Thermal comfort index reached a critical threshold

The thermal comfort index reached the maximum admitted of 80 units in several cities in southern Romania, this causing the population to take additional protective measures against heat, the National Meteorology Administration warns us.

The thermal comfort index is an index which corroborates temperature with relative humidity to determine an apparent temperature – the one felt my the human body.
Normally, the body cools by sweating, process through which the water evaporates, and the heat thus retained is subsequently diminished.

When the relative humidity is high, the evaporation rate is reduced.

This involves a slower cooling of the body, which retains more heat that it would in dry air.

According to the map of thermal comfort index published on Thursday on the NMA, the cities where the critic threshold equalled or is close to the admitted level (between 78 and 80) are Bucharest, Afumaţi, Fundulea and Cernavodă.

Also, the maximum index of 80 units applies to the Oltenia region and the Danube Sfântu Gheorghe.

A thermal index of 80 units was recorded in the West, as well, in Sânnicolau Mare.

The areas protected from the heat, and implicitly from a great degree of thermal discomfort appear on the NMA map at the Omu Peak (index52), Bâlea Lake (59) and Călimani (61).

The index of ultraviolet radiation

Regarding the index for ultraviolet radiation, this has exceeded the threshold of 9 at the seaside, notified on the NMA map in orange, while in the southern half of the country the index ranges between eight and nine.

This index represents an international assessment of the level of ultraviolet radiation on the Earth’s surface and is calculated to help people protect themselves. The estimated level refers to the middle of the day, under clear skies.

Translated by: Manuela Stancu
MA Student, MTTLC, Bucharest University