9.4
Comparison of recently published wind chill scales
Robert G. Quayle, NOAA/NCDC, Asheville, NC; and M. L. Nicodemus, R. W. Schwerdt, M. Matthews, and L. S. Kalkstein
Virtually all researchers in recent years who have seriously studied the current "official" wind chill formulation (developed in the 1940s) have concluded that it is too cold. The problems are manifold: the original (current) scale ignores metabolic heat generation; and biological and heat transfer modeling have been much improved since it was introduced. Since the mid-1990s, at least three peer-reviewed alternatives have appeared: Osczevski 1995, Steadman (in Quayle and Steadman 1998), and Bluestein and Zecher 1999. In this review paper, we define what is meant by wind chill equivalent temperature; compare the three indices noted above; and recommend method for settling upon a new, more accurate and useful "official" scale.
Session 9, Climate and Climate Impact Indices (Parallel with Joint Session J3)
Thursday, 11 May 2000, 10:40 AM-1:30 PM
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