Quick Weather Scenarios
Units
Weather Conditions
Temperature Comparison
Actual
20°F
Feels Like
6.2°F
Wind makes it feel moderately colder.
Frostbite Risk by Wind Chill
| Wind Chill | Frostbite Time | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|
| Above 32°F (0°C) | N/A | Safe |
| 0°F to 32°F (-18°C to 0°C) | Low risk | Caution |
| -20°F to 0°F (-29°C to -18°C) | 30+ minutes | Warning |
| -35°F to -20°F (-37°C to -29°C) | 10-30 minutes | Danger |
| Below -35°F (-37°C) | <10 minutes | Extreme Danger |
Wind Chill Reference Chart
| Temp\Wind | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 | 30 | 35 | 40 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40°F | 37 | 34 | 32 | 31 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 27 |
| 30°F | 25 | 21 | 19 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 13 |
| 20°F | 13 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | -1 |
| 10°F | 1 | -3 | -7 | -9 | -11 | -12 | -14 | -15 |
| 0°F | -10 | -16 | -19 | -22 | -24 | -26 | -27 | -29 |
| -10°F | -22 | -28 | -32 | -35 | -37 | -39 | -41 | -43 |
| -20°F | -34 | -41 | -45 | -48 | -51 | -53 | -55 | -57 |
| -30°F | -46 | -53 | -58 | -61 | -64 | -67 | -69 | -71 |
| -40°F | -57 | -65 | -71 | -74 | -78 | -80 | -82 | -84 |
Wind speed in mph, temperatures in °F
Activity Guidelines for Current Conditions
Outdoor Activities
⚠️ Take breaks
Exercise
⚠️ Reduce intensity
Outdoor Work
⚠️ Frequent warm-up breaks
Recommended Clothing
Frequently Asked Questions
What is wind chill?
Wind chill (or wind chill factor) is the perceived decrease in temperature felt by the body due to wind. Moving air accelerates heat loss from exposed skin. A 20°F day with 15 mph wind feels like 6°F on your skin.
How is wind chill calculated?
The NWS formula: Wind Chill = 35.74 + 0.6215T - 35.75V^0.16 + 0.4275TV^0.16, where T is temperature (°F) and V is wind speed (mph). It's valid when temp ≤50°F and wind ≥3 mph.
When is wind chill dangerous?
Wind chill below 0°F poses frostbite risk within 30 minutes. Below -20°F: frostbite in 10-30 min. Below -35°F: frostbite in 5-10 min. Below -50°F: frostbite in under 5 minutes. Cover all exposed skin!
Why doesn't wind chill affect objects?
Wind chill only affects warm-blooded creatures. Objects cool to air temperature regardless of wind. A car won't get colder than the air temperature no matter how windy. Wind just helps objects reach air temperature faster.
How can I protect myself in cold wind?
Layer clothing with moisture-wicking base, insulating middle, wind-blocking outer. Cover extremities (hat, gloves, face mask). Limit exposure time. Stay dry - wet clothing increases heat loss dramatically.