Felt temperature: what is it?

The temperature felt takes into account not only the measured temperature but also the speed of wind andhumidity ambient. It is the result of a equation based on heat exchanges and on experimental data acquired from volunteers.

For example, when the outside temperature is lower than that of our body, the heat escapes from the latter, surrounding it with a layer ofair warmer than the ambient air. The wind can sweep this layer of air. Our body must then mobilizeenergy to renew it.

Difference between actual temperature and perceived temperature

Depending on the season, the sensations can vary between real temperatures and felt temperatures, and this in different ways:

• In winter, when the wind blows hard, the feeling of cold is accentuated. An actual temperature of -10 ° C in a wind of 30 km / h can be felt as a temperature of -20 ° C. But, this feeling varies from person to person;
• In summer, it is humidity that reinforces the feeling of heat because it makes the evaporation of sweat less efficient.

The temperature felt is an index used in the context of preventive measures against extreme cold or heat wave.