# UTCI explained

The UTCI tab allows users to analyze outdoor thermal comfort for a combination of different meteorological conditions based on the presence or absence of sun and wind.

![Logos highlighting the different scenarios which can be displayed in Clima](https://491114279-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MhupA7DXRC4lRDTpJQJ%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-640c1b13dcab7e6222706ee4830d9cd6a7dd0e97%2FUTCI%2001-01.jpg?alt=media)

Clima leverages the several models implemented in [Pythermalcomfort](https://pythermalcomfort.readthedocs.io/en/latest/).

* The "[Solar gain on people](https://pythermalcomfort.readthedocs.io/en/latest/reference/pythermalcomfort.html#solar-gain-on-people)" calculates the solar gain to the human body, so the mean radiant temperature. To simulate a sunless situation, Clima considers the person surrounded by surfaces that shade him, all of which tend toward dry bulb temperature;
* Wind data is obtained directly from the weather file. The windless situation sets the value at 0.5 m/s, which is the minimum value allowed by the UTCI model.

The UTCI can then be visualized for the entire year for the scenario chosen.

<figure><img src="https://491114279-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MhupA7DXRC4lRDTpJQJ%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-4913132a9172b25a90510154f057d340f3a362c0%2FPerceived%20T%20copia.png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption><p>UTCI perceived temperature annual heatmap in the four conditions for <strong>Rome, ITA</strong></p></figcaption></figure>

The values are then converted into a scale assessing thermal stress, either because of cold or heat. Therefore, a second chart maps if people will experience thermal stress for all the hours of the year for corresponding UTCI temperatures.

<figure><img src="https://491114279-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MhupA7DXRC4lRDTpJQJ%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-4b4e0b050167884c43114347d60c54a50c8e63ed%2FUTCI%20Index%20copia.png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption><p>UTCI heat stress index heatmap in the four conditions for <strong>Rome, ITA</strong></p></figcaption></figure>

The UTCI is a useful tool to design the outdoor space, to maximize the number of comfortable hours. The designer can influence two factors out of the four driving outdoor comfort: radiant temperature (i.e. exposure to the sun) and wind speed (i.e. exposure to the wind).
