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Wind Chill Formula:
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Wind chill temperature is how cold people and animals feel when outside, based on the rate of heat loss from exposed skin caused by wind and cold. It combines the effects of air temperature and wind speed.
The calculator uses the National Weather Service wind chill formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates the wind chill index based on heat loss from exposed skin. It's only valid for temperatures at or below 50°F and wind speeds above 3 mph.
Details: Wind chill is important for understanding the risk of frostbite and hypothermia. As wind speed increases, heat is carried away from the body more quickly, making the temperature feel colder than it actually is.
Tips: Enter temperature in °F (must be ≤50°F) and wind speed in mph (must be ≥3 mph). The calculator will determine how cold it feels based on these values.
Q1: Why is wind chill only calculated for certain temperatures?
A: The formula was developed for conditions where frostbite and hypothermia are risks, which typically occur at temperatures ≤50°F with wind speeds ≥3 mph.
Q2: How does wind chill affect the body?
A: Wind chill accelerates heat loss from the body, increasing the risk of frostbite (freezing of skin tissue) and hypothermia (dangerously low body temperature).
Q3: Does wind chill affect objects like car engines or water pipes?
A: No, wind chill only affects how quickly living things lose heat. Objects will cool to the actual air temperature, not the wind chill temperature.
Q4: What's the difference between old and new wind chill formulas?
A: The current formula (adopted in 2001) is based on human face models and provides more accurate estimates of heat loss than the original 1945 formula.
Q5: At what wind chill does frostbite occur?
A: Frostbite can occur in 30 minutes at wind chills below -18°F, and in as little as 10 minutes at wind chills below -34°F.