Numerical Model Simulation of Human Biometeorological Heat Load Conditions—Summer Day Case Study for the Chesapeake Bay Area

Abstract

During the warm season the spatial and temporal behavior of the biometeorological heat load in coastal regions is highly complex. Observational studies attempting to describe it usually are incomplete due to the scarcity of available meteorological data. The use of a mesoscale numerical model to overcome these disadvantages is suggested. The mesoseale numerical model of the University of Virginia has been applied to the Chesapeake Bay region in order to study a typical severe heat load episode during a summer day. The possibilities offered by this method are illustrated and discussed. Results indicate a general agreement, with the available observed data.