Name: The truth about wind chill
Uploaded: 2026-01-08T08:19:38.952Z
Duration: 2 min 17 s
Description: Meteorologist Christy Climenhaga debunks some of the common misconceptions about this divisive weather measurement.

Meteorologist Christy Climenhaga debunks some of the common misconceptions about this divisive weather measurement.

Ottawa

CBC News provides a detailed explanation of wind chill, addressing common misconceptions about its existence and significance. The report clarifies that wind chill is a real value calculated from temperature and wind speed to indicate how cold it feels on exposed skin, and highlights the risk of frostbite in extreme conditions.

The article also notes that wind chill does not affect inanimate objects in the same way as humans, as objects will not cool below the actual air temperature. Environment Canada uses wind chill as a factor in issuing extreme cold warnings, with thresholds varying by region, and the report emphasizes the importance of wind chill warnings for public safety.

The truth about wind chill

Windchill. For some, it's the be-all, end-all term that matters, and for others, it's just a made-up number. So what is the truth about windchill? Let's clear up some misconceptions. Up first, windchill doesn't exist. While it is different than temperature, windchill is a real value calculated using the temperature and the wind speed to give you an idea of what it feels like on your skin when you step outside. Next up, you should always dress by the thermometer. You may say that the temperature is only minus 5, I don't need a hat, and that might be true if it's a calm day, but if that wind starts picking up, I can tell you from experience, frostbite is no joke. What that windchill value is really telling you is how fast your skin will freeze. So, if your windchill is about minus 30, it only takes 10 to 30 minutes for you to get frostbite. If it's a really cold and blustery day and that windchill is up to minus 50, frostbite can happen in just minutes. Windchill isn't as relevant when you're looking at inanimate objects. I mean, you don't have to worry about your car getting frostbite, but it can cool things down a little bit faster if it's warmer than the air outside. Kind of like blowing on a hot cup of coffee to cool it down so you can drink it a little faster. Now, that being said, if it's minus 5 degrees out, but the windchill is minus 20, do you need to plug it in? Well, no. The object will never cool down more than that outside air temperature. If your car's been sitting outside and it's already minus 5, that wind can blow all it wants. Your car is staying at minus 5. Environment Canada does factor in windchill when it's issuing its extreme cold warnings, but depending on where you are, you may see that warning a little later, or sometimes not at all. In Alberta and southern Saskatchewan, you need a windchill or temperature of minus 40 for at least 2 hours before you see a warning. But in Toronto, that number jumps down to minus 30. Some people just use the windchill to exaggerate how cold it is. This is definitely true, and maybe we're all a little guilty of exaggerating things a little bit when we're recounting our winters, but because of the dangers that come with cold temperatures and extremely cold windchills, even if the term can be used to blow things a little bit out of proportion, if it stops people from getting frostbite, it's probably worth it.

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