What does biometeorology mean?
Biometeorology is the interdisciplinary science that investigates how weather and atmospheric conditions affect living organisms, with particular emphasis on human health and behaviour. Practitioners examine phenomena such as the influence of heatwaves on mortality, the relationship between air pressure changes and joint pain or migraines, seasonal shifts in mood, and the physiological stress caused by wind, humidity, and temperature extremes. The field draws on methods from meteorology, physiology, medicine, and ecology, and its findings inform public-health planning, urban design, and agricultural practice. Research in this area appears in dedicated outlets such as the International Journal of Biometeorology. Though largely confined to academic and technical registers rather than everyday speech, the word captures a growing contemporary concern: as climate change intensifies weather extremes, understanding their biological consequences has become increasingly urgent and practically valuable.
nounThe scientific study of the effects of weather and atmospheric conditions on living organisms, including human health, behaviour, and wellbeing.
- The branch of science that studies the interactions between atmospheric processes and living organisms, particularly the impact of weather on human health and behaviour.
"Researchers in biometeorology have shown that sudden temperature drops can trigger an increase in heart attacks."
"The International Journal of Biometeorology publishes research linking heatwaves to spikes in mortality rates."
"As a specialist in biometeorology, she advised city planners on designing public spaces that mitigate the health effects of extreme heat."
Rarely used; the noun is almost always uncountable when referring to the discipline as a whole. A plural might appear only when distinguishing distinct schools or regional traditions within the field.
"Comparative studies of national biometeorologies reveal markedly different priorities in hot versus cold climates."
Your aching joints on a rainy morning aren't imaginary — biometeorologists have spent decades studying exactly why weather gets under your skin.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of biometeorology
Biometeorology is a modern scientific compound formed from Greek roots: 'bios' meaning life, and 'meteorologia', from 'meteōron' (thing high in the air) combined with '-logy' (study). The term emerged in the twentieth century as scientists formalised the study of weather's biological effects, with the International Society of Biometeorology founded in 1956. It shares these Greek elements with related terms such as biology, meteorology, and biometry.
Related word forms
How biometeorology is actually used
A formal, technical term used almost exclusively in academic, medical, and environmental-science contexts; rarely heard in everyday conversation. The field sits at the intersection of meteorology, biology, physiology, and medicine.
Easily confused with biometeorology
Meteorology is the general study of weather and climate itself, whereas biometeorology focuses specifically on how those atmospheric conditions affect living things.
Bioclimatology examines the long-term effects of climate on organisms, while biometeorology is concerned with shorter-term, day-to-day weather influences.