Weather & Temperature
Calculate how cold the air feels when wind is taken into account using the National Weather Service formula.
Feels Like (Wind Chill)
6.2°F
Wind chill is the perceived temperature when wind is factored into actual air temperature. The faster the wind, the more rapidly heat is stripped from exposed skin, making the air feel far colder than the thermometer reads. The NWS wind chill formula combines air temperature, wind speed, and skin heat loss physics to produce a single number that tells you how cold conditions actually feel. This is essential for outdoor activity planning, travel safety, and understanding frost warnings.
The calculator uses the National Weather Service wind chill formula: WC = 35.74 + 0.6215T − 35.75V^0.16 + 0.4275TV^0.16, where T is temperature in °F and V is wind speed in mph. The formula is only valid when temperature is 50°F or below and wind speed exceeds 3 mph; otherwise, actual temperature is returned. The tool converts metric inputs (°C, km/h) to Fahrenheit and mph, calculates wind chill, and converts back if needed. It also shows the difference between actual and 'feels like' temperature, helping you understand wind's impact.
Wind Chill (°F) = 35.74 + 0.6215T − 35.75V^0.16 + 0.4275TV^0.16 | Wind Chill (°C) = (WC°F − 32) ÷ 1.8 | For metric input: convert °C to °F, km/h to mph before calculatingThe NWS formula incorporates wind speed to a fractional power (0.16), meaning wind impact is highest at low speeds but levels off at very high winds. The constants (35.74, 0.6215, etc.) are derived from empirical cooling models for human skin. The formula only applies below 50°F; above that, wind has negligible cooling effect on skin. Metric conversions (°C × 1.8 + 32 = °F; km/h × 0.621371 = mph) are applied transparently.
| Input | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 20°F, 15 mph wind | Wind chill: 1°F | Difference: 19° | Moderate winter breeze; exposed skin can develop frostbite in 30 minutes. |
| 0°F, 25 mph wind | Wind chill: −21°F | Difference: 21° | Severe cold; frostbite risk in 10 minutes; winter coat and gloves essential. |
| −10°F, 30 mph wind | Wind chill: −46°F | Difference: 36° | Dangerous cold; frostbite risk in 5 minutes; limit outdoor exposure. |
Wind chill measures heat loss from skin, which is what causes frostbite and hypothermia. A thermometer reads air temperature, but your body cares about cooling rate—wind chill is the metric that matters for safety.
No. Wind chill only describes skin cooling. However, wind does increase evaporative cooling of water surfaces, so wet objects may ice over slightly faster in wind—but the air temperature, not wind chill, drives actual freezing.
The NWS formula (adopted in 2001) is standard in North America. Other regions use alternative models, but this formula is widely recognized and used by meteorologists and outdoor safety organizations globally.
Differences arise from rounding, measurement station location (wind gusts vs. sustained), or time lag between forecast issue and your calculation. Wind can vary by elevation and terrain; your location may experience different actual wind than a nearby weather station.
No—wind chill assumes exposed skin. Heavy layers, windproof jackets, and face masks all reduce actual heat loss. The calculator gives you the baseline risk; clothing protection is your responsibility.
Mathematically, it approaches the air temperature as wind speed increases infinitely, but practically, extreme winds (60+ mph) with very cold temperatures (−50°F or lower) produce wind chills around −100°F, making outdoor exposure impossible.