Wind chill

Wind chill is the perceived decrease in air temperature felt by the body on exposed skin due to the flow of air. It is based on the rate of heat loss from exposed skin caused by the combined effects of low temperature and wind speed.

The wind chill temperature is always lower than the air temperature, and it is used to assess the risk of cold-related illnesses and frostbite. The concept of wind chill was developed to provide a more accurate measure of how cold it feels outside, taking into account the impact of wind on the human body.

The wind chill factor is calculated using a mathematical formula that takes into account the air temperature and the wind speed. Different countries may use different formulas to calculate wind chill, but they all aim to provide an estimate of how cold it feels due to the combination of temperature and wind. For example, the U.S. and Canadian weather services use a model accepted by the National Weather Service.

The original formula for the index was developed by Paul Allman Siple and Charles F. Passel, who worked in the Antarctic before World War II. The formula has evolved over time, and various alternative approaches and formulas exist for calculating wind chill. The values obtained from these formulas are used to issue warnings and advisories to help people protect themselves from the dangerous effects of cold and wind.

A wind chill watch is issued when the wind chill could reach dangerous levels within the next 12 to 48 hours. The exact criteria for issuing a watch may vary, but it is generally based on the forecasted combination of low temperatures and high winds that could lead to life-threatening wind chills. During a wind chill watch, people are advised to take precautions to protect themselves against hypothermia and frostbite when going outside.

In summary, wind chill is an important factor in assessing the impact of cold and wind on the human body. It is used to issue warnings and advisories to help people stay safe during periods of extreme cold and high winds.

By taking into account both air temperature and wind speed, the wind chill factor provides a more accurate measure of how cold it feels outside, helping individuals make informed decisions about outdoor activities and protective measures.

For more detailed information, you can refer to the Wikipedia page on Wind chill: Wind chill – Wikipedia

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Citations:
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wind_chill

Wind_chill (Wikipedia)

This article is about the meteorological effect of "wind chill". For other uses, see Wind chill (disambiguation).

Wind chill (popularly wind chill factor) is the sensation of cold produced by the wind for a given ambient air temperature on exposed skin as the air motion accelerates the rate of heat transfer from the body to the surrounding atmosphere. Its values are always lower than the air temperature in the range where the formula is valid. When the apparent temperature is higher than the air temperature, the heat index is used instead.