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How are wind chill temperatures calculated? Explaining the chart

Actual temperature, wind strength used to calculate ‘feels like’

A chart that calculates wind chill from temperatures and wind speeds. (National Weather Service)

DETROIT – How are wind chill temperatures calculated? The National Weather Service has a chart that breaks it down.

According to the “NWS Windchill Chart,” wind chill temperatures are calculated based on actual temperature and wind strength.

The chart shows temperatures ranging from 40 degrees to 45 below zero (measured in Fahrenheit). It uses wind speeds from 5-60 mph.

For example, if it’s 40 degrees out and winds are only 5 mph, the wind chill temperature is 36 degrees. If winds are gusting at 40 mph, the wind chill drops to 27 degrees.

If the temperature is at an even 0, but winds are blowing at 25 mph, it feels like 24 below zero. If the temperature is 10 below with 25 mph winds, the wind chill is 37 below.

You can check out the entire chart below, including how long it takes for frostbite to develop, depending on the wind child temperatures.

A chart that calculates wind chill from temperatures and wind speeds. (National Weather Service)

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