PHYSIOLOGIC CLIMATES OF THE CONTERMINOUS UNITED STATES: A BIOCLIMATIC CLASSIFICATION BASED ON MAN

ABSTRACT

This study deals with human comfort expressed in a physio-climatic classification. Four physiological and psychological reactions of man to temperature, relative humidity, wind chill, and solar radiation are combined into two nomograms from which average human reactions can be deduced. Comfort and Wind Effect Indices are applied to meteorological data of the conterminous United States for July and January, daytime and nighttime, respectively. Maps combining both indices for July apply the classification on a larger scale (Southern California), and on a smaller scale (U.S.). A map of annual physio-climatic extremes synthesizes in generalized form how man tends to feel in various areas on a yearly basis. Thus, a three-step system results which attempts to revise certain conventional notions about comfort regions. No paradoxical distributions are apparent and the classification seems limited only by the availablity and reliability of data. The scheme is applicable to any dimension: time or region, and is considered a contribution to medical geography, climatological education, tourism, military geography, housing, clothing, and a general analytical tool, introducing greater precision into geography.