Wind chill is the perceived temperature felt by exposed skin due to the combination of air temperature and wind speed. Wind strips heat from your body faster than still air, making it feel colder. A temperature of 0°C with 30km/h wind feels like -7°C on exposed skin.

At what wind chill is it dangerous?

Wind chill below -18°C is dangerous — frostbite can occur on exposed skin within 10-30 minutes. Below -27°C is extreme danger with frostbite possible in under 10 minutes. In UK winter mountains, wind chill regularly reaches -15 to -25°C on exposed summits.

Does wind chill affect things differently than people?

Wind chill only applies to living things that generate heat. It does not make objects colder than the actual air temperature — water will not freeze at 0°C just because the wind chill is -10°C. However, wind does accelerate heat loss from any warm object, including your water bottles and batteries.

How do I protect against wind chill?

Wear a windproof outer layer — this is more important than adding insulation alone. Cover all exposed skin, especially face, ears and hands. A balaclava or buff is essential in high wind chill. Goggles protect eyes from wind-driven tears and freezing. Wind chill has no effect on covered skin.

CampCalcs

Wind Chill Calculator

Calculate the wind chill factor and feels-like temperature for exposed skin.

Air Temperature

Wind Speed

How We Calculate This

Wind Chill Formula (North American Index)

WC = 13.12 + 0.6215T - 11.37V^0.16 + 0.3965TV^0.16

Where T = air temperature (°C) and V = wind speed (km/h). Valid for T ≤ 10°C and V ≥ 4.8 km/h.

Frostbite Risk

Above -10°C: low risk. -10 to -18°C: 30+ minutes. -18 to -27°C: 10-30 minutes. Below -27°C: under 10 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are estimates. Always verify conditions and use proper safety equipment outdoors.