" Wind Chill" is a frequently misunderstood term. It is not actually a temperature scale but a measurement of heat loss from the combined effect of wind and low temperatures. Another way to look at the wind chill factor is that it is the temperature a person or pet feels because of the wind. If you've ever used a fan to cool yourself on a hot day, then you've felt the effects of a wind chill. A breeze doesn't make the temperature drop, but it can make it seem as if the temperature is cooler than it actually is.
Here's how it works. The basic law of thermodynamics says that any object warmer than its surroundings will lose heat. Normally we have an invisible layer of "still" air on the surface of our skin that acts like a blanket of insulation and slows our loss of body heat. Blowing wind reduces this insulating layer of warm air next to our skin and increases our rate of heat loss. The faster the wind blows, the more quickly we lose heat. Secondly, wind draws away body heat by quickly evaporating any moisture that forms on the skin; the stronger the wind, the greater the evaporation and the colder you feel.
The wind chill factor becomes critical when the air temperature drops below the freezing point. If wind is taking away heat faster than our bodies can replace it, we can end up with frostbite. The danger of frostbite increases sharply as the air temperature falls and the wind speed climbs.
Frostbite occurs when skin and the underlying tissues freeze. The areas most likely to be affected by cold temperatures or low wind chill factor are the hands, feet, nose, and ears, and paws. The symptoms of frostbite are a definite lack of sensitivity to touch, although there is probably a sharp, aching pain. The skin becomes hard, pale, cold and white patches may be seen. In severe cases the blood vessels are damaged. To treat frostbite, never rub or immerse the affected area in hot water. Use warm water, 100º F to 105º F. Or warm the area with dry, gloved hands. Do not walk on feet. If the skin tingles and there is a burning sensation when warming, the circulation is returning. If numbness remains, seek professional medical or veterinary care immediately.
The following chart is a wind chill guide to winter danger and frostbite. The wind chill factors shown in darker blue indicate the danger zones for when frostbite can occur within only 15 minutes of exposure. To use the chart below you'll need to know two things. First: the actual temperature and secondly, a good guess at the wind speed. Find your wind speed in the left-hand column and then read across the row until you find the column that comes closest to matching the actual air temperature (listed in the first row of numbers across the top of the chart). The number you find in the box at the intersection of the wind speed row and the temperature column is the wind chill factor. For example: An air temperature of 40º F when combined with winds of 20 MPH results in a wind chill factor, or equivalent human heat loss rate, as if the temperature were actually only 18º F.
Note: for wind speeds under 5 miles per hour, there is no significant wind chill factor and for wind speeds above 45 miles per hour the wind has no further appreciable effect. Wind Chill / Frostbite Guidelines
30° F or greater. Chilly. Generally unpleasant.
15° F to 30° F Cold. Unpleasant.
0° F to -15° F Very cold. Very unpleasant.
- 0° F to - 20° F Bitter cold. Frostbite possible.
-20° F to - 60° F Extremely cold. Frostbite likely. Outdoor activity becomes dangerous.
-60° F or less Frigidly cold. Exposed flesh will freeze within 30 seconds.
It's that time of year to stock up on your winter safety products.
Thanks to the folks at NOAA and the National Weather Service for this easy to understand explanation of Windchill
