1. What is Wind Chill Temperature?

Wind chill is the perceived decrease in air temperature felt by the body on exposed skin due to the flow of air. It's an important measure for understanding how cold it feels rather than just how cold it is.

2. How is Wind Chill Calculated?

The calculator uses the current wind chill formula adopted by the National Weather Service:

Where:

• \( W \) — Wind chill temperature (°F)
• \( T \) — Air temperature (°F), must be ≤50°F
• \( V \) — Wind speed (mph), must be ≥3 mph

Explanation: The formula calculates how wind speed affects the perception of temperature on exposed human skin.

3. Importance of Wind Chill

Details: Wind chill is crucial for understanding frostbite and hypothermia risks. It helps determine appropriate clothing and precautions for cold weather activities.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter temperature in °F (must be 50°F or below) and wind speed in mph (must be at least 3 mph). The calculator will determine how cold it feels to exposed skin.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why doesn't wind chill affect objects?
A: Wind chill only describes how living tissue loses heat. Inanimate objects will cool to the actual air temperature.

Q2: 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.

Q3: Why is the formula only valid for certain temperatures?
A: The formula was developed for cold conditions where wind chill is most relevant (≤50°F). Above this, humidity becomes more important than wind for perceived temperature.

Q4: How does wind chill affect animals?
A: Similar to humans, though animals with thick fur have natural protection. Pets should be protected at wind chills below 0°F.

Q5: Is there a different formula for metric units?
A: Yes, when using Celsius and km/h, a different coefficient set is used in the calculation.