Climatic changes in the Kielce region (1966–2023): implications for environmental dynamics and human health risks

Introduction
Climate change significantly affects environmental dynamics and public health. In Poland, rising temperatures intensify local thermal conditions. This study analyzes temperature and precipitation trends in the Kielce region (1966–2023) based on data from the Kielce-Suków station. The aim is to assess these climatic shifts and their impact on ecosystems and health risks, including cardiovascular diseases, providing a basis for regional adaptation strategies.

Material and methods
The analysis focused on the course of air temperature and monthly precipitation totals for the period 1966–2023, as recorded by the hydrological and meteorological station of the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management (IMWM) in Kielce-Suków.

Results
Based on the collected data, a thermal and precipitation classification was performed, along with an extended analysis of these elements in the vicinity of Kielce. The results confirm a clear warming trend in the Kielce region, with an increasing number of months being warmer than average over the study period. A decline in the number of colder months was observed, which is a typical symptom of climate change. The average annual temperature has been increasing by approximately 0.03°C per year, which translates to about 0.33°C per decade and around 1°C over a 30-year period. A total increase of 1.62°C was recorded from 1966 to 2023, indicating a marked warming of the climate. According to the conducted projection, a further increase of about 1°C is expected by the year 2028.

Conclusions
Such warming not only affects natural and agricultural systems but also raises concerns for public health, as higher average and extreme temperatures increase the risk of heat stress, and cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, and exacerbate conditions such as asthma and allergies.