NORTH-SOUTH VARIATION OF BIOCLIMATIC PARAMETERS IN ARGENTINA DURING SUMMER MONTHS

ABSTRACT For the description of the thermal bioclimatic factors the parameters Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) and Physiologically Equivalent Temperature (PET) are well suitable. With the software RayMan we, for the first time, computed daily values for PMV and PET on the basis of the 8 or 24 per day synoptic observations at eight Argentine stations of La Quiaca (24 ° S) to Ushuaia (55 ° S) for 12 h, 15 h and 18 h local time for the period 1.1.1996 to 31.12.2005. To ensure comparability the calculations refer to a standard person with given clothing and activity. The investigated bioclimate conditions of a ten year period of PMV and PET for the summer months (December to February) show the variability of thermal comfort conditions at eight locations from north (La Quiaca) to south (Ushuaia) of Argentina. In the histograms, the frequency with which threshold values of PET were exceeded are shown. Clear differences between the locations in terms of bioclimate are also visible. The latter are of particular relevance for the description of climate for tourism as well as other recreational outdoor activities in Argentina