Geographia Polonica (2022) vol. 95, iss. 1

Long-term analysis of thermal comfort conditions during heat waves in Ukraine

Olga Shevchenko, Sergiy Snizhko, Sergii Zapototskyi, Hanna Svintsitska, Mariia Matviienko, Andreas Matzarakis

Geographia Polonica (2022) vol. 95, iss. 1, pp. 53-70 | Full text
doi: https://doi.org/10.7163/GPol.0226

Abstract

The aim of this study is assessment of thermal comfort conditions during heat waves in Ukraine in the years 1961-2015. The assessment is based on the thermal index Physiologically Equivalent Temperature. This study uses data from 29 meteorological stations across Ukraine. The research showed an increasing frequency of occurrence of heat waves (HWs) in the territory of Ukraine in the last decades. East and south Ukraine (except of coastal stations) experienced the most strenuous human-biometeorological conditions whilst HWs were recorded in the country. Lower mean PET values were found in Western region of the country. The obtained results suggest that the HW event of 2010 was the longest and the most strenuous HW in human-biometeorological terms since 1961.

Keywords: heat waves, human thermal comfort conditions, heat stress, physiologically equivalent temperature, Ukraine

Olga Shevchenko [shevchenko_olga@knu.ua], Department of Meteorology and Climatology, Geography Faculty Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv 64/13, Volodymyrska Street, 01601 Kyiv: Ukraine
Sergiy Snizhko [snizhko@knu.ua], Department of Meteorology and Climatology, Geography Faculty Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv 64/13, Volodymyrska Street, 01601 Kyiv: Ukraine
Sergii Zapototskyi [zapototsk@knu.ua], Geography Faculty Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv 64/13, Volodymyrska Street, 01 601 Kyiv: Ukraine
Hanna Svintsitska [annasvnt@gmail.com], Department of Meteorology and Climatology, Geography Faculty Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv 64/13, Volodymyrska Street, 01601 Kyiv: Ukraine
Mariia Matviienko [matviyenkomaria@gmail.com], Department of Meteorology and Climatology, Geography Faculty Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv 64/13, Volodymyrska Street, 01601 Kyiv: Ukraine
Andreas Matzarakis [andreas.matzarakis@dwd.de], Research Center for Human Biometeorology German Meteorological Service Stefan-Meier-Str. 4, 79 104 Freiburg: Germany; Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg Werthmannstrasse 10, D-79 085 Freiburg: Germany