An evaluation of the wind chill factor: its development and applicability

Area of Science:

• Meteorology
• Biophysics
• Thermodynamics

Background:

• The wind chill factor is a standard meteorological term used in cold climates.
• It estimates heat loss from human skin based on air temperature and wind velocity.
• The current factor has social and economic significance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the development and applicability of the wind chill factor.
• To evaluate the factor using modern heat transfer principles.
• To identify limitations in the current wind chill calculation.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of the historical study underpinning the current wind chill factor.
• Application of modern heat transfer principles and convective heat transfer methods.
• Comparison of current assumptions with established thermodynamic models.

Main Results:

• The existing wind chill factor is based on a study over 50 years old.
• The formula assumes an unrealistic constant skin temperature.
• It uses heat transfer coefficients that deviate from modern convective heat transfer equations.

Conclusions:

• The current wind chill factor overestimates the impact of wind velocity.
• The formula predicts wind chill temperatures that are inaccurately low.
• Re-evaluation using modern principles is needed for accurate representation.