The Wind Chill Temperature is the temperature that it feels like outside to people and animals. Wind chill is based on the rate of heat loss from exposed skin caused by combined effects of wind and cold.
As the wind increases, heat is carried away from the body at an accelerated rate, driving down the skin temperature and eventually the internal body temperature. Therefore, the wind makes it feel much colder. If the temperature is 0 degrees Fahrenheit and the wind is blowing at 15 mph, the wind chill is -19 degrees Fahrenheit. At this wind chill temperature, exposed skin can freeze in 30 minutes.
This Wind Chill Temperature Index was issued by the National Weather Service and the Meteorological Services of Canada beginning with the 2001-2002 winter season and is the first significant change to the 1945 Siple and Passel Index.
Wind Chill / Frostbite Chart
Old vs New Wind Chill Index
Adapted from material provided by NOAA's Office of Climate, Water, and Weather Services
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