wind chill

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wind chill

wind chill, the cooling effect of wind and temperature combined, expressed in terms of the effect produced by a lower, windless temperature, also called wind chill factor, wind chill temperature, wind chill equivalent temperature, wind chill index, wind chill equivalent index, and wind chill temperature index. Wind chill is based on the rate of heat loss from exposed skin. Under windless conditions air provides an invisible blanket around the skin. As wind speed increases, this layer of heated air is carried away from the body at an accelerated rate, forcing the body either to work harder to generate more heat or cool down. If the actual air temperature is −5℉(−21℃) with a 20 mph (32 km/hr) wind, the wind chill temperature is −29℉(−34℃). Because wind chill is based the removal of heat from the human body, it does not reflect the increased rate of heat loss for inanimate objects such as automobile radiators under the same conditions but they also experience a faster heat loss with increasing winds.

The term wind chill was coined by the American geographer Paul A. Siple in his dissertation, Adaptation of the Explorer to the Climate of Antarctica, (1939). Subsequently, on the third Byrd Antarctic expedition, Siple and American geologist Charles Passel determined how quickly extreme conditions could produce frostbite on exposed skin. By 1945, Siple and Passel had published a set of numbers expressing heat loss as a function of temperature and wind speed.

A wind chill advisory is issued when the forecast projects a wind velocity of at least 10 mph (16 km/hr) producing a wind chill temperature of −15℉ or lower for 3 hours or more. At these values wind chill is more of a nuisance than it is life threatening. A wind chill warning is issued when the forecasted wind chill temperature is −25℉ or lower, which can be life threatening if the individual is not suitably dressed. Persons who go outside under such conditions may experience frostbite and other cold-related symptoms in a matter of minutes, even if properly clothed for normal winter conditions, and longer exposures may prove fatal.

wind chill

[′win ‚chil]

(meteorology)

That part of the total cooling of a body caused by air motion.

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For the past two generations, weatherheads have been warning winter watchers about the wind chill factor, which combines temperature with wind speeds to express how quickly a human body will lose its warmth.

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THE ICEBOT -- With the wind chill factor below -50[degrees], WHOI engineer Amy Kukulya and engineering technician Kris Newhall launch the robotic underwater vehicle REMUS into a hole cut into a stretch of sea ice extending into the Chukchi Sea from Barrow, Alaska, the northernmost city in the United States.

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It will be a cold month though, with some keen arctic winds, which will enhance the wind chill factor."

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Officials at Catterick, where there is expected to be a vicious wind chill factor of -7C, will inspect the track at 7.30am for today's meeting.

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The heating system had to maintain 13[degrees]c from -7[degrees]C outside temperature plus a severe wind chill factor. Four LP gas-fired Powrmaster units were selected with associated flue and controls; two rated at 410kW output and two at 310kW output.

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In Coventry, Mr Jackson admits there are risks of sleet and the wind chill factor will make people feel even colder.

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"We've had sustained 25-below wind chill factor for multiple days and never had a problem with the B20."

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There are a number of definitions for the wind chill factor, but simply put, it combines air temperature and wind speed to come up with a reading of what it really feels like outside.

Wind chill makes it colder than you think: some outdoor enthusiasts think cold weather is invigorating, while others think it is downright insufferable

The 4000 quickly and efficiently records the above parameters as well as wind speed and wind chill factor, dew point, wet bulb temperature and heat stress.

Kestrel Pocket Weather Tracker

Cotton holds moisture next to your skin--just what you don't want when the wind chill factor dips.

Don't let winter chill your training

There's also the wind chill factor which can have a serious effect on equipment and product durability during the winter months.

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However, a minus 70 degrees Fahrenheit wind chill factor meant conditions were too dangerous for Mr Meegan's friends, forcing him to complete the expedition alone.