The Ontario Weather Page - Windcill Calcultor and Conversion Charts


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Windchill Calculator and Conversion Charts

The windchill factor is a rate of cooling based on the combined effects of wind and low temperature. In other words it will indicate how fast a human body will cool under certain combinations of wind and temperature. Windchill will cause it to cool more quickly towards this temperature. The real hazard with windchills is that heat will be drawn away from your skin faster than the body can replace it. This may lead to frostbite or worse.

Environment Canada also issues a windchill factor. It is given in units of watts per square meter but it is better to think of it as an index where the higher the value the faster an object cools to the outside air temperature. I have combined both in chart forms below so you can compare. I have heard that some school boards are now closing when values exceed a certain criteria. More information on this would be appreciated.

Try this little JavaScript program I created for windchill. If you don't have a Java-based browser, go to the chart for static measurements.

In Canada, a combination of 2 factors are given with regards to the windchill value. One is the actually temperature with the wind or what temperature is feels like and the other is the windchill factor which is given in units of watts per square meter.

This is a basic windchill chart that can be used for quick reference of temperatures you are experiencing. Windchill is a difficult thing to find and many formulas can be used. If there is some differences between 2 charts, they will be very minor.

Air Temperature (°C)

		8	4	0	-4	-8	-12	-16	-20	-24	-28	-32	-36	-40
Wind	10	5	1	-3	-8	-12	-17	-21	-25	-30	-34	-39	-43	-48
Speed	20	1	-4	-10	-15	-20	-25	-30	-35	-41	-46	-51	-56	-61
(Km/h)	30	-2	-8	-13	-19	-25	-30	-36	-41	-47	-53	-58	-64	-69
	40	-4	-10	-16	-22	-28	-34	-39	-45	-51	-57	-63	-69	-75
	50	-5	-11	-17	-24	-30	-36	-42	-48	-54	-60	-66	-73	-79
	60	-6	-12	-19	-25	-31	-37	-44	-50	-56	-62	-69	-75	-81

Color coding to match windchill factors issued by E.C.

Windchill watts/m²	Qualifier	Comfort and/or precautions description
<800	Very Low	Comfortable. No significant effect due to the combination of temperature and wind. Light winter clothing is sufficient for outdoor activity.
800 - 1150	Low	Conditions are comfortable for outdoor activity. Dress Warmly. Winter clothing is recommended, including hat, gloves and dry insulating under clothing.
1200 - 1550	Moderate	Cold on exposed skin. Conditions can be comfortable for outdoor activity on sunny days. Hat, gloves and layered dry insulating clothing is a necessity. Risk of frostbite with direct exposure over prolonged periods.
1600 - 1950	High	Important to keep active. Cover all skin. Take frequent warm up breaks. Frostbite is possible on exposed skin over short periods of time so check frequently.
2000 - 2150	Very High	Very uncomfortable. Outdoor activity should be limited to short periods. Beware of frostbite.
2200 and up	Extreme	Dangerous conditions for outdoor activity. Exposed skin freezes over short periods of time. Avoid outdoor activity.