What Is a Wind Chill Calculator?
Wind chill estimates how cold it actually feels to exposed skin, combining air temperature with wind speed — since wind accelerates heat loss from the body, making cold air feel significantly colder than the thermometer reading alone.
How to Use the Wind Chill Calculator
- Enter the air temperature.
- Enter the wind speed.
- View the calculated wind chill and frostbite risk level.
Wind Chill Formula (NWS)
This formula is valid for temperatures at or below 50°F and wind speeds above 3 mph.
Worked Example
Wind chill: approximately 6°F
This means 20°F air with 15 mph wind feels as cold as a calm 6°F day.
Frostbite Risk Reference (NWS General Guidance)
| Wind Chill | Frostbite Risk (General Guidance) |
|---|---|
| 0°F to -18°F | Frostbite possible within 30 minutes |
| -19°F to -34°F | Frostbite possible within 10 minutes |
| -35°F and below | Frostbite possible within 5 minutes or less |
Cold Weather Safety Tips
- Dress in layers and cover exposed skin during high wind chill conditions.
- Limit time outdoors during extreme wind chill warnings.
- Watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia, which require prompt medical attention.
Frequently Asked Questions
A measure of how cold it actually feels on exposed skin, combining air temperature with wind speed, since wind increases the rate of heat loss from the body.
Wind strips away the thin layer of warmer air that naturally forms near the skin, accelerating heat loss and making the same air temperature feel significantly colder.
General guidance suggests frostbite risk begins to increase noticeably below 0°F wind chill, with risk timeframes shortening further as wind chill drops lower.
No — wind chill only describes how cold conditions feel to exposed living skin; inanimate objects like car radiators or pipes cool based on actual air temperature, not wind chill.
The standard NWS formula is designed for wind speeds above 3 mph and temperatures at or below 50°F.