Physics
Wind Chill Calculator | Feels-Like Temperature & Frostbite Risk
Calculate wind chill temperature using the official NWS formula for any air temperature and wind speed combination. Shows how cold it actually feels, frostbite risk time estimates at 30, 10, and 5 minutes, safety guidance, and a wind chill reference chart.
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Wind Chill Formula (NWS 2001 Standard)
The current wind chill formula, adopted by the National Weather Service in 2001, is based on a model of how quickly a person loses body heat in cold, windy conditions. It was developed with human trials where subjects walked on treadmills in refrigerated wind tunnels with anemometers at face height (5 feet).
NWS Wind Chill Equation
WC = 35.74 + 0.6215×T − 35.75×V^0.16 + 0.4275×T×V^0.16
where T = air temperature (°F) and V = wind speed (mph). Valid when T ≤ 50°F and V ≥ 3 mph.
Frostbite Risk at a Glance
| Wind Chill | Frostbite Risk | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Above 0°F / −18°C | No risk | Normal outdoor precautions |
| 0 to −18°F / −18 to −28°C | Low risk (30+ min) | Cover exposed skin |
| −19 to −27°F / −29 to −33°C | Moderate (30 min) | Limit outdoor exposure |
| −28 to −35°F / −34 to −37°C | High risk (10–30 min) | Reduce outdoor time significantly |
| Below −35°F / −37°C | Extreme (under 5 min) | Avoid outdoor exposure |
Note: Wind chill only applies to exposed skin. Insulated, dry clothing significantly reduces actual heat loss. Wet clothing dramatically accelerates it. Stay dry and layer up in cold, windy conditions.
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