A wind chill advisory was issued early Thursday for some metro Atlanta counties as the East Coast braces for the monster winter storm — or bomb cyclone.
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But what exactly is wind chill, anyway?
According to Weather.com, wind chill refers to how cold it actually feels on your own skin when the wind is factored in.
Calculating wind chill temperature helps determine when the combination of low temperatures and wind can become deadly.
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What are the potential dangers of wind chill?
When bitter cold temperatures are combined with high wind chills, you are at increased risk of developing frostbite and hypothermia.
Frostbite occurs when your skin and the body tissue just under it freezes, limiting circulation to your fingers, nose, toes and ears. There are four degrees of frostbite, and the highest degree could lead to gangrene and require amputation.
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Bu hypothermia is the most common cause of death related to winter weather. This refers to dangerously low body temperatures and can actually occur with temperatures between 30 and 50 degrees.
Hypothermia occurs when your core body temperature, normally around 98.6 degrees, drops below 95 degrees.
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How is wind chill calculated?
In the 1940s, explorers Paul Siple and Charles Passel made the first breakthroughs in wind chill research in Antarctica.
“Siple and Passel suspended bottles of water outside a hut at their base station and measured how long it took the water to freeze under various wind conditions. After taking hundreds of these readings, the pair had a good idea of how rapidly heat was lost at different wind speeds.”
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While formulas have changed over the years, here’s a formula commonly used to calculate wind chill today:
Wind chill = 35.74 + 0.6215T – 35.75(V^0.16) + 0.4275T(V^0.16)
T = air temperature in degrees Fahrenhait
V = wind speed in miles per hour.
That formula was introduced by the National Weather Service in 2001.
It’s important to note, however, that the best formulaic methods are still being debated.
How do I determine my wind chill temperature?
Using the Weather Channel’s chart above, find the value closest to your outside air temperature and the value closest to your current wind speed. The intersected value is your wind chill temperature.
You can also always go to Weather.com/maps/current-wind-chill to find real-time numbers.
More about Atlanta's weather forecast at AJC.com/weather.
How to stay safe during a wind chill advisory, according to the National Weather Service:
- Stay dry.
- Wear waterproof insulated boots.
- Stay covered with mittens, gloves and especially a hat.
- Dress in layers.
- Drink plenty of fluids, but avoid caffeine and alcohol.
- Stay informed about your local forecast and weather warnings.
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