Wind chill
Increased wind speed results in increased heat loss. This is called the wind chill factor. You can walk outside in shirt sleeves in minus 40°C if it is absolutely calm but you may require the thickest of layers at minus 5°C if the wind is above gale force. Even the wind generated by walking can cause frostbite; a gale at minus 40°C is dangerous.
To calculate the wind chill factor use the following equation which is derived from the Nomogram of Rees, W.G. Polar Record 29 (170):229-234 (1993). The formula is [ -32 Ws /25 - Ts ]
Twc = 2 [ ----------------- + Ts ]
[ 2 + 1.5 Ws / 25 ]
where Twc = wind chill temperature, Ts is still air temperature and Ws is wind speed in metres/sec.
To make this easier, you can use the wind chill calculator.
The following table shows the "senstation" scale - how you will feel at a given wind chill temperature.
| Freezing cold |
below -25°C |
| Bitterly cold |
-25 to -15°C |
| Very cold |
-15 to -10°C |
| Cold |
-10 to 0°C |
| Very cool |
0 to 10°C |
| Cool |
10 to 15°C |
| Mild |
above 15°C |
The National Weather Service in the United States has developed a different formula for measuring wind chill. The NWS Wind Chill page has further information.
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