Biometeorology studies how atmospheric conditions affect people. Everyone responds differently, but several factors recur in research and reports from weather-sensitive people. Below are the ones included in this map.
Weather sensitivity
Weather sensitivity can involve headaches, sleepiness, irritability, reduced concentration, joint pain or lighter sleep during weather changes. It is not a separate disease, and severity varies widely. It is reported more often by people with migraine, cardiovascular or rheumatic conditions.
A passing weather front is a commonly reported trigger, changing pressure, temperature, humidity and wind within hours. The map therefore considers daily changes, not only current values.
Atmospheric pressure, headache and migraine
Average sea-level pressure is about 1013 hPa, but the rate of change matters more for wellbeing. Some migraine studies associate attacks with rapid pressure drops. We treat a daily change above 6 hPa as rapid.
The ‘Pressure change’ layer shows where changes are greatest in Poland. The ‘Head / migraine’ score rises with these changes and very high humidity.
Heat, apparent temperature and circulation
Apparent temperature combines air temperature, humidity, wind and sunshine. Above about 30°C, heat dissipation increases: vessels dilate, blood pressure can fall, heart rate and water loss rise. Older people and those with heart disease may be especially affected.
Rapid daily temperature changes also affect circulation. Nights with minimum temperatures of 18°C or more make cooling before sleep harder, so the model includes them in its sleep score.
PM2.5 and pollen: breathing
PM2.5 particles are small enough to reach deep into the lungs. WHO's 2021 guideline recommends a daily average no higher than 15 µg/m³. Levels in Poland's heating season can exceed this substantially, especially on still evenings.
Birch, alder, grass and ragweed are major airborne allergens in Poland, each with its own season. The map uses the highest of these four pollen concentrations.
Geomagnetic storms and sleep
Solar activity disturbs Earth's magnetic field. The planetary Kp index ranges from 0 to 9; Kp 5 marks a geomagnetic storm. Some studies link these periods to sleep and blood-pressure changes, but evidence is weaker than for weather and pollution.
Kp therefore has little weight, mainly in the sleep score. If NOAA data is unavailable, the model defaults to a quiet day rather than suggesting an unsupported storm.
UV radiation and daylight
On the WHO UV scale, 3–5 is moderate, 6–7 high and 8 or above very high. Protect your skin and eyes around midday when UV is high.
Light also influences circadian rhythm. Morning daylight helps set the body clock, while limiting bright blue light in the evening supports sleep. Short autumn and winter days can affect energy, so the panel shows day length and a local light plan.