Why did the government start up that wind-chill factory?

Question

We didn't have no wind chill factory when I was a kid. Ever since they built that it's been a lot colder. Whose Idea was that?

Answer 1

The wind chill factor has actually been around for many years. The term was originally used in 1945 by Sipple & Passel to describe heat loss from skin when exposed to wind. The Sipple & Passel index was used calculate the wind chill factor; that is, to explain how the wind would affect the temperature and the length of time a person could be exposed to the cold.

In 2001, the National Weather Service used advances in technology to update the WCT Index. The new index calculates wind speed at the height of an adult human face and uses modern heat transfer theories to arrive at the wind chill temperature. So, no, it's not getting colder, scientists are just getting better at telling you when its REALLY cold.

Answer 2

Wind Chill Factory

Answer 3

The wind chill factor has been around since the mid 40's -- but I believe this question has been answered beautifully already. Sometimes feeling cold is all in the humidity and dewpoint levels. Say for instance you are in Aspen, Colorado skiing...and the temperature is 25 degrees, and the sun is shining brightly, with little or no wind...you may feel very warm. But perhaps you are on snowshoes in Northern Michigan and there is weak sunshine, it is 25 but the humidity is 65% with some strong wind gusts coming off the lake, you are going to feel it and then you are delving into 'the real wind chill factor'. The 'Hawk' in Chicago coming off of Lake Michigan in the dead of winter is the famous 'wind chill factor' because it feels almost like a Hawk nipping at your tender skin. Hope this helps explain wind chills to you in a totally non-scientific way. Thanks!

Answer 4

Yeah - Lewis Black had the same opinion:

"They've gotta stop reporting wind chill. That's nonsense. It really is. I don't know where they came up with it, why they came up with it, but it's a lie. They come on, 'well, it's 27 degrees today, but with the wind chill, it's minus 3.' ... well, then it's minus 3, ******! I don't need to know what the weather was like if the conditions were perfect!"


I think it was around 1960 when they started reporting it in weather as wind-chill factor. In 2001 they called it the wind-chill index.