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Wind Chill Chart — How Cold It Actually Feels at Any Wind Speed
Wind chill chart shows how quickly you lose body heat in cold and wind. Know frostbite risk and dress accordingly.
Wind Chill Chart: How Cold It Actually Feels at Any Wind Speed
Wind chill is the temperature your body actually experiences accounting for wind speed. It doesn't change the air temperature itself. It changes how quickly your body loses heat. At high wind speeds, the difference between thermometer and felt temperature is significant. Learn more in Heat Index Chart — What Temperature Really Feels Like in Humidity. Learn more in Best Weather App for Runners — Heat Index, Wind Chill, and Storm Timing.
Wind Chill Reference Chart
Frostbite risk thresholds by wind chill
- Above 0°F: Low risk for most people with adequate clothing
- -5°F to -19°F: Frostbite possible on exposed skin within 30 minutes
- -20°F to -39°F: Frostbite possible within 10 minutes
- Below -40°F: Frostbite in 5 minutes or less
The practical implication
A 15°F day with 25 mph wind has a wind chill of -13°F; that's a 28-degree gap from what the thermometer says. For workers outdoors, commuters, runners, or anyone shoveling a driveway, that's a significant difference in how you need to dress.
Merino wool insulates even when damp from sweat, making it the right base layer for wind chill days. The Smartwool Merino 250 Baselayer or Men's Merino Wool Baselayer paired with a wind-blocking outer layer like the Columbia Bugaboo Fleece Jacket handles most North American winter conditions.
