Windchill: meaning, definitions and examples
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windchill
[ ˈwɪndˌtʃɪl ]
weather phenomenon
Windchill refers to the perceived decrease in air temperature felt by the body on exposed skin due to the flow of air. It is a measure of how cold it feels when wind is factored into the air temperature. Windchill is particularly significant during winter months when cold winds can make otherwise mild temperatures feel much colder. The windchill factor can influence factors such as frostbite risk and overall comfort levels when outdoors in cold weather.
Synonyms
wind chill, wind chill factor.
Examples of usage
- The temperature is 30 degrees, but with the windchill, it feels like 20.
- On windy days, the windchill can cause outdoor activities to become dangerous.
- Protective clothing is essential in extreme windchill conditions.
- Meteorologists often report windchill for safety during winter storms.
Translations
Translations of the word "windchill" in other languages:
🇵🇹 sensação térmica
🇮🇳 ठंड का प्रभाव
🇩🇪 Windchill
🇮🇩 dingin angin
🇺🇦 вітрова охолоджувальність
🇵🇱 odczucie zimna
🇯🇵 風冷却
🇫🇷 indice de refroidissement éolien
🇪🇸 sensación térmica del viento
🇹🇷 rüzgar soğukluğu
🇰🇷 바람 온도
🇸🇦 برودة الرياح
🇨🇿 pocitová teplota
🇸🇰 pocitová teplota
🇨🇳 风寒效应
🇸🇮 učinek vetra
🇮🇸 vindkæling
🇰🇿 желдің суытуы
🇬🇪 ქარის სიცივე
🇦🇿 külək soydu
🇲🇽 sensación térmica del viento
Etymology
The term 'windchill' originated in the late 20th century as meteorologists sought to quantify the effects of wind on thermal comfort. The concept was developed in response to the need for a more accurate measure of cold exposure, particularly in the context of health and safety in cold climates. Prior to its popular use, discussions about the influence of wind on cold conditions were often informal and lacked standardized terminology. The National Weather Service formally introduced windchill indices in the 1970s to enhance public awareness of cold weather risks. Since then, the term has become widely adopted in both scientific and everyday language, reflecting the growing concern for human safety in extreme weather conditions. Windchill calculations take into account both temperature and wind speed, which makes the observable temperature feel significantly lower than it actually is. This understanding is critical for outdoor enthusiasts and workers who may be exposed to harsh environmental conditions.