I know that with windchill factor, cold feels colder. If now the temperature is above freezing, would ice melt faster or slower when it's windy?
2007-02-19 13:51:28 · 4 answers · asked by averagebear 6 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Weather
As long as the wind is above freezing, it will help melt snow faster.
In the Plains states on the lee side of the Rocky mountains, snow can melt very quickly due to down sloping winds. These winds were named Chinook winds which many think mean "Snow Eaters". Apparently this is just a popular myth.
More info can be found here about Chinook Winds
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinook_wind
Anyways, today here in Indiana we started the day with 11 inches of snow on the ground. The temperature rose to 45 degrees but it was windy. By the end of the day we were down to 8.5 inches.
Essentially a warmer dry wind will allow the snow to disappear more rapidly through melting and sublimation than without any wind.
You could try an experiment for this at home. Put some ice in a bowl and time how long it take to melt.
Then put the same amount of ice in another bowl, but allow a house fan to blow onto it. Time how long it takes melt. The ice with the fan blowing on it should melt quicker.
2007-02-19 15:11:31 · answer #1 · answered by wxguy22 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nope. It can be 40 degrees with 15 degree wind chill and water will not ice up nor vice versa
2007-02-19 21:55:40 · answer #2 · answered by Justin 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wind would make ice melt faster.
2007-02-19 21:55:52 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
wind help melt faster.
Note ice melting above freezing,
ice can evporate below freezing.
It will not exist as water.
2007-02-21 16:29:38 · answer #4 · answered by zzjoev 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋