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What's the difference between temperature and wind chill?

Extremely cold weather is not only uncomfortable but also dangerous. Sometimes it’s possible to feel like no amount of layers can help with a chill. More Canadians die from extreme cold than any other nature events every year.

The cold weather can feel even more exaggerated when there is a brisk wind. Think back to a time when you were taking a walk on a blustery day, and the cooling sensation that you felt. Or imagine just simply standing in front of a fan - the air forced out of the fan will make it feel colder.

What does the wind chill value mean?

Canada’s Wind Chill Index helps you get a better idea of what you actually feel when outside during cold temperatures and windy conditions.

For example, if you see a wind chill of -10°C in the forecast even though your thermometer only reads -5°C, it means it will feel like it is -10°C on a day without wind, although your thermometer says otherwise.

If you regularly monitor the Environment Canada website, you will notice wind chill included in the forecast for the next 48 hours IF the temperature is below zero and the wind speeds are greater than 5 km/h. If the weather does not meet this criteria, no wind chill is mentioned.

Why do we use wind chill?

Because many of us Canadians live in cold climates, having wind chill in the forecast can help us prepare for our day by dressing warmly to avoid injury or conditions like hypothermia and frostbite.

On a day without wind, our bodies produce a thin layer of warmer air next to our skin. However on a windy day, this layer is blown away, and our skin is exposed to the colder outside air without this insulating warmer layer.

Because it takes time and energy for our bodies to build up a new protective layer, if the wind is persistent enough to continually blow this layer away, we will feel colder.

Feeling cold is magnified if it is a wet day because any moisture evaporating from your skin will draw more heat away from your body. A common example of this is when you first get out of the shower and it feels cold on your skin because the water droplets on your skin are evaporating. This same feeling can also happen when you get out of the swimming pool or the lake before you dry yourself off with a towel.

Tips to stay warm

Here are a few suggestions to help you through the winter to start warm:

  • Monitor the forecasts especially during extreme cold events.
  • Dress appropriately.
  • Wear a hat when it’s cold as we lose a lot of head from our heads.
  • Cover as much exposed skin when possible when windchill is extreme.
  • Avoid getting wet while in the cold.
  • This includes sweating, as wet clothing will chill the body faster.

The cold season is upon us, and the Winter Solstice is only a few weeks away on Friday, Dec. 21, so be prepared to bundle up!



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