By JEFF BURBRINK

Extension Educator Purdue Extension

Jeff Burbrink

GOSHEN — Forecasts are predicting temperatures well below freezing for at least the next seven days. For those working or playing outdoors that means it is time to bundle up.

However, it isn’t always the temperature that gives the air that nip. The “feel like” temperature is usually influenced by the wind as well. We call this the wind chill. Wind chill is much more than a “misery index.” It is designed to predict what the dangers of frostbite might be when the effect of cold temperatures are compounded by the wind.

When temperatures drop below 50 degrees and wind speeds are greater than 5 mph, the “Feels Like” temperature is lower than the actual temperature. Wind chill can be computed two ways: using a chart or mathematically. As the wind increases and/or the temperature decreases, wind chill values decrease. This means that despite it being zero degrees on a very cold morning, when factoring in the wind (say 20 mph), it can feel like a much colder temperature (in this example minus 22 degrees).

This colder “feels like” temperature can not only make you feel chilled quicker, it can also lead to other problems such as frostbite much quicker. Estimations of frostbite issues at zero degrees with no wind in 30 minutes, while zero degrees and 55 mph winds can cause it in less than 10 minutes when exposed.

The National Weather Service has a handy chart on the internet. If you want to calculate the exact wind chill you can use their online calculator. Even better, the Northern Indiana National Weather Service posts the temperature and wind chill on their local detailed forecast when you click on your location.

Because frostbite can occur in an amazingly short amount of time, it’s best to leave the house prepared with coat, gloves, blanket and stocking cap, lest you be caught by surprise by weather only a polar bear can appreciate.