Recent below normal temperatures have produced an early arrival of bone-chilling feelings for many residents. Decades ago, during World War II, the wind chill was developed as a calculated index for battlefield planning. The purpose of this system was to determine risk factors surrounding the cold weather when the men and woman were outdoors. The wind chill was eventually implemented into our lives for the very same reasoning, which was for protection against nature's most challenging elements.
The wind chill is an estimated measure of how cold the air temperature feels against our skin. When checking upon the latest weather report from a local media outlet, the meteorologist usually states how hot or cold it will be in the future. The person who predicted this forecast most likely stated the air temperature close to the surface of the earth. However, the air temperature can produce false meaning as to how cold it truly feels - especially if the wind is blowing. For example, on Thursday, November 7, 2002, the air temperature at 11AM was 28 degrees. Combined with a 20 M.P.H. wind, it felt 13 degrees colder then the actual air temperature.
The human body quickly looses heat when exposed to cold air. It is important to take preventative measures in order to avoid potentially serious results. The colder the air temperature and the stronger the wind, the faster the human body looses heat. It is important to realize that the difference between a person and an object is that people feel a sense of heat loss while objects fail to experience such an effect. Therefore, one great benefit to the wind chill measurement is that it provides us with a sensible and realistic temperature diagram, which we can use to our benefit.
Why should we care about the wind chill? The lower the wind chill, the higher rate at which frostbite and hypothermia can develop. You do not have to ski or hike for such conditions to develop. A mere walk to your car can force upon cold weather dangers. There are many precautions that we can use to fight against the wind chill. Two of the most basic and essential principles are to wear layered clothing and appropriate winter gear. Checking yourself regularly for wet areas and using a buddy system is also of great aid when outside for long periods of time.
The wind chill charting system once became the center of controversy because of its accuracy. After fifty-six years of utilizing the original system scale, several agencies across the world worked together and developed a much more accurate chart. Needless to say, the wind chill continues to aid our lives. However, it is up to us to utilize its measurement and charting system for our benefit during the forthcoming winter.