Attribution of Air Temperature Variation to the Incidence of COVID‐19

Abstract COVID‐19 incidence exhibits periodic fluctuations, and recurring waves of infection could lead to large‐scale future outbreaks. Air temperature is a key factor influencing COVID‐19 transmission, but in‐depth research on its specific mechanisms and quantitative effects remains limited. This...

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Main Authors: Rui Wang, Jianping Huang, Xinbo Lian, Han Li, Yingjie Zhao, Beidou Zhang, Dongliang Han
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-07-01
Series:Geophysical Research Letters
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1029/2025GL116345
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author Rui Wang
Jianping Huang
Xinbo Lian
Han Li
Yingjie Zhao
Beidou Zhang
Dongliang Han
author_facet Rui Wang
Jianping Huang
Xinbo Lian
Han Li
Yingjie Zhao
Beidou Zhang
Dongliang Han
author_sort Rui Wang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract COVID‐19 incidence exhibits periodic fluctuations, and recurring waves of infection could lead to large‐scale future outbreaks. Air temperature is a key factor influencing COVID‐19 transmission, but in‐depth research on its specific mechanisms and quantitative effects remains limited. This study investigates temperature‐COVID‐19 relationships using 412,167 daily cases from China's 31 provinces (2020–2022). Results demonstrate that both sustained cold and rapid cooling significantly elevate transmission risks, with distinct regional thresholds: when temperatures fall below 3.15°C (North), 0.55°C (Northeast), 16.39°C (East), 9.38°C (Central), 13.39°C (Southwest), and −5.56°C (Northwest) accompanied by respective drops of >0.32, >0.67, >0.12, >2.12, >1.42, and >1.55°C, outbreak risks surge. Cold conditions directly drove 88.06% of cases, while temperature drops accounted for 59.33%. The highest relative risk of COVID‐19 incidence due to extreme low temperatures can reach 4.53. This study addresses gaps in understanding temperature‐COVID‐19 relationships and provides evidence to guide targeted epidemic control strategies during adverse weather conditions.
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spelling doaj-art-57aa7a49fec24d38896eb97effd954942025-08-20T02:46:20ZengWileyGeophysical Research Letters0094-82761944-80072025-07-015214n/an/a10.1029/2025GL116345Attribution of Air Temperature Variation to the Incidence of COVID‐19Rui Wang0Jianping Huang1Xinbo Lian2Han Li3Yingjie Zhao4Beidou Zhang5Dongliang Han6Collaborative Innovation Center for West Ecological Safety College of Atmospheric Sciences Lanzhou University Lanzhou ChinaCollaborative Innovation Center for West Ecological Safety College of Atmospheric Sciences Lanzhou University Lanzhou ChinaCollaborative Innovation Center for West Ecological Safety College of Atmospheric Sciences Lanzhou University Lanzhou ChinaCollaborative Innovation Center for West Ecological Safety College of Atmospheric Sciences Lanzhou University Lanzhou ChinaCollaborative Innovation Center for West Ecological Safety College of Atmospheric Sciences Lanzhou University Lanzhou ChinaCollaborative Innovation Center for West Ecological Safety College of Atmospheric Sciences Lanzhou University Lanzhou ChinaCollaborative Innovation Center for West Ecological Safety College of Atmospheric Sciences Lanzhou University Lanzhou ChinaAbstract COVID‐19 incidence exhibits periodic fluctuations, and recurring waves of infection could lead to large‐scale future outbreaks. Air temperature is a key factor influencing COVID‐19 transmission, but in‐depth research on its specific mechanisms and quantitative effects remains limited. This study investigates temperature‐COVID‐19 relationships using 412,167 daily cases from China's 31 provinces (2020–2022). Results demonstrate that both sustained cold and rapid cooling significantly elevate transmission risks, with distinct regional thresholds: when temperatures fall below 3.15°C (North), 0.55°C (Northeast), 16.39°C (East), 9.38°C (Central), 13.39°C (Southwest), and −5.56°C (Northwest) accompanied by respective drops of >0.32, >0.67, >0.12, >2.12, >1.42, and >1.55°C, outbreak risks surge. Cold conditions directly drove 88.06% of cases, while temperature drops accounted for 59.33%. The highest relative risk of COVID‐19 incidence due to extreme low temperatures can reach 4.53. This study addresses gaps in understanding temperature‐COVID‐19 relationships and provides evidence to guide targeted epidemic control strategies during adverse weather conditions.https://doi.org/10.1029/2025GL116345COVID‐19air temperatureincidenceprevention and control strategiesDLNM
spellingShingle Rui Wang
Jianping Huang
Xinbo Lian
Han Li
Yingjie Zhao
Beidou Zhang
Dongliang Han
Attribution of Air Temperature Variation to the Incidence of COVID‐19
Geophysical Research Letters
COVID‐19
air temperature
incidence
prevention and control strategies
DLNM
title Attribution of Air Temperature Variation to the Incidence of COVID‐19
title_full Attribution of Air Temperature Variation to the Incidence of COVID‐19
title_fullStr Attribution of Air Temperature Variation to the Incidence of COVID‐19
title_full_unstemmed Attribution of Air Temperature Variation to the Incidence of COVID‐19
title_short Attribution of Air Temperature Variation to the Incidence of COVID‐19
title_sort attribution of air temperature variation to the incidence of covid 19
topic COVID‐19
air temperature
incidence
prevention and control strategies
DLNM
url https://doi.org/10.1029/2025GL116345
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