Wind Chill Calculator
Calculate wind chill temperature using the official NWS formula. Includes frostbite risk assessment and safety guidelines for outdoor activities.
Wind Chill
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Frostbite Risk
Low risk
{"windChillF":19.027304953124002,"windChillC":-7.207052803819999,"temperatureF":30,"temperatureC":-1.1111111111111112,"windSpeedMph":15,"originalTemp":30,"originalUnit":"F","frostbite":"Low risk"}
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Wind Chill
19.0°F
-7.2°C
Frostbite Risk Scale
Wind Speed
15 mph
°F Wind Chill
19°F
°C Wind Chill
-7.2°C
Frostbite Risk
Low risk
Cold Weather Safety
- Dress in layers — base layer (moisture-wicking), middle layer (insulation), outer layer (wind/water protection)
- Cover all exposed skin — heat loss is greatest from the head, neck, and hands
- Stay dry — wet clothing dramatically increases heat loss
- Limit strenuous activity in extreme cold to reduce stress on the heart
- Never ignore shivering — it is the first sign your body is losing heat
The Formula
The National Weather Service (NWS) wind chill formula calculates how cold it feels when wind is combined with cold air. Wind accelerates heat loss from exposed skin, making the air feel significantly colder than the actual temperature. The formula applies only when the temperature is at or below 50°F and wind speed is at least 3 mph.
Variable Definitions
Air Temperature
The actual air temperature in degrees Fahrenheit.
Wind Speed
The wind speed in miles per hour at 33 feet (standard anemometer height).
Wind Chill Temperature
How cold it feels on exposed skin in degrees Fahrenheit.
How to Use This Calculator
- 1
Enter the current air temperature and select the unit (°F or °C).
- 2
Enter the wind speed and select the unit (mph or km/h).
- 3
The calculator applies the NWS wind chill formula and shows the feels-like temperature.
- 4
Review the frostbite risk category and safety recommendations.
Wind chill measures how cold it feels when wind is combined with cold air temperature
Understanding the Concept
Wind chill is based on the rate of heat loss from exposed skin caused by wind and cold. As wind increases, it draws heat away from the body, cooling the skin surface faster. The NWS wind chill formula was developed through research involving human volunteers and face cooling measurements in a controlled wind tunnel. Frostbite can occur in minutes when wind chill temperatures are very low. The risk categories help outdoor workers, athletes, and recreationists make informed decisions about exposure time and protective clothing. Wind chill applies only to people and animals — inanimate objects like car radiators or pipes will not cool below the actual air temperature. Practical example: if the actual temperature is 20°F with a 25 mph wind, the wind chill calculation yields: 35.74 + (0.6215 × 20) - (35.75 × 25^0.16) + (0.4275 × 20 × 25^0.16) = 35.74 + 12.43 - 35.75 × 1.66 + 0.4275 × 20 × 1.66 = 48.17 - 59.35 + 14.19 = 3.0°F. So 20°F feels like 3°F! At this level, frostbite is possible in about 30 minutes of exposure. Edge cases: the NWS formula is valid only when the temperature is at or below 50°F and wind speed is at least 3 mph. If the temperature is 55°F and wind is 20 mph, the wind chill equals the actual temperature (55°F) because the formula does not apply above 50°F. For wind speeds above 50 mph, the additional cooling effect diminishes — the formula asymptotically approaches a limit because the body cannot lose heat faster than the wind can carry it away. For wet skin (sweating or rain), the cooling effect is much more dramatic because water conducts heat 25 times faster than air — this is called hypothermia risk even in 50°F weather with wind and rain. For runners and cyclists, the effective wind speed is the sum of the actual wind and their forward speed, meaning they experience greater wind chill than a stationary person.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources & References
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