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Human-biometeorological assessment of heat waves in Athens

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Abstract

The goal of this study is the analysis of heat waves and their impact on humans, using human biometeorological indices, which are based on the energy balance of the human body. The implications for humans are not only described through the intensity of the heat waves, but also through their duration over consecutive days. Both intensity and duration were analyzed for the Greater Athens Area during the period 1955 to 2001. The analysis was carried out using the daily physiologically equivalent temperature and the daily minimum air temperature. Based on these two parameters, the results showed an increase in the average duration of heat waves. Furthermore, the use of the Gaussian filter revealed the intra-annual variation of heat stress conditions and their relevance to humans. The results could be used for the management of the negative consequences of heat waves in cities suffering from environmental pollution and also for climate impact studies.

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Acknowledgments

Thanks to the Hellenic National Meteorological Service for providing the data from the Hellinikon station.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Meteorological Institute, Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany

    Andreas Matzarakis

  2. Laboratory of Climatology and Atmospheric Environment, Faculty of Geology and Geoenvironment, University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, GR 157 84, Athens, Greece

    Panagiotis T. Nastos

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  1. Andreas Matzarakis
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  2. Panagiotis T. Nastos
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Correspondence to Panagiotis T. Nastos.

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Matzarakis, A., Nastos, P.T. Human-biometeorological assessment of heat waves in Athens. Theor Appl Climatol 105, 99–106 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00704-010-0379-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00704-010-0379-3

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