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Heatwaves: Thermal Comfort Indices from ERA5 Reanalysis Dataset
Overview
Heatwaves are a significant climate risk characterized by prolonged periods of excessively hot weather, which can be detrimental to human health and comfort. The ERA5-HEAT dataset provides essential insights into thermal comfort indices that quantify human thermal stress during such events. This dataset is instrumental for research and planning in climatology, urban development, and public health initiatives.
ERA5-HEAT: Human Thermal Comfort Analysis
Analysis
The ERA5-HEAT dataset comprises an extensive historical reconstruction of Mean Radiant Temperature (MRT) and the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI), which are pivotal in assessing human thermal stress and discomfort in outdoor environments.[1] Derived from the ERA5 reanalysis by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), it merges model data with observations to offer a consistent global climate profile from January 1940 to the present.
Visualizations
Visual representations of the data illustrate the geographic distribution of thermal comfort levels across the globe and historical changes over time.
Global UTCI Map:
Heatwaves in the USA:
Historical Heatwave Data:
Heatwave Characteristics:
NetCDF format
This dataset uses NetCDF format:
NetCDF (Network Common Data Form) is a widely used data format for storing and distributing multi-dimensional scientific data, such as temperature, humidity, wind speed, and direction across various points in time and space. Developed and maintained by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR), it is particularly popular in the fields of meteorology, oceanography, and atmospheric science.
Sample Dataset
A sample of the ERA5-HEAT dataset is presented below, showcasing the format and type of data available.[5]
The sample header of the dataset, displayed in a tabular format, includes the following columns:
time: The specific time point for the data (in this sample, all rows correspond to '2023-07-01'). lon: Longitude values, indicating the geographical longitude where the measurement was taken. lat: Latitude values, indicating the geographical latitude where the measurement was taken. utci: Values of the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) at the respective time and geographical coordinates. This tabular representation shows how the UTCI values are mapped against specific time points and geographic locations (latitude and longitude). The UTCI values are indicative of human thermal comfort at these locations and times.
Full dataset access: ERA5-HEAT Dataset
References
- ↑ ERA5-HEAT Dataset Overview, ECMWF.
- ↑ Heatwaves Tweet, Robert Rohde via Twitter.
- ↑ Climate Change Indicators: Heat Waves, EPA.
- ↑ Climate Change Indicators: Heat Waves, EPA.
- ↑ ERA5-HEAT Sample Data, ECMWF.