Wind-chill is the combined cooling effect of air, temperature and wind on a heated body, rather than temperature as shown by the thermometer. This means that it is a lot colder when the wind is blowing than what the thermometer shows. The effective temperature is lowered in the presence of heat robbing wind. The higher the speed of the wind, the greater is the temperature drop.
Large parts of our country experience temperatures of 7-8degC during winter. Check out the chart on the next page. With the wind blowing at about 64kmph, the effective temperature would be something like -8degC. That’s below freezing and prime weather for hypothermia and frostbite. Whether it is the wind blowing at 80kmph or the rider riding at that speed, the wind-chill factor is the same for the body. So, for long distance riding in winter, dress up like you would for sub-zero conditions. These figures are for dry conditions. Wet clothing retains as little as one-tenth of its insulating value and even fog or mist could get you wet enough. So use rain-proofs and keep dry. Even though we live in a tropical country, large tracts in the north do experience severe winter conditions. Even in the plains, temperatures can hover around freezing during morning and night. So, take the chill seriously and don't get caught cold!
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12-01-2009, 02:05 PM
The Wind Chill Factor
