What is wind chill? What it means and how to stay warm during sub-freezing temperatures
Nashville and much of Tennessee is set to receive multiple, consecutive days of sub-freezing temperatures.
On Wednesday, the National Weather Service announced that the frigid air and freezing temperatures will be arriving early next week. Once the temperatures drop Sunday night, they will likely stay below freezing until sometime Wednesday said the NWS.
The Middle Tennessee area has a 100% probability of temperatures being lower than 32.
Frigid air then arrives early next week, sending our temperatures well below freezing. Once temps drop Sunday night, they will likely stay below freezing until sometime Wednesday.
Snow is possible, but it's too early to talk about amounts. Stay tuned as we refine the forecast. pic.twitter.com/MhMEKdEbAR— NWS Nashville (@NWSNashville) January 10, 2024
On Sunday the NWS issued a Wind Advisory warning for all of Middle Tennessee due to high speed winds of up to 50mph in some areas. The warning was then extended until Tuesday night.
On Tuesday, the NWS warned of "Siberian-like" temperatures. The combination of wind and low temperature in winter can be deadly as the conditions can lead to frostbite or hypothermia, they said.
While the NWS has yet to issue an official wind chill warning or advisory, here's the rundown on what the term means and how to stay warm.
What is a wind chill?
A wind chill is a term used to describe what the air temperature feels like to the human skin due to the combination of cold temperatures and winds blowing on exposed skin. So the colder the air temperature and the higher the wind speeds, the colder it will feel if you're outside.
Even if the temperature remains the same, if the wind speed increases the colder it will feel on the skin. The NWS said this occurs because as wind blows across our bodies, it simultaneously blows away the heat we naturally emit.
"It is a similar process for when you blow on a hot bowl of soup to cool it down," said the NWS. "The temperature that it feels like outside due to the air temperature and wind speed is called the "Wind Chill."
Each shaded area in the chart above shows how long a person can be exposed before frostbite develops. For example, a temperature of 0°F and a wind speed of 15 mph will produce a wind chill temperature of -19°F. Under these conditions, exposed skin can freeze in 30 minutes said the NWS.
Get ready for freezing temps: Tennessee to experience coldest air of winter yet: How to prepare for freezing temperatures
How do you prepare for the wind chill?
The NWS recommends the following steps in cases of cold wind and low temperature:
Stay dry - Wet clothing results in much faster heat loss from your body. Wear waterproof insulated boots.
Stay covered - Wear mittens, gloves and a hat. At least half of your body heat is lost if your head is not covered.
Dress layered - Trapped air between loose fitting clothing helps to insulate.
Stay informed - Have a portable NOAA weather radio nearby to keep you up-to-date with the latest forecasts and warnings. Use wind chill temperatures to guide you in dressing properly for the outdoors. On very cold days, minimize your exposure to the outdoors if possible.
Diana Leyva covers trending news and service for The Tennessean. Contact her at Dleyva@gannett.com or follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter at @_leyvadiana
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: What is wind chill? Tennessee set to see freezing temperatures
