Las sensaciones térmicas en Cuba a través de la Temperatura Efectiva Equivalente y el Índice Térmico Universal del Clima

The use of bioclimatic indices is one of the most widely used approaches in Cuba for the characterization of thermal sensations. The present work has as objective: To determine the temporal behavior of the thermal sensations in Cuba applying the Equivalent Effective Temperature and the Universal Thermal Climate Index in the period 1981-2010. For this, a group of meteorological stations that characterize the coastal, inland and mountainous areas of the country have been selected. The results confirm that according to the Equivalent Effective Temperature the mornings of the dry period are characterized by being generally slight cold and less frequently they are cold or very cold and the highest frequencies of these conditions are registered towards the western half of the country. On the other hand, the afternoons from May to October are generally hot , becoming very hot in the months of July and August. The Universal Thermal Climate Index shows a similar distribution, but the slight cold and cold sensations present very low frequency towards the plains of the country in the morning hours when comfort and moderate heat sensations predominate throughout the year. It is confirmed through both indices that the mountainous areas have the most comfortable thermal conditions in the country. The results reaffirm that thermal sensations vary according to the geographical area, suggesting the influence of regional acclimatization, which is why it is necessary to calibrate the Universal Thermal Climate Index for the warm conditions of Cuba.