCI categories are discussed. Significant regional differences in bioclimatic characteristics were found between the stations representing various types of climate. While the highest summer values for UTCI are very similar at all stations (39-42°C), the frequency of occurrence of days with at least strong heat stress (SHS) varied from 2% at the coastal station of Kolobrzeg in Poland to more than 50% at the Milan, Rome and Athens stations. In winter the lowest UTCI values are much differentiated regionally, from -54°C at the mountain station in Świeradow, Poland, to -22°C in Rome. In the zone of cold climate, the frequency of occurrence of days with at least strong cold stress (SCS) is >40%, while in the temperate climates, strong cold stress is characteristic of less than 2% of winter days.

Evidence of climatic health hazards on the general population has been discussed in many studies but limited focus is placed on developing a relationship between climate and its effects on occupational health. Long working hours with high physical activity can cause health problems for workers ranging from mild heat cramps to severe heat stroke leading to death. The paper presents the possible risk of heat hazard to outdoor workers, using the example of Warsaw. The heat stress hazard, defined by WBGT values above 26 and 28°C and UTCI above 32 and 38°C, is assessed from two perspectives: its spatial distribution on a local scale and its temporal changes during the 21st century due to climate change. City centre and industrial districts were identified as the places with the greatest heat stress hazard. The number of heat stress days in a year (as predicted for the 21st century) is increasing, meaning that heat-related illnesses are more likely to have a direct impact on workers’ health.

The paper presents some aspects of Warsaw’s climate, in particular the urban heat island. UHI changes in different seasons and in different air mass types were analysed over the years 2011-2012. Average UHI in Warsaw is of a diamond shape which reflects the distribution of the densest built area and exceeds 2.0°C in the city centre compared to the airport station. In subtropical air mass, the intensity of UHI on the left side of the Vistula River reached 7.7°C. The basis for the analysis is the microclimatic measurement network of 28 permanent points in Warsaw and its surroundings, operated by IGSO PAS and completed by data from 7 other stations. This dense network became the IGSO PAS’ input into an UHI project titled ‘Development and application of mitigation and adaptation strategies and measures for counteracting the global Urban Heat Islands phenomenon (UHI)’ implemented through the Central Europe Program and co-financed by the ERDF.

The assessment of the thermal environment is one of the main issues in bioclimatic research, and more than 100 simple bioclimatic indices have thus far been developed to facilitate it. However, most of these indices have proved to be of limited applicability, and do not portray the actual impacts of thermal conditions on human beings. Indices derived from human heatbalance models (one- or two-node) have been found to offer a better representation of the environmental impact in question than do simple ones. Indeed, the new generation of multi-node models for human heat balance do allow full account to be taken of heat transfer and exchange, both within the human body and between the body surface and the surrounding air layer. In this paper, it is essential background information regarding the newly-developed Universal Thermal Climate Index UTCI that is presented, this in fact deriving from the Fiala multi-node model of human heatbalance. The UTCI is defined as the air temperature (Ta) of the reference condition causing the same model response as actual conditions. UTCI was developed in 2009 by virtue of international co-operation between leading experts in the areas of human thermophysiology, physiological modelling, meteorology and climatology. The necessary research for this had been conducted within the framework of a special commission of the International Society of Biometeorology (ISB) and European COST Action 730.

The growing need for valid assessment procedures of the outdoor thermal environment in the fields of public weather services, public health systems, urban planning, tourism & recreation and climate impact research raised the idea to develop the Universal Thermal Climate Index UTCI based on the most recent scientific progress both in thermo-physiology and in heat exchange theory. Following extensive validation of accessible models of human thermoregulation, the advanced multi-node 'Fiala' model was selected to form the basis of UTCI. This model was coupled with an adaptive clothing model which considers clothing habits by the general urban population and behavioral changes in clothing insulation related to actual environmental temperature. UTCI was developed conceptually as an equivalent temperature. Thus, for any combination of air temperature, wind, radiation, and humidity, UTCI is defined as the air temperature in the reference condition which would elicit the same dynamic response of the physiological model. This review analyses the sensitivity of UTCI to humidity and radiation in the heat and to wind in the cold and compares the results with observational studies and internationally standardized assessment procedures. The capabilities, restrictions and potential future extensions of UTCI are discussed.

People traveling between climate zones can be exposed to extreme environmental stimuli which significantly differ from their place of habitual residence. A move from the temperate climate of Central Europe to the subpolar climate of northern Europe means exposure to great changes in two climate parameters: lighting and biothermal characteristics. The sudden change of solar radiation, temperature, wind and humidity, force the organism to undergo intensive adaptation processes. While the change in lighting conditions involves a diurnal rhythm adaptation of the physiological clock (regulated by the hormone melatonin), the change of biothermal factors (represented by UTCI) produce additional stress on the strongly loaded human organism. The field experiment was carried out in Poland and Norway so the impact of the selected radiation stimuli on melatonin production could be carried out in conditions of natural constant lighting. The paper presents the results of the preliminary analysis of our research conducted from 22 May to 12 June 2011. The distribution of daily outdoor photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) intensity, which is a spectral distribution of solar visible radiation in selected times of the day were analyzed. Lighting conditions surrounding each subject (doses of reached energy of visible solar radiation and illumination intensity) were examined as well. Additional adaptation stress caused by different biothermal conditions (expressed by UTCI index) was also taken into consideration. Diurnal melatonin concentrations were determined in saliva samples.

The results presented in the article of Wieczorek et al. (2016) have been obtained based on the pioneering field study focused on melatonin secretion in tourists in real-life conditions. The author...

The important requirement that COST Action 730 demanded of the physiological model to be used for the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) was its capability of accurate simulation of human thermophysiological responses across a wide range of relevant environmental conditions, such as conditions corresponding to the selection of all habitable climates and their seasonal changes, and transient conditions representing the temporal variation of outdoor conditions. In the first part of this study, available heat budget/two-node models and multi-node thermophysiological models were evaluated by direct comparison over a wide spectrum of climatic conditions. The UTCI-Fiala model predicted most reliably the average human thermal response, as shown by least deviations from physiologically plausible responses when compared to other models. In the second part of the study, this model was subjected to extensive validation using the results of human subject experiments for a range of relevant (steady-state and transient) environmental conditions. The UTCI-Fiala multi-node model proved its ability to predict adequately the human physiological response for a variety of moderate and extreme conditions represented in the COST 730 database. The mean skin and core temperatures were predicted with average root-mean-square deviations of 1.35 ± 1.00°C and 0.32 ± 0.20°C, respectively.

The Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) aimed for a one-dimensional quantity adequately reflecting the human physiological reaction to the multi-dimensionally defined actual outdoor thermal environment. The human reaction was simulated by the UTCI-Fiala multi-node model of human thermoregulation, which was integrated with an adaptive clothing model. Following the concept of an equivalent temperature, UTCI for a given combination of wind speed, radiation, humidity and air temperature was defined as the air temperature of the reference environment, which according to the model produces an equivalent dynamic physiological response. Operationalising this concept involved (1) the definition of a reference environment with 50% relative humidity (but vapour pressure capped at 20 hPa), with calm air and radiant temperature equalling air temperature and (2) the development of a one-dimensional representation of the multivariate model output at different exposure times. The latter was achieved by principal component analyses showing that the linear combination of 7 parameters of thermophysiological strain (core, mean and facial skin temperatures, sweat production, skin wettedness, skin blood flow, shivering) after 30 and 120 min exposure time accounted for two-thirds of the total variation in the multi-dimensional dynamic physiological response. The operational procedure was completed by a scale categorising UTCI equivalent temperature values in terms of thermal stress, and by providing simplified routines for fast but sufficiently accurate calculation, which included look-up tables of pre-calculated UTCI values for a grid of all relevant combinations of climate parameters and polynomial regression equations predicting UTCI over the same grid. The analyses of the sensitivity of UTCI to humidity, radiation and wind speed showed plausible reactions in the heat as well as in the cold, and indicate that UTCI may in this regard be universally useable in the major areas of research and application in human biometeorology.

Over the past century more than 100 indices have been developed and used to assess bioclimatic conditions for human beings. The majority of these indices are used sporadically or for specific purposes. Some are based on generalized results of measurements (wind chill, cooling power, wet bulb temperature) and some on the empirically observed reactions of the human body to thermal stress (physiological strain, effective temperature). Those indices that are based on human heat balance considerations are referred to as "rational indices". Several simple human heat balance models are known and are used in research and practice. This paper presents a comparative analysis of the newly developed Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI), and some of the more prevalent thermal indices. The analysis is based on three groups of data: global data-set, synoptic datasets from Europe, and local scale data from special measurement campaigns of COST Action 730. We found the present indices to express bioclimatic conditions reasonably only under specific meteorological situations, while the UTCI represents specific climates, weather, and locations much better. Furthermore, similar to the human body, the UTCI is very sensitive to changes in ambient stimuli: temperature, solar radiation, wind and humidity. UTCI depicts temporal variability of thermal conditions better than other indices. The UTCI scale is able to express even slight differences in the intensity of meteorological stimuli.