New Wind Chill Temperature Index

Wind Chill Calculator  |  New Wind Chill Chart  |  Old Wind Chill Chart | Comparison Graph

The NWS is planning to implement a replacement Wind Chill Temperature (WCT) index for the 2001/2002 winter season. The reason for the change is to improve upon the current WCT Index used by the NWS and the Meteorological Services of Canada (MSC, the Canadian equivalent of the NWS), which is currently based on the 1945 Siple and Passel Index. 

For over a year, there has been discussion within the NWS and Meteorological Services of Canada (MSC), about updating the WCT. During the Fall of 2000, the Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research (OFCM) formed a special group consisting of several Federal agencies, MSC, the academic research community (Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis (IUPUI), University of Delaware, and University of Missouri), and the International Society of Biometeorology to evaluate the existing wind chill formula and make necessary changes to improve upon it. The group is called the Joint Action Group for temperature Indices (JAG/TI) and is chaired by the NWS. The goal of JAG/TI is to internationally upgrade and standardize the index for temperature extremes (e.g., Wind Chill Index). 

After the October 2000 and February 2001 meetings, the JAG/TI reached agreement on a new wind chill formula, discussed a process for scientific verification of the new formula, and developed plans for implementation of the new formula. The new WCT index was presented at the JAG/TI meeting in Toronto, Canada on August 2, 2001. 

The JAG/TI formula will make use of advances in science, technology, and computer modeling to provide a more accurate, understandable, and useful formula for calculating the dangers from winter winds and freezing temperatures. In addition, clinical trials have been conducted and the results of those trials have been used to verify and improve the accuracy of the new formula. 

Standardization of the WCT Index among the meteorological community is important, so that an accurate and consistent measure is provided and public safety is ensured. Our goal is to implement the new wind chill formula in Canada and the United States during the same time frame in order to have a consistent WCT Index for North America. Specifically, the new WCT index will:

• use wind speed calculated at the average height (5 feet) of the human body’s face instead
  of 33 feet (the standard anemometer height);

• be based on a human face model; 
  

• incorporate modern heat transfer theory (heat loss from the body to its surroundings,
  during cold and breezy/windy days); 
  

• lower the calm wind threshold to 3 mph; 
  

• use a consistent standard for skin tissue resistance; and 
  

• assume the worst case scenario for solar radiation (clear night sky). 

In 2002, adjustments for solar radiation (i.e., the impact of sun) for a variety of sky conditions (sunny, partly sunny and cloudy) will be added to the calculation model.

What is Wind Chill?

Wind Chill is the term used to describe the rate of heat loss on the human body resulting from the combined effect of low temperature and wind. As winds increase, heat is carried away from the body at a faster rate, driving down both the skin temperature and eventually the internal body temperature. While exposure to low wind chills can be life threatening to both humans and animals alike, the only effect that wind chill has on inanimate objects, such as vehicles, is that it shortens the time that it takes the object to cool to the actual air temperature (it cannot cool the object down below that temperature). Water freezes at 32 degrees regardless of what the wind chill is. 

Beginning November 2001, the National Weather Service will be implementing a new Wind Chill Temperature Index (WCT).  Just how does the new index compare with the old?  In general, if given the same actual air temperature and wind...the new index will be warmer than what you would have expected with the old index.  We've created a Wind Chill Calculator below so you can compare the New Wind Chill Temperature Index with the Old Wind Chill Temperature Index.  You can also take a look at the New Wind Chill Chart with the Old Wind Chill Chart. And there is a graph comparing the New Wind Chill with the Old Wind Chill at 5 degrees. 

For additional winter weather safety information, click here to view the Winter Weather Awareness Day 2000 page. This will be updated soon for Winter Weather Awareness Day 2001.

 

New Wind Chill Chart

 

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Old Wind Chill Chart

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Wind Chill Comparison at 5 Degrees

 

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