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Wind Chill Calculator

Calculate the wind chill 'feels like' temperature using the NOAA formula. Includes frostbite risk estimates.

Wind Chill Worksheet

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How to Calculate Wind Chill

Wind chill quantifies how cold it actually feels when wind is blowing. The current standard is the NOAA Wind Chill Temperature Index, adopted in 2001:

WC = 35.74 + 0.6215T − 35.75V0.16 + 0.4275TV0.16

Where T is air temperature in °F and V is wind speed in mph.

For example, at 10°F with 15 mph wind, the wind chill is approximately −6°F.

Wind Chill Chart

Common reference points:

  • 30°F, 10 mph: feels like 21°F
  • 20°F, 15 mph: feels like 6°F
  • 10°F, 20 mph: feels like −9°F
  • 0°F, 25 mph: feels like −24°F
  • −10°F, 30 mph: feels like −39°F

Frostbite Risk Levels

  • Above −10°F: Low risk for most people with appropriate clothing
  • −10°F to −20°F: Moderate — frostbite possible in 30 minutes on exposed skin
  • −20°F to −35°F: High — frostbite in 10-30 minutes
  • −35°F to −50°F: Very High — frostbite in 5-10 minutes
  • Below −50°F: Extreme danger — frostbite in under 5 minutes

Staying Safe in Cold Wind

  • Layer up: Wear moisture-wicking base layers, insulating mid-layers, and a windproof outer shell
  • Cover extremities: Ears, fingers, toes, and nose are most vulnerable to frostbite
  • Limit exposure: Take regular warming breaks when wind chill is below −20°F
  • Stay dry: Wet skin and clothing dramatically increase heat loss

Wind Chill vs Heat Index

Wind chill measures cold-weather perceived temperature, while the heat index measures hot-weather perceived temperature factoring in humidity. Together they cover the full spectrum of "feels like" conditions.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is wind chill?

Wind chill is the temperature your skin feels when wind is factored in. Moving air strips heat from the skin faster than still air, so it feels colder than the measured air temperature. It applies only in cold weather: above 80 degrees F the feels-like figure switches to the heat index, which factors in humidity instead of wind.

How is wind chill calculated?

The NOAA formula, adopted in 2001, is WC = 35.74 + 0.6215T - 35.75V^0.16 + 0.4275TV^0.16, where T is the air temperature in degrees F and V is the wind speed in mph. At 0 degrees F with a 15 mph wind, the wind chill is about -19 degrees F. The formula does not include humidity.

How fast can frostbite happen in wind chill?

At a wind chill of -20 degrees F, frostbite can occur on exposed skin in 10 to 30 minutes. At -35 degrees F it can take as little as 5 to 10 minutes, and below -50 degrees F it is possible in under 5 minutes. Covering exposed skin and limiting time outdoors are the main defenses.

When does wind chill apply?

The wind chill formula is valid only when the air temperature is 50 degrees F (10 degrees C) or below and the wind speed is at least 3 mph (4.8 km/h). Outside those limits, wind chill is not meaningfully different from the air temperature, and in hot weather the heat index is used instead.

Does wind chill affect cars or pipes?

No. Wind chill applies only to exposed human and animal skin. Objects such as cars, pipes and water tanks cool toward the actual air temperature, however strong the wind. Wind does make them reach that temperature faster, so a wind chill below freezing will not freeze pipes when the air itself is above 32 degrees F.