Can somebody explain 'feels like' temperatures please?

[SunshineOutdoors]

My met office app says it's 0 degrees here but it 'feels like' -4.

Please can someone explain in a simple way how it can actually be one temperature but 'feel like' another, and who decides what it 'feels like'?

Thank you

[LadyMargolotta]

I think it's the wind chill factor? That means the wind causes you to feel colder?

[SunshineOutdoors]

But why would a cold wind not make it actually be colder? Sorry if that's a silly question

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

sunshine, for cold, the main factor is wind speed. Its not to do with the temperature of the wind (its going to be pretty much the same temperature as the air when its not windy!) Its that it removes body heat and thats why it makes it feel colder.

[SunshineOutdoors]

Ah, okay....

Is 'feels like' directly calculable from wind speed then? (Can't get image out of my head of someone standing outside saying, 'hmmm, feels like about -4 to me today.')

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

It is, but there are lots of different formulas giving slightly different answers.

[SunshineOutdoors]

Thank you! I've heard from other threads you take a lot of time helping mners with weather problems. Thanks for helping to explain this to me oybbk

[SunshineOutdoors]

And thanks ladymargolotta too...

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

You are really welcome :)

[digerd]

You know in the heat and air conditioning just moves the same air and cools you down? It does not affect the air temperature, but it affects our skin
The same with riding a bike which creates its own breeze/air movement and feels cooler. But the air temperature has not changed. You stop cycling and you feel hot again. It is air movement that cools us down/makes us shiver with the cold. Dry heat and cold is much more pleasant than humid/damp too.

[SunshineOutdoors]

Yes! That 'riding a bike' explanation has completed my understanding. Thanks!

Feel a bit thick but if you don't ask you don't know, do you?

[digerd]

I only started being interested in these things since I retired and have time on my hands to try satisfy my thirst for knowledge of the curious things in life In the summer, car air conditioning makes me feel really cold, but the air temperature is just the same as without it. It is the hot/cold nerves in our skin that react to the air movement. I don't know scientifically how it works though, just that it does.