What is wind chill? What is the wind chill index?
Wind chill is the cooling effect of the wind in combination with low temperatures. When it is windy, we feel colder because our skin temperature is lower. This sensation of cold is what the wind chill index quantifies: as such, the index is not a real temperature and is expressed without units, even though it is calibrated according to the Celsius temperature scale. Environment Canada’s wind chill index gives you a good idea of the temperature which, with a quasi calm wind, would give your face a sensation of cold similar to that caused by the actual temperature and wind. Wind chill also estimates the risk of your getting frostbite (a severe injury caused by cold). You will find more details in our wind chill Web site.
