Human thermal bioclimate of the Swiss-Austrian alpine region based on estimates of the clothing thermal resistance model

Abstract

Abstract Human thermal bioclimate of the Swiss-Austrian alpine region in the period 1991–2020 is simulated by using a clothing thermal resistance model. Clothing thermal resistance (rcl) is estimated for people that are either walking or standing. Climatic data are taken from the ERA5-Land dataset. The human anthropometric data used in the simulations correspond to that of a person with a body mass index of 25 kgm-2. The most important results of the study are as follows: 1) The rcl values are around 0–0.5 clo in the lower areas of the region in July, regardless of whether people are walking or standing. This thermal load causes a "neutral" thermal perception in the vast majority of people. Concerning the swiss region, it is the surroundings of Lake Geneva and the southernmost areas of Canton of Ticino that have the smallest heat deficit, while in Austria these are the vicinity of Lake Neusiedl. 2) In July, in the high mountains, the highest rcl values for a standing person are around 0.4–0.8 clo. 3) In January, the highest rcl values for a standing person can even reach 6 clo. In these cases the difference between the rcl values of standing and walking people can be as much as 2.5–3 clo. The main message of this study is that human thermal bioclimate maps can be used as climate maps, regardless of the fact that climate is not characterized in terms of water supply.