Perceived temperature, taking into account factors such as wind chill and heat index, is important for outdoor preparation. Wind chill measures the temperature felt on the skin, while heat index considers air temperature and humidity. Extreme temperatures can lead to health risks, so it’s important to pay attention to these numbers.
Often, simply learning the expected high and low temperatures isn’t adequate preparation for heading outdoors. Many people wait to feel their perceived temperature before planning what to wear and where to go on any given day. This temperature gives people an idea of how they will feel outdoors, rather than just a temperature that leaves them guessing. To determine this temperature, meteorologists must take into account factors such as wind chill and heat index.
The feeling of temperature is often driven in part by wind chill during the winter months. Wind chill involves measuring the temperature felt on the skin, which is determined by the air temperature and wind speed. In other words, it’s a measure of the heat the skin loses when the wind hits it. Wind chill is typically always lower than air temperature because wind increases the rate at which moisture evaporates from the skin and serves to move heat away from the body. At higher temperatures, wind chill is considered much less significant and is usually not reported.
The heat index takes into account both air temperature and humidity in determining how warm temperatures feel to a person outdoors. When an individual sweats, the water in their sweat evaporates. This helps cool the body because heat is carried away during evaporation. When humidity is high, sweat cannot evaporate easily, so people have a harder time cooling down, resulting in a higher heat index.
People should keep in mind that the sensation of temperature they feel when listening to local weather forecasts may not be sufficient to determine how any individual will feel at any given time. For example, heat index measurements are provided for shady conditions with noticeable light winds. In full sun, the temperature can feel warmer than the heat index indicates. Similarly, if someone is in a sheltered area that gets full sun in the winter, they may feel a little warmer than expected wind chill.
The feeling that the temperature is especially important for health reasons. When the heat index is very high, people may be at greater risk for heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Likewise, extreme temperatures from wind chill can put people at risk of frostbite and hypothermia. Therefore, it is important for people to pay attention to these numbers as well as the actual temperature forecast for the day.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
