Copernicus Maps Show: Heat Stress in Vienna Increases Drastically
Hotter summers, more tropical nights: What many people in cities have long felt is now being substantiated with impressive data. The new platform "Thermal Trace" of the Copernicus Climate Change Service shows the development of heat and cold stress worldwide over a period of 85 years on a world map.
Heatwaves in Austria More Frequent and Intense
For Austria, the maps confirm a massive increase in heat days with health-impacting "perceived" temperature, especially in the east and southeast of the country. In Vienna, the last year with fewer than 80 days of heat stress was recorded in 2017. In recent years, the values have sometimes been over 100 days annually.
"The repeated and intense heatwaves that many of us have experienced in recent months are just one example of the impacts of heat stress," explains climate researcher Rebecca Emerton. The Copernicus service not only shows objective temperatures but also takes into account wind, humidity, and radiation – factors that influence the perceived temperature.
Online Tool for Individual Evaluation
The freely accessible tool allows users to select specific regions, time periods, and stress levels. This enables trends to be analyzed at a local level as well – a valuable instrument for urban planning, healthcare, and climate policy.
The platform is part of the European Earth Observation Program Copernicus, which systematically collects and processes data on environmental and climate change.
(APA/Red)
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