Changes in bioclimatic conditions on the coast of the Labrador Peninsula in the second half of the 18th century

Abstract The article presents the bioclimate of the north-eastern part of the Labrador Peninsula estimated based on meteorological observations from three measuring stations: Nain, Okak and Hopedale. The meteorological measurements were taken by members of the Moravian Church conducting religious missions in the area. Two-time slots were designated: from September 1776 to August 1786, for which data exist for Nain and Okak stations; from September 1782 to August 1786 (with a year-long gap from September 1784 to August 1785), for which data exist for all three stations (Nain, Okak and Hopedale). The following indices were used: Wind Chill Temperature (WCT), Wind Chill Index (WCI) and Insulation Predicted (Iclp). The results were compared with the bioclimatic conditions in Nain from the contemporary period (1991–2000). It was found that, in the first of the specified time intervals (lasting 10 years), bioclimatic conditions were less bearable for humans in Nain than in Okak (for Nain and Okak the index values were as follows: WCT ˗0.8 °C and ˗0.4 °C, WCI 874.1 W∙m ˗2 and 802.2 W∙m ˗2 , Iclp equal 1.7 clo). In the second time period (only 3 years), the most difficult conditions prevailed at the Okak station while the most favourable were recorded at Hopedale (for Nain, Okak and Hopedale the index values were as follows: WCT ˗1.0 °C, ˗1.4 °C and 0.5 °C, WCI 881.6 W∙m ˗2 , 838.4 W∙m ˗2 and 819.6 W∙m ˗2 , Iclp 1.7 clo, 1.8 clo and 1.7 clo). At each station, conditions for humans were more favourable during the historical periods than in the contemporary period (WCT ˗2.7 °C, WCI 987.9 W∙m ˗2 , Iclp 1.9 clo). The most important role in this matter was played by wind speed, which was higher in 1991–2000 than in the second half of the 18th century.