Wind Speed Trend Effects on the Length of the Thermal Comfort Period in European Russia in Recent Decades

Abstract

The combination of the parameters of temperature, humidity, and wind conditions of surface air, solar radiation fluxes, human metabolism under various modes of physical exertion and clothing properties characterize the thermal comfort. Under conditions of global warming, the climate characteristics that affect the quality of life, health, and well-being of people, in particular, the length of thermal comfort periods, are changing. Bioclimatic indices that determine the thermal comfort conditions depend not only on temperature changes, but also on humidity and wind speed trends. When comparing the results of the calculations of the thermal comfort period length with the use of air temperature observations and major bioclimatic indices, the authors have revealed a significant difference in the effect of changes in average wind speed on the length of the thermal comfort period in different regions of European Russia.