Old Wind Chill Formula:
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The old wind chill formula was developed in 1945 by Paul Siple and Charles Passel and was used until 2001. It estimates how cold it feels when wind is factored in with the actual air temperature.
The calculator uses the old wind chill formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates the cooling effect of wind on exposed skin at low temperatures.
Details: Wind chill is important for understanding the risk of frostbite and hypothermia during cold weather. It helps people prepare adequately for outdoor conditions.
Tips: Enter temperature in °F and wind speed in mph. The wind speed must be 0 or greater.
Q1: Why was this formula replaced?
A: It was replaced in 2001 with a more accurate formula based on modern heat transfer theory and human face models.
Q2: What are the limitations of this formula?
A: It overestimates wind chill at higher wind speeds and doesn't account for solar radiation or individual differences in metabolism.
Q3: When is wind chill most significant?
A: Wind chill is most significant when temperatures are below freezing and wind speeds are above 5 mph.
Q4: Does wind chill affect objects?
A: No, wind chill only describes how it feels to humans. Objects will cool to the actual air temperature.
Q5: What's the difference between old and new formulas?
A: The new formula produces less extreme values at higher wind speeds and better matches actual observed cooling rates.