Windchill Chart for the United States

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what's tjhe windchill, vector background with swirling wind

See how wind makes cold air feel colder—and how fast frostbite can happen.

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Brr! That chill in the air cuts a little deeper when the wind’s blowing, doesn’t it? That’s the windchill effect—the temperature might say one thing, but your body says another. Use our Windchill Chart and Calculator to see how cold it really feels—and how fast frostbite can sneak up on you.

What is Windchill?

The Windchill Temperature Index measures the combined cooling effect of temperature and wind. While the wind doesn’t actually lower the air temperature, it speeds up heat loss from your body, making you feel much colder.

Think of it this way: Your body naturally maintains a "buffer" layer of warm air near your skin—like a built-in insulating jacket. But when the wind blows, it strips that warmth away faster than you can say “mittens,” cooling your skin rapidly and making it feel far colder than the actual temperature.

Why Windchill Matters

  • As wind speed increases, your skin loses heat faster.
  • In freezing conditions, frostbite and hypothermia can set in rapidly.
  • Windchill helps you understand how fast these cold-related dangers can occur—not just how cold it feels.
  • In fact, extreme windchill can freeze exposed skin in under 30 minutes.

That’s why understanding windchill—and how it affects frostbite and hypothermia risk—is more than trivia. It can help you dress properly, plan ahead, and stay safe in freezing conditions.

Try the Windchill Calculator

Use this tool to estimate windchill based on temperature and wind speed.

Note: Only valid for temperatures at or below 50°F and wind speeds above 3 mph.

Wind Chill Calculator

Formula used: Wind Chill = 35.74 + 0.6215T - 35.75(V0.16) + 0.4275T(V0.16)
Where T = Air Temperature (°F) and V = Wind Speed (mph)

Note: Wind chill is calculated for temperatures at or below 50°F and wind speeds above 3 mph.


Windchill Temperature Chart

Windchill does not literally measure “how cold it feels”—instead, it shows how quickly your body loses heat in cold, windy conditions. And that’s what really matters for your safety.

This Windchill Temperature (WCT) chart was developed in 2001/2002 by Environment Canada (EC) and the U.S. National Weather Service (NWS), replacing an earlier index from the 1940s. It translates cold air and wind speed into a “feels like” temperature, measured in degrees Fahrenheit and miles per hour.

What makes this chart especially useful is its built-in frostbite indicator. The shaded areas show how long exposed skin can safely stay out before frostbite sets in—ranging from 30 minutes to as little as 5 minutes, depending on conditions. For example, if the air temperature is 0°F with a 15 mph wind, the windchill drops to –19°F, and frostbite can develop in just half an hour.

Use the chart below to see how different temperatures and wind speeds combine—and to check your own frostbite risk.

Windchill Temperature Chart

Wind
Speed
(mph)

Temperature (°F)
Calm35302520151050-5-10-15-20-25-30-35
53125191371-5-11-16-22-28-34-40-46-52
1027211593-4-10-16-22-28-35-41-47-53-59
1525191360-7-13-19-26-32-39-45-51-58-64
202417114-2-9-15-22-29-35-42-48-55-61-68
25231693-4-11-17-24-31-37-44-51-58-64-71
30221581-5-12-19-26-33-39-46-53-60-67-73
35211470-7-14-21-27-34-41-48-55-62-69-76
4020136-1-8-15-22-29-36-43-50-57-64-71-78
4519125-2-9-16-23-30-37-44-51-58-65-72-79
5019124-3-10-17-24-31-38-45-52-60-67-74-81
5518114-3-11-18-25-32-39-46-54-61-68-75-82
6017103-4-11-19-26-33-40-48-55-62-69-76-84
Frostbite occurs in:30 minutes10 minutes5 minutes

For example, when the temperature is 15°F and the wind speed is 30 miles per hour, the windchill, or how cold it feels, is -5°F.

What’s the Formula for Feeling Frostbite?

If you're curious as to how to calculate windchill yourself, below is the formula. Again, this is how cold it feels on exposed skin when cold air meets wind.

Wind Chill = 35.74 + 0.6215T – 35.75(V^0.16) + 0.4275T(V^0.16)

Where:

T = Air temperature in degrees Fahrenheit

V = Wind speed in miles per hour

This formula assumes you’re standing outside in an open area, facing into a steady wind at about 3 mph, roughly five feet above ground. But don’t worry—you don’t have to be a math whiz! Just plug your numbers into our handy calculator above to find the windchill.

Dangers of Windchill

Windchill isn’t just a number—it’s a real warning sign for your body. Here’s what you need to watch out for:

  • Frostbite: When windchill drops low, your skin can freeze, especially on fingers, toes, noses, and ear lobes. If these areas start to feel numb, turn pale or white, or become hard, get inside immediately and seek medical help. Frostbite can cause permanent damage if untreated.
  • Hypothermia: This is when your body’s core temperature falls dangerously low. Symptoms include uncontrollable shivering, confusion, sluggish speech, and drowsiness. Hypothermia is life-threatening—if you or someone else shows these signs, get medical attention right away. When warming up after cold exposure, take it slow. Rapid warming can cause more harm than good.. Learn about the signs of hypothermia.

In both cases, take care to rewarm the body very slowly.

Windchill Safety: How to Stay Warm and Protected

Cold and wind can be a dangerous combo, so here are some smart tips to keep you safe when windchill dips low:

  • Listen up for warnings: Pay attention to local weather reports. Windchill Warnings mean conditions are life-threatening. Advisories mean it’s hazardous and you should take precautions.
  • Cover up well: Exposed skin is vulnerable. Use mittens (better than gloves), scarves, or balaclavas to protect your face, hands, and mouth.
  • Layer wisely: Wear loose, warm layers. They trap air and help keep you insulated. Your outer layer should be water-resistant and hooded.
  • Don’t skip the hat: A lot of heat escapes from your head, so keep it covered! Read more tips on how to stay warm in the winter.
  • Plan ahead: Check the forecast before you go out. If extreme windchill is expected, limit your time outdoors and dress accordingly.
  • Know the signs: Recognizing frostbite and hypothermia early can save lives.

For a fun side note, check out the Beaufort Wind Scale to estimate wind speeds without a meter!

That’s your windchill 101—how it’s calculated, why it matters, and how to stay safe and warm. Stay cozy out there!

About The Author

Catherine Boeckmann

Catherine Boeckmann loves nature, stargazing, and gardening so it’s not surprising that she and The Old Farmer’s Almanac found each other. She leads digital content for the Almanac website, and is also a certified master gardener in the state of Indiana. Read More from Catherine Boeckmann
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