VARIABILITY OF BIOMETEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS IN THE NORTH-WESTERN PART OF POLAND

ABSTRACT

The main subject of the paper is the spatial and temporal variability of biometeorological conditions in the north-western part of Poland during the period from 1951 to 2015. Bioclimate constitutes an important element of human life. Extreme phenomena are of importance. The occurrence of unfavourable biometeorological conditions according to Apparent Temperature (AT) was analysed. AT is expressed as the temperature which, under reference humidity conditions, determined by the dew point temperature equal to 14℃, providing the same physiological discomfort as in the actual thermal and humid conditions. The formula of the AT recommended by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, including air temperature, air humidity and wind speed values was used. The frequency of the occurrence of cases when the AT values were higher than the air temperature were determined as well as the values of 90% empirical quintile of the AT, which is the criterion of extreme values. The analysis revealed the appearance of symptoms of changes of bioclimatic conditions, however they are not the same all over the considered area. No regularity can be found in the spa-tial diversity of the direction and the rate of changes.

Keywords: bioclimate, Poland, Apparent temperature, extreme conditions, climate change