How are the Wet Bulb Globe Thermometer components affected by the microclimatic environment?

Abstract

The Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) index is used mostly to assess different types of working environments or sports events where heat stress may arise. However most index users do not reflect upon how the microclimate itself affect the index they measure, which is what this article investigated. To investigate the effect of the microclimate on the WBGT index, measurements were taken during different weather conditions in a private garden using two WBGT monitors. Also a modelled WBGT estimation based on metrological data was preformed, to investigate if metrological data can be used to replicate WBGT measurements. Since metrological data is so widely available and continuous in comparison to the timeconsuming process of using WBGT instruments. The experiment result showed that during different weather conditions the microclimate can change the measured index considerably. The modelled WBGT estimations showed a good correlation to the measured WBGT index, indicating that metrological data can be used to some extent to model WBGT index. However the modeled estimations could be improved with higher temporal resolution metrological data.