A dumb question about temperature (feels like).

[walkerchris77]

I remember a few years ago they would say there was a high temperature of say 12 degrees and a low of lets say 5 degrees. Now all the websites say things like high of 12 (feels like 14) or low of 5 (feels like 1)

My question is why do they do it like that. And how do they know what 12 degrees feels like to me. If I was nude 12 would feel a bit fresh and shrinkage would be a factor. But if I was wearing a ski suit 12 would be hot.

Why not just say what the temperature is on the thermometers.

When we buy a sleeping bag are we ment to use the rating to "feels like" temp.

I understand if theres wind chill and maybe thats the answer. Then again the still do it when its a still night.

Just a bit un sure about the point of it. Maybe some weather dude got a pay rise for coming up with it.

Thanks and I realise its not the most exciting post.

[Moondog55]

I was always under the impression it was to take account of windchill. Now most of us are aware that keeping the wind off is the greatest priority in the winter but not everybody will be aware of this and it is one way of warning folk to dress properly

[GPSGuided]

These should explain it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apparent_temperature
http://www.bom.gov.au/info/thermal_stress/

In summary, it helps those seeking information dress more appropriately for the condition.

[Tortoise]

Here you go:
http://www.weatherzone.com.au/help/article.jsp?id=61
What is feels like temperature?

The “Feels Like” temperature is the apparent temperature based on temperature, humidity and wind speed. The “feels like” temperature is based on a model of an adult walking outdoors in the shade. The official definition is “the temperature, at the reference humidity level, producing the same amount of discomfort as that experienced under the current ambient temperature and humidity”.

What this means is that the “feels like” temperature is an adjustment to the actual temperature to take into account the humidity level. The reference humidity level is chosen as a dewpoint of 14C. If the humidity is higher than this reference, the “feels like” temperature will be higher than the temperature and if the humidity is lower than this reference, the “feels like” temperature will be lower than the temperature. For small variations from the reference humidity level, there will be little difference between the temperature and the “feels like” temperature. It is valid over a wide range of temperature and includes wind chill at lower temperatures.

[Strider]

NZ takes it a step further and gives a recommendation of how many layers of clothing should be worn.

[north-north-west]

NZ takes it a step further and gives a recommendation of how many layers of clothing should be worn.

Personally I prefer the 'feels like' option. Easier to adjust for individual metabolic differences.

Windchill and humidity, eh? But that doesn't allow for those of us who are more comfortable in more humid conditions. We always get shafted . . .

[walkerchris77]

Thanks everyone some good info there. . Pretty technical stuff.

Im Sleeping out tonight feels like 1.3 at my place. According to to weatherzone at the moment . Hopefully it get below zero. (Trying out my new bag. S2s trex 3). I should be warm.

[RonK]

NZ takes it a step further and gives a recommendation of how many layers of clothing should be worn.

Yeah, I though this was very useful when I visited.

For example the current observation for Queenstown NZ:

Actual temperature
13°C

Feels like
12°C

3 clothing layers
1 windproof layer

Wind: Fresh
NE 30 km/h
Gust 52 km/h
(in last 10 minutes)

Rainfall 0.0mm
Humidity 53%
Pressure 997hPa
(latest hourly observation)

[Strider]

It is helpful as a guide, but it worries me somewhat that that people might take it a little too literally and not take into account their own personal tolerances.

[GPSGuided]

It is helpful as a guide, but it worries me somewhat that that people might take it a little too literally and not take into account their own personal tolerances.

Fortunately, Darwinism will take over from there... One can only lead horses to water.

[RonK]

It is helpful as a guide, but it worries me somewhat that that people might take it a little too literally and not take into account their own personal tolerances.

Yep, I'd be sweating profusely under 3 clothing layers and a windproof layer at an apparent temperature of 12°C.

[Moondog55]

It is helpful as a guide, but it worries me somewhat that that people might take it a little too literally and not take into account their own personal tolerances.

Yep, I'd be sweating profusely under 3 clothing layers and a windproof layer at an apparent temperature of 12°C.

Heck I would not be if I was standing still. So perhaps the guide is for people who may have to stand or sit outside or who stop still for a long time in the middle of a walk, such as an unexpected broken leg

[Strider]

MD we are talking about the regular weather forecast on the news each night. Not mountain forecast.

[neilmny]

It is helpful as a guide, but it worries me somewhat that that people might take it a little too literally and not take into account their own personal tolerances.

Yep, I'd be sweating profusely under 3 clothing layers and a windproof layer at an apparent temperature of 12°C.

I agree Ronk. I was wondering if the wind proof layer was one of the three layers as opposed to a fourth layer.

[Moondog55]

Strider one of the coldest places on earth is the far end of the old Spencer St railway station waiting to board the 6PM train to Geelong, I wish I had known about windchill and windproof layers when I was 14YO
I actually think windchill is very relevant for city dwellers; anything below 15C with a wind can be dangerous if not properly clothed and below 10C with wind and rain can kill you.
It isn't just bushwalkers who suffer from the effects of hypothermia and city dwellers don't usually dress appropriately

[Strider]

A couple of my team at work went away last week and were spending most of their time outdoors. Both finished early on the Friday ahead of the trip as neither owned a raincoat and they needed to go buy one!

[GPSGuided]

LOL MD55! When was the last time Melbourne lost a city worker due to hypothermia and frost bite?

[Moondog55]

Dead no; but suffering from cold stress yes. But those poor people sleeping rough? Quite a few of those die of exposure every year

[walkerchris77]

Ballarat the coldest place ive lived. Cant wait to move.
I see they are giving the homeless swags in Melbourne. I wonder how warm they are.

[Strider]

Ballarat the coldest place ive lived. Cant wait to move.
I see they are giving the homeless swags in Melbourne. I wonder how warm they are.

http://www.streetswags.org/street-swags.php

[walkerchris77]

Great read. Great idea. Sponsored price $80. Hopefully making people s live a bit better.

[wayno]

NZ metservice go one step further with their mountain forecasts, they only list wind chill temps. probably in the hope people take notice in deciding how to dress or whether to even go into the mountains...
popular tracks can show minus 15 windchill outside of winter

i wonder how many people who are outdoors a lot in cities are actually close to hypothermia when they go home at the end of the day, saved by a warm home, food, drink and a shower...

looking at the hundreds of ill clad people doing the tongariro crossing in cold weather, i can only think there arent more cases of hypothermia reported because people are saved by getting into heated vehicles at the end...

[Swampy460]

All very we'll BUT how about us with a built in layer of insulation that we carry around

Swampy

[walkerchris77]

All very we'll BUT how about us with a built in layer of insulation that we carry around

Swampy

Lol.

[Moondog55]

All very we'll BUT how about us with a built in layer of insulation that we carry around

Swampy

So that's why I'm feeling the cold so much this year, I knew there was a reason for all that extra padding [ which I have lost almost all of] maybe I should try and get fat again??

[walkerchris77]

Just for winter md55.