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NEW YORK (CBS) ― What Is Wind Chill Temperature?

According to NOAA, The windchill temperature is how cold people and animals feel when outside. Windchill is based on the rate of heat loss from exposed skin caused by wind and cold. As the wind increases, it draws heat from the body, driving down skin temperature and eventually the internal body temperature. Therefore, the wind makes it FEEL much colder. If the temperature is 0 degrees Fahrenheit and the wind is blowing at 15 mph, the windchill is -19 degrees Fahrenheit. At this wind chill temperature, exposed skin can freeze in 30 minutes.

Extended Exposure To The Elements Could Cause Frostbite or Hypothermia

According to the National Weather Service, frostbite is when your body tissue freezes. The most susceptible parts of the body are fingers, toes, and ears. Get medical attention immediately for frostbite. The area should be SLOWLY re-warmed.

Frostbite: Symptoms & Signs

AllRefer's Health website says the first symptoms are a "pins and needles" sensation followed by numbness. There may be an early throbbing or aching, but later on the affected part becomes insensate (feels like a "block of wood").

Frostbitten skin is hard, pale, cold, and has no feeling. When skin has thawed out, it becomes red and painful (early frostbite). With more severe frostbite, the skin may appear white and numb (tissue has started to freeze).

Very severe frostbite may cause blisters, gangrene (blackened dead tissue), and damage to deep structures such as tendons, muscles, nerves, and bone.

AllRefer Health's Website says hypothermia occurs when body temperature falls below 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Determine this by taking your temperature. The symptoms usually begin slowly. As people develop hypothermia, their abilities to think and move are often lost slowly. In fact, they may even be unaware that they need emergency medical treatment. Someone with hypothermia is likely to have frostbite as well.

Hypothermia Symptoms Include:

Drowsiness
Weakness and loss of coordination
Pale and cold skin
Confusion
Uncontrollable shivering (although, at extremely low body temperatures, shivering may stop)
Slowed breathing or heart rate

If not treated promptly, lethargy, cardiac arrest, shock, and coma can set in. Hypothermia can even be fatal.

Treating Hypothermia and Frostbite

NOAA recommends getting medical attention immediately. If you can't get help quickly, begin warming the body SLOWLY. Warm the body core first, NOT the extremities. Warming extremities first drives the cold blood to the heart and can cause the body temperature to drop further--which may lead to heart failure. Get the person into dry clothing and wrap in a warm blanket covering the head and neck. Do not give the person alcohol, drugs, coffee, or any HOT beverage or food. WARM broth and food is better. About 20% of cold related deaths occur in the home. Young children under the age of two and the elderly, those more than 60 years of age, are most susceptible to hypothermia. Hypothermia can set in over a period of time. Keep the thermostat above 69 degrees Fahrenheit, wear warm clothing, eat food for warmth, and drink plenty of water (or fluids other than alcohol) to keep hydrated. NOTE: Alcohol will lower your body temperature.

Tips on How to Dress During Cold Weather

According to NOAA, the best way to avoid hypothermia and frostbite is to stay warm and dry indoors. When you must go outside, dress appropriately. Wear several layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing. Trapped air between the layers will insulate you. Remove layers to avoid sweating and subsequent chill. Outer garments should be tightly woven, water repellent, and hooded. Wear a hat, because half of your body heat can be lost from your head. Cover your mouth to protect your lungs from extreme cold. Mittens, snug at the wrist, are better than gloves. Try to stay dry and out of the wind. Plus, avoid overexertion. Your heart is already working overtime in cold weather. The strain from the cold and the hard labor of shoveling heavy snow, walking through drifts or pushing a car may cause a heart attack. Sweating from overexertion could lead to a chill and hypothermia Wet clothing chills the body rapidly remove outer layers of clothing or open your coat if you are sweating. Some people are more susceptible to the cold, particularly children, the elderly and those with circulation problems. Plus, don't forget know your limits, the use of alcohol, tobacco and certain medications will increase your susceptibility to cold.

Find Out How To Protect Your Pets From Winter Weather

How is the Wind Chill Calculated?

The wind chill temperature is calculated using the following formula:
Windchill (ºF) = 35.74 + 0.6215T - 35.75(V0.16) + 0.4275T(V0.16)
Where: T = Air Temperature (F)
V = Wind Speed (mph)
= raised to a power (exponential)
Wind Chill temperature is only defined for temperatures at or below 50 degrees F and wind speeds above 3 mph. Bright sunshine may increase the windchill temperature by 10 to 18 degrees F.

NWS Wind Chill Chart

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