Validating the Copernicus European Regional Reanalysis (CERRA) Dataset for Human-Biometeorological Applications
In recent years, a considerable body of research has demonstrated the suitability of global and regional reanalysis data for human-biometeorological applications. These applications include the assessment of the outdoor thermal environment and the investigation of its relation to human health, espec...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2023-08-01
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| Series: | Environmental Sciences Proceedings |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4931/26/1/111 |
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| author | Elissavet Galanaki Christos Giannaros Ilias Agathangelidis Constantinos Cartalis Vassiliki Kotroni Konstantinos Lagouvardos Andreas Matzarakis |
| author_facet | Elissavet Galanaki Christos Giannaros Ilias Agathangelidis Constantinos Cartalis Vassiliki Kotroni Konstantinos Lagouvardos Andreas Matzarakis |
| author_sort | Elissavet Galanaki |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In recent years, a considerable body of research has demonstrated the suitability of global and regional reanalysis data for human-biometeorological applications. These applications include the assessment of the outdoor thermal environment and the investigation of its relation to human health, especially in areas where the spatial coverage of surface observational networks is sparse. Here, we present the first comprehensive evaluation of the most recent pan-European regional reanalysis, namely the Copernicus European Regional Reanalysis (CERRA) dataset at 5.5 km spatial resolution, in terms of simulating the observed human bioclimate, as expressed by the modified physiologically equivalent temperature (mPET) that is computed through the RayMan Pro model, and its meteorological drivers. The validation was performed over Greece using up to 11 years of records of 2 m air temperature and relative humidity, 10 m wind speed and global solar radiation derived from 35 sites of the nationwide network of surface weather stations operated by the METEO Unit at the National Observatory of Athens. The ERA5-Land dataset at ~9 km spatial resolution, which represents the current state-of-the-art reanalysis, was also compared against the same observations. Our findings show that the CERRA dataset performs significantly better compared to the ERA5-Land reanalysis with respect to the replication of the examined meteorological variables and mPET. The added value of the CERRA data is particularly evident during the warm period of the year and in regions that are characterized by complex topography and/or proximity to the coastline. Combining the CERRA dataset with population and mortality data, we further showcase its applicability for human-biometeorological and heat–health studies at a local scale, using the regional unit of Rethymno (Crete) as a pilot area for the analysis. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T18:18:26Z |
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| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T18:18:26Z |
| publishDate | 2023-08-01 |
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| record_format | Article |
| series | Environmental Sciences Proceedings |
| spelling | doaj.art-c7eaf1094a5c4df9a63aad33c791490b2024-03-27T13:37:21ZengMDPI AGEnvironmental Sciences Proceedings2673-49312023-08-0126111110.3390/environsciproc2023026111Validating the Copernicus European Regional Reanalysis (CERRA) Dataset for Human-Biometeorological ApplicationsElissavet Galanaki0Christos Giannaros1Ilias Agathangelidis2Constantinos Cartalis3Vassiliki Kotroni4Konstantinos Lagouvardos5Andreas Matzarakis6Institute for Environmental Research and Sustainable Development, National Observatory of Athens, Palea Penteli, 15236 Athens, GreeceDepartment of Physics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15784 Athens, GreeceDepartment of Physics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15784 Athens, GreeceDepartment of Physics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15784 Athens, GreeceInstitute for Environmental Research and Sustainable Development, National Observatory of Athens, Palea Penteli, 15236 Athens, GreeceInstitute for Environmental Research and Sustainable Development, National Observatory of Athens, Palea Penteli, 15236 Athens, GreeceResearch Centre Human Biometeorology, German Meteorological Service (DWD), D-79085 Freiburg, GermanyIn recent years, a considerable body of research has demonstrated the suitability of global and regional reanalysis data for human-biometeorological applications. These applications include the assessment of the outdoor thermal environment and the investigation of its relation to human health, especially in areas where the spatial coverage of surface observational networks is sparse. Here, we present the first comprehensive evaluation of the most recent pan-European regional reanalysis, namely the Copernicus European Regional Reanalysis (CERRA) dataset at 5.5 km spatial resolution, in terms of simulating the observed human bioclimate, as expressed by the modified physiologically equivalent temperature (mPET) that is computed through the RayMan Pro model, and its meteorological drivers. The validation was performed over Greece using up to 11 years of records of 2 m air temperature and relative humidity, 10 m wind speed and global solar radiation derived from 35 sites of the nationwide network of surface weather stations operated by the METEO Unit at the National Observatory of Athens. The ERA5-Land dataset at ~9 km spatial resolution, which represents the current state-of-the-art reanalysis, was also compared against the same observations. Our findings show that the CERRA dataset performs significantly better compared to the ERA5-Land reanalysis with respect to the replication of the examined meteorological variables and mPET. The added value of the CERRA data is particularly evident during the warm period of the year and in regions that are characterized by complex topography and/or proximity to the coastline. Combining the CERRA dataset with population and mortality data, we further showcase its applicability for human-biometeorological and heat–health studies at a local scale, using the regional unit of Rethymno (Crete) as a pilot area for the analysis.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4931/26/1/111human-biometeorologyclimate reanalysisCERRAERA5-Landhuman healthmPET |
| spellingShingle | Elissavet Galanaki Christos Giannaros Ilias Agathangelidis Constantinos Cartalis Vassiliki Kotroni Konstantinos Lagouvardos Andreas Matzarakis Validating the Copernicus European Regional Reanalysis (CERRA) Dataset for Human-Biometeorological Applications Environmental Sciences Proceedings human-biometeorology climate reanalysis CERRA ERA5-Land human health mPET |
| title | Validating the Copernicus European Regional Reanalysis (CERRA) Dataset for Human-Biometeorological Applications |
| title_full | Validating the Copernicus European Regional Reanalysis (CERRA) Dataset for Human-Biometeorological Applications |
| title_fullStr | Validating the Copernicus European Regional Reanalysis (CERRA) Dataset for Human-Biometeorological Applications |
| title_full_unstemmed | Validating the Copernicus European Regional Reanalysis (CERRA) Dataset for Human-Biometeorological Applications |
| title_short | Validating the Copernicus European Regional Reanalysis (CERRA) Dataset for Human-Biometeorological Applications |
| title_sort | validating the copernicus european regional reanalysis cerra dataset for human biometeorological applications |
| topic | human-biometeorology climate reanalysis CERRA ERA5-Land human health mPET |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4931/26/1/111 |
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