Therefore the formula does not apply in completely still conditions, since wind speeds under 1.34 m/s would result in the calculation of a positive wind chill factor. In which Ta represents the air temperature in Celsius and v is the wind speed in km/h. The current valid formula for calculating the wind chill factor is: However, the air at altitude is significantly thinner, which lowers the heat capacity and also means that the wind chill is less pronounced. The wind chill factor is also calculated according to the presumption that the temperature is at sea level. The wind chill factor is also a very subjective value, which is influenced by many different factors, such as body hair, warming lotions, and, of course, the individual natural thermal regulation of the body. However, because of the higher absolute ambient temperature this will never lead to frostbite. Here is a quick example: If the outside temperature is around 5☌ and there is a wind speed of 50 km/h, the wind chill temperature will be around – 1☌. The factor is only defined as temperature for the sake of simplicity.īut this quickly leads to misunderstandings. So wind chill has less to do with the 'temperature' and is rather more a measure of heat loss. Here is what happens: Wind – whether it is actual wind or only drafts, like you might experience during long ski runs – removes the relatively warm air from the surface of the skin, thus allowing more cooling by evaporation. It is defined for temperatures under the 10☌ mark. Put simply, wind chill describes the difference between the actual and the apparent temperature in the cold. In our article you will learn how the wind chill factor is calculated and what to do in the worst case scenario, to prevent and treat frostbite. The consequences can include hypothermia and frostbite. This factor known as wind chill and should not be underestimated, as it can quickly lead to problems if you are exposed for prolonged periods. Every hiker is familiar with this phenomenon: You scale the summit, arrive sweating at the top, and as soon as you are exposed to the wind the intense shivering begins.

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