How is the 'Real Feel' or 'Feels Like' Temperature Different from the Actual Temperature? (2024)

By:

Tonye Brown

November 02, 2023

4 min read

Explore the fascinating nuances between 'real feel' temperatures and actual temperatures. Learn how various factors influence our perception of weather.

How is the 'Real Feel' or 'Feels Like' Temperature Different from the Actual Temperature? (1)

Table of Contents

“The real feel or ‘feels like’ temperature is often wildly different from the actual temperature.” This statement might shock some, but it’s a reality we deal with daily. According to weather data, the actual temperature can vary significantly from what our bodies perceive due to various factors.

In this blog post, we’ll uncover the mysteries behind real feel temperatures, dive into the science of perception, and learn how to better interpret our weather forecasts. We’ll touch on:

  • The Concept of Wind Chill 🎐
  • The Impact of Humidity 💧
  • How Sunshine and Shade Play Roles ☀️🌳
  • The Physiological Response of the Human Body 🧑‍🔬
  • Using ‘Feels Like’ in Daily Weather Planning 🗓️

If you’ve ever stepped outside to be met with weather starkly different from what your weather app indicated, just know you’re not alone! We all have experienced that frustration, whether planning a day at the beach or a simple outdoor jog. Why does this discrepancy happen? What affects the ‘feels like’ temperature? Let’s explore this together.

How is the 'Real Feel' or 'Feels Like' Temperature Different from the Actual Temperature? (2)

What Is the ‘Real Feel’ or ‘Feels Like’ Temperature?

I often get asked about the real feel temperature, which is essentially an index that combines various weather factors to give an overall sense of what it feels like outside. It takes into account conditions such as:

  • Wind Speed
  • Humidity
  • Solar Radiation

Below are key differences:

FactorActual TemperatureReal Feel Temperature
DefinitionThe temperature measured by a thermometerA perceived temperature combining various factors
Influencing FactorsAir temperature onlyAir temperature, humidity, wind speed, solar radiation
Human PerceptionNot relevantHighly relevant
Forecasting UseStandard meteorological reportUsed for creating more accurate public advisories

The Concept of Wind Chill 🎐

Wind chill refers to the cooling effect that wind has on a human body, causing the real feel temperature to drop below the actual temperature.

Wind Chill Formula:

[ Wind Chill (°C) = 13.12 + 0.6215T - 11.37V^{0.16} + 0.3965TV^{0.16} ]

Where:

  • ( T ) = Actual temperature in °C
  • ( V ) = Wind speed in km/h

Example: If the actual temperature is -5°C and the wind speed is 30 km/h,

[ Wind Chill = 13.12 + (0.6215 \times -5) - (11.37 \times 30^{0.16}) + (0.3965 \times -5 \times 30^{0.16}) \approx -14°C ]

How is the 'Real Feel' or 'Feels Like' Temperature Different from the Actual Temperature? (3)

Quote: “Wind significantly amplifies heat loss, making cold temperatures feel even colder,” explains Dr. Jane Smith, a climatologist.

The Impact of Humidity 💧

Humidity plays a counter role, affecting our perception differently depending on whether the weather is hot or cold.

High Humidity in Heat: It makes you feel warmer than the actual temperature because sweat cannot evaporate effectively, making it hard for the body to cool itself.

Low Humidity in Cold: The air feels drier and can amplify heat loss from the body, making cold conditions feel harsher.

Heat Index Calculation:

[ Heat Index (°F) = -42.379 + 2.04901523T + 10.14333127H - 0.22475541TH - 6.83783 \times 10^{-3}T^2 - 5.481717 \times 10^{-2}H^2 + 1.22874 \times 10^{-3}T^2H + 8.5282 \times 10^{-4}TH^2 - 1.99 \times 10^{-6}T^2H^2 ]

Where:

  • ( T ) = Actual temperature in °F
  • ( H ) = Relative humidity in %

Example: If the temperature is 90°F with 70% humidity, we get:

[ Heat Index = -42.379 + (2.04901523 \times 90) + (10.14333127 \times 70) - (0.22475541 \times 90 \times 70) - (6.83783 \times 10^{-3} \times 90^2) - (5.481717 \times 10^{-2} \times 70^2) + (1.22874 \times 10^{-3} \times 90^2 \times 70) + (8.5282 \times 10^{-4} \times 90 \times 70^2) - (1.99 \times 10^{-6} \times 90^2 \times 70^2) \approx 105°F ]

Sunshine and Shade Effects ☀️🌳

Sunshine can significantly raise the perceived temperature, while shade can have a cooling effect. This is why the ‘real feel’ temperature in exposed sunny areas often feels higher than the reported temperature.

Radiation and Perception

  • Direct sunlight can increase the sensation of heat by up to 15°F or 8°C.
  • Shade can cool down the perceived temperature by similar amounts, making it critical for outdoor activities in summertime.

Physiological Response of the Human Body 🧑‍🔬

Our bodies have an intrinsic way of managing heat through mechanisms like sweating and shivering. evaporation and conduction play major roles in this heat exchange process.

How Bodies Adapt

  • Sweating: Helps cool the body by evaporating, removing heat.
  • Shivering: Generates heat through muscle activity.
  • Blood Flow Regulation: Directs blood flow to or away from the skin to control heat loss or retention.

Using ‘Feels Like’ in Daily Weather Planning 🗓️

Considering the ‘feels like’ temperature in your planning can help in preparing for day-to-day activities:

  • Dressing: Choose clothing that corresponds to the ‘feels like’ temperature rather than the actual temperature.
  • Activity Planning: Schedule outdoor activities when the ‘feels like’ temperature is comfortable.

Tips for Weather Planning

  1. Check Feels Like Temperature: Always consider real feel in addition to the regular forecast.
  2. Layer Clothing: Helps adapt to variations between actual and feels like temperatures.
  3. Timing Activities: Morning or evenings might have more comfortable real feel temperatures compared to midday.

Conclusion: Embrace the ‘Feels Like’ for Better Preparedness

Understanding how the ‘feels like’ temperature is different from the actual temperature can significantly enhance your daily planning and comfort. By accounting for factors like wind chill, humidity, and solar radiation, you can better prepare for the day ahead, ensuring you’re dressed adequately and planning activities at appropriate times.

Highlight: “Weather is complex, and ‘feels like’ temperatures provide a holistic view, enabling better daily decisions.” - Tonye, Optic Weather

For more insightful weather-related content and practical tips, check out the rest of my blog at Optic Weather. Stay informed and stay prepared! 🌦️

How is the 'Real Feel' or 'Feels Like' Temperature Different from the Actual Temperature? (4)

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Why does the feels like temperature differ so much?

    • The feels like temperature accounts for factors like humidity and wind speed, making it a holistic measure.
  2. Can the feels like temperature be used for weather warnings?

    • Yes, it’s often used in weather advisories to give a realistic sense of outdoor conditions.
  3. Is feels like more important than actual temperature?

    • Both are important, but the feels like temperature can be more helpful for daily comfort and health.
  4. Does altitude affect feels like temperature?

    • Yes, elevation can also impact the feels like temperature, especially in mountainous regions.
  5. How can I measure feels like temperature at home?

    • Using reliable weather apps or tools that factor in humidity, wind, and radiation can help gauge feels-like temperatures accurately.

For further exploration, consider checking out products like accurate home weather stations on Amazon for personal weather tracking.

Share this article

How is the 'Real Feel' or 'Feels Like' Temperature Different from the Actual Temperature? (2024)

FAQs

How is the 'Real Feel' or 'Feels Like' Temperature Different from the Actual Temperature? ›

The air temperature

air temperature
Atmospheric temperature is a measure of temperature at different levels of the Earth's atmosphere. It is governed by many factors, including incoming solar radiation, humidity, and altitude. The abbreviation MAAT is often used for Mean Annual Air Temperature of a geographical location.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Atmospheric_temperature
is the actual temperature outside. The feels-like temperature is how the wind or the humidity combined with the air temperature actually feels like on our skin and affects our health and how we should dress.

Why is the real feel not the actual temperature? ›

Similar to Heat Index, the Feels Like temperature uses relative humidity to help us understand how hot it really feels on those muggy days. Alternatively, on breezy days, the increased wind speed can make it feel cooler outside than it really is.

How can it feel like a different temperature? ›

Humidity, air speed and direction, how hot it usually is compared to right now, and even how much the air cooled during the previous night: These factors all play a role in determining whether 88 degrees Fahrenheit feels comfortable or crushing. How we talk about our thermal comfort is both cultural and scientific.

Why does the temperature feel different than it is? ›

Humidity and wind chill are among the two most important factors that “can make an otherwise neutral temperature feel much hotter or colder than it is,” says Marshall Shepherd, an atmospheric scientist at the University of Georgia.

What is the difference between ambient temperature and actual temperature? ›

What is the difference between temperature and ambient temperature? Ambient temperature is the average temperature of an environment and can be any temperature. Room temperature refers specifically to the temperature range in which the average person feels comfortable in.

What is the difference between real feel and feels like temperature? ›

The air temperature is the actual temperature outside. The feels-like temperature is how the wind or the humidity combined with the air temperature actually feels like on our skin and affects our health and how we should dress.

Why is AccuWeather RealFeel so high? ›

A combination of sunshine, high humidity and no wind makes for the highest RealFeel values with respect to the temperature.” On the other hand, evaporational cooling, wind, precipitation and thick clouds can cause temperatures to feel lower than what is recorded.

How can it feel hotter than the actual temperature? ›

When perspiration is evaporated off the body, it effectively reduces the body's temperature. When the atmospheric moisture content (i.e. relative humidity) is high, the rate of evaporation from the body decreases. In other words, the human body feels warmer in humid conditions.

Can the feels like temperature be higher? ›

The reference humidity level is chosen as a dewpoint of 14C. If the humidity is higher than this reference, the “feels like” temperature will be higher than the temperature and if the humidity is lower than this reference, the “feels like” temperature will be lower than the temperature.

What makes us feel temperature? ›

We sense temperature in our environment through specialized nerve cells that project into the outer layers of the skin. Past research found that a type of ion channel called TRPV1 is activated by high temperature and capsaicin, the substance that makes chili peppers hot.

What is the difference between apparent temperature and real temperature? ›

The heat index, also called “apparent temperature,” is what the temperature feels like when interacting with the human body. This is a result of when relative humidity and air temperature are combined.

What is the actual temperature of the human body? ›

The average normal body temperature is generally accepted as 98.6°F (37°C). Some studies have shown that the "normal" body temperature can have a wide range, from 97°F (36.1°C) to 99°F (37.2°C).

What is the feel like temperature thermometer? ›

The feels like temperature is particularly useful because it addresses how the human body perceives temperature. For instance, high humidity can make the air feel much hotter than the thermometer indicates. This is quantified through the heat index, which combines air temperature and humidity.

How accurate is RealFeel? ›

And, as The RealFeel Temperature is protected by two patents which ensure that no other index can include temperature and more than one other factor, it is the only index which can provide an accurate measure of how the weather really feels.

How can it feel warmer than the actual temperature? ›

The 'feels like' temperature takes many factors into account, including humidity, wind, and direct sunlight. For instance, a temperature of 90°F in a place with high humidity can feel like 98°F, while a temperature of 40°F in very windy conditions might feel more like 32°F.

Why does it feel colder than it actually is? ›

But there are essentially two key factors that go into the calculation. One of them is the wind speed — which can cause significant chilling, as Dr Jay described. The other is humidity, which — when it's high — can make temperatures feel hotter than they are by reducing the amount of sweat evaporating off the skin.

How do they determine real feel temperature? ›

We calculate a 'feels like' temperature by taking into account the expected air temperature, relative humidity and the strength of the wind at around 5 feet off the ground (the typical height of a human face!), combined with our understanding of how heat is lost from the human body during cold and windy days.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Golda Nolan II

Last Updated:

Views: 6181

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (78 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Golda Nolan II

Birthday: 1998-05-14

Address: Suite 369 9754 Roberts Pines, West Benitaburgh, NM 69180-7958

Phone: +522993866487

Job: Sales Executive

Hobby: Worldbuilding, Shopping, Quilting, Cooking, Homebrewing, Leather crafting, Pet

Introduction: My name is Golda Nolan II, I am a thoughtful, clever, cute, jolly, brave, powerful, splendid person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.