Universal Thermal Climate Index
Also known as: UTCI
UTCI is an equivalent temperature — the temperature a reference environment would need to have to produce the same physiological response as the current one. It's designed to be valid across all climates and seasons.
Scientific detail
UTCI is derived from a coupled multi-node human thermoregulation model and clothing model, expressed as the equivalent air temperature of a reference environment producing an identical dynamic physiological response. Inputs are air temperature, mean radiant temperature, humidity and wind. UTCI stress categories range from 'extreme cold stress' (< −40 °C) to 'extreme heat stress' (> +46 °C), providing an internationally comparable metric for climate-health services.
Related terms
Heat Stress
The thermal load a human body experiences from its environment.
Mean Radiant Temperature
The average temperature of every surface radiating heat toward a person.
Thermal Comfort
The condition in which a person is neither too hot nor too cold.
Wet Bulb Globe Temperature
A composite heat index widely used to set safe limits for outdoor work, sport and military training.
JOS-3
A validated multi-node human thermoregulation model used inside HeatLens.
Where this concept shows up on MEER
Explore in topic hubs
Curated collections of MEER research, projects, publications and stories that feature this term.
Heat Resilience
MEER's work on heat resilience: physiological modeling with JOS-3, WBGT and UTCI measurement, HeatLens risk assessment, and community projects that protect the most exposed populations.
Measurement & Data
MEER's measurement stack: environmental sensors, physiological modeling (JOS-3), HeatLens risk assessment, and the data that grounds every deployment.