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Wind-Chill Temperature:

AIR

WIND SPEED (MPH)
TEMP (°F) 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
40 37 28 23 19 16 13 12 11
30 27 16 9 4 1 -2 -4 -5
20 16 3 -5 -10 -15 -18 -20 -21
10 6 -9 -18 -24 -29 -33 -35 -37
0 -5 -22 -31 -39 -44 -49 -52 -53
-10 -15 -34 -45 -53 -59 -64 -67 -69
-20 -26 -46 -58 -67 -74 -79 -82 -84
-30 -38 -58 -72 -81 -88 -93 -97 -100
-40 -47 -71 -85 -95 -103 -109 -113 -115

Explanation

The wind-chill temperature is a measure of relative discomfort due to combined cold and wind. It was developed by Siple and Passel (1941) and is based on physiological studies of the rate of heat loss for various combinations of ambient temperature and wind speed. The wind-chill temperature equals the actual air temperature when the wind speed is 4 mph or less. At higher wind speeds, the wind-chill temperature is lower than the air temperature and measures the increased cold stress and discomfort associated with wind.

The effects of wind-chill depend strongly on the amount of clothing and other protection worn as well as on age, health, and body characteristics. Wind-chill temperatures near or below 0 F indicate that there is a risk of frostbite or other injury to exposed flesh. The risk of hypothermia from being inadequately clothed also depends on the wind-chill temperature.

Wind-Chill Chart and Explanation courtesy of the Climate Analysis Center.

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