WEATHER AND CIRCULATION TYPES ACCOMPANYING THERMAL AND HUMIDITY CONDITIONS UNFAVOURABLE TO THE HUMAN HEALTH IN SUMMER IN KRAKOW (POLAND)
d. CIARANEK
ABSTRACT. – Weather and circulation types accompanying thermal and humidity conditions unfavourable to the human health in summer in Krakow (Poland). The paper presents the results of a study analysing the frequency of occurrence and patterns of change in the human perception of temperature in relation to types of weather and circulation in Krakow. The Humidex index used for the purpose was determined at three measurement times (6, 12, 18 UTC) with data spanning the period 1961-2012. The frequency of occurrence of all types of discomfort situation was found to be on the increase. Days with some discomfort occurred most frequently during non-advection situations, (especially in the centre of a meteorological high or anticyclonic wedge), accompanied by transformed polar maritime air or continental polar air. The weather varied greatly on such days, from cloudy to sunny and with or without precipitation. Days with high discomfort levels were associated with the advection of tropical air accompanied typically by very hot, sweltering weather, and by dry, very sunny weather.
Keywords: Humidex index, unfavourable bioclimatic conditions, weather types, circulation types.