دانشگاه بیرجند-گروه پژوهشی خشکسالی وتغییراقلیم مجله پژوهش های خشکسالی و تغییراقلیم 3092-6076 مقالات آماده انتشار 2026 06 15 Long-term assessment of cold stress in Tabriz: Temporal analysis of sensible temperature and heat loss indices Long-term assessment of cold stress in Tabriz: Temporal analysis of sensible temperature and heat loss indices 4040 10.22077/jdcr.2026.11285.1233 FA Mahdi Shojaei Graduated from the Department of Climatology and Geomorphology, Faculty of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar, Iran 0000-0002-1969-7659 Alireza Entezari Department of Climatology and Geomorphology, Faculty of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar, Iran. 0000-0001-7093-0172 Mohammad Baaghideh Department of Climatology and Geomorphology, Faculty of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar, Iran. 0000-0002-4453-6267 Journal Article 2026 05 08 The wind chill phenomenon plays a significant role in thermal comfort and cold stress in cold climates. This study evaluates the long-term evolution of cold stress in Tabriz by analyzing daily mean temperature and wind speed data from the Tabriz synoptic station over a 63-year period (1961–2023). The Wind Chill Equivalent Temperature (WCET) and Heat Loss indices were calculated using standard meteorological models. Trend and mutation analyses were conducted utilizing the Mann–Kendall test, Sen's slope estimator, and Sequential Mann–Kendall (SMK) analysis, following autocorrelation pre-processing. The results indicate a gradual warming tendency in annual mean WCET, alongside a general, though statistically non-significant, decreasing tendency in the persistence of prolonged cold spells. SMK analysis suggests a structural shift around 1975, after which the duration of cold spells exhibited a downward trajectory characterized by strong interannual and temporal fluctuations. While the frequency and intensity of extreme cold events have diminished compared to the 1960s and 1970s, the potential for severe cold waves remains. The findings provide empirical data that can inform regional climate change adaptation strategies and urban infrastructure planning. The wind chill phenomenon plays a significant role in thermal comfort and cold stress in cold climates. This study evaluates the long-term evolution of cold stress in Tabriz by analyzing daily mean temperature and wind speed data from the Tabriz synoptic station over a 63-year period (1961–2023). The Wind Chill Equivalent Temperature (WCET) and Heat Loss indices were calculated using standard meteorological models. Trend and mutation analyses were conducted utilizing the Mann–Kendall test, Sen's slope estimator, and Sequential Mann–Kendall (SMK) analysis, following autocorrelation pre-processing. The results indicate a gradual warming tendency in annual mean WCET, alongside a general, though statistically non-significant, decreasing tendency in the persistence of prolonged cold spells. SMK analysis suggests a structural shift around 1975, after which the duration of cold spells exhibited a downward trajectory characterized by strong interannual and temporal fluctuations. While the frequency and intensity of extreme cold events have diminished compared to the 1960s and 1970s, the potential for severe cold waves remains. The findings provide empirical data that can inform regional climate change adaptation strategies and urban infrastructure planning.