• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.312-323
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• 2008

The purpose of this paper is to analyze thermal sensation which is measured by human physioclimatic reactions in South Korea. Relationships between Temperature-Humidity Index(THI) and human thermal sensation scale are derived from a questionnaire, which investigates degree of volunteer's thermal sensation with respect to each biometeorological condition. Analyses of these empirical relationships make it possible to calculate thermal sensational indices and to classify bioclimatic types for individual weather stations based on long-term(1971-2000) averages of monthly temperature and humidity data. A generalized annual physioclimatic maps for each Annual Cumulative Thermal Sensation Index for the 68 stations are constructed to show men tend to feel in various areas. The Monthly thermal sensations are affected by latitude, altitude, orographic effects and systems of airmasses. The Annual Cumulative Thermal sensations are increasing towards northern areas and inland, and that the major factors are largely derived from cold stress in winter. The Annual Physioclimatic Types are grouped 8 climatic types(M, ES, M-ES, M-S, W-ES, C-ES, C-M, C-M-ES) according to climatic stress. Results of this study can be applied for evaluation of thermal environment in our daily activities, and for searching relevant sports training-sites, climatherapy etc.