Have you ever noticed that the weather forecast displays the actual temperature as well as a “feels like” temperature?
Because 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) feels very different from 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) when it’s dry and breezy from 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) when it’s stagnant and humid.
In this visual explanation, we highlight the regions where heat stress is highest and show the differences between air temperature and “feels like” temperature.
First, how are temperatures determined?
A network of weather stations spread out all over the world is what determines the temperature you see on the weather app or the news app on your phone.
Weather stations typically place specialist platinum resistance thermometers inside shaded Stevenson screens to ensure accurate readings.
Measurements are made at a typical height of 1.22 to 4.56 feet (4 to 6.56 feet). This gives an accurate reading of how hot people actually feel.
Celsius and Fahrenheit are two well-known temperature scales.
Only a select few nations, including the United States, use Fahrenheit as their official scale. The Celsius scale, which was developed in 1742 in honor of Swedish astronomer Anders Celsius, who was the inventor of the 0-100 degree freezing and boiling point scale, is used by the majority of the world.
What is measured by “feeling like” temperature?
Your body’s actual body temperature may not always be measured by air temperature alone.
In hot weather, the “feels like” temperature is frequently included in weather reports.
Taking into account factors like humidity, wind speed, and sun exposure, this temperature adjustment adjusts the air temperature to reflect how your body actually experiences it.
Humidity
How much water vapour is in the air according to humidity?
The human body is most effective when it is 98.6F or around 37C. Blood vessels widen to circulate more blood to the skin, and sweat glands release moisture that evaporates to keep heat from being carried away.
However, evaporation slows down as the cooling system cools down and raises the risk of overheating even when sweating.
Wind tenacity
Wind tenacity affects the “feels like” temperature in two opposite ways, depending on whether it is cold or hot.
Wind blows away the thin layer of warm air that has been wicked away from your body during cold weather. The wind may feel colder the faster.
A light breeze can help evaporate sweat in hot weather, making it feel cooler.
Sun exposure
Because your body absorbs infrared radiation from the sun, it feels hotter than the shaded air temperature. Direct sunlight adds more warmth, which makes shaded areas feel cooler even if the thermometer reads the same.
What degree of heat stress is there?
When the body stores more heat than it can release, it causes heat stress. High air temperatures, elevated humidity, and direct sunlight can all contribute, but physical activity can also play a role.
The Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) is used to quantify how weather affects people physiologically. It has 10 thermal stress categories, including extreme heat (above 46C/115F) and extreme cold (below -40C/-40F).
The “feels like” temperature can differ from the actual air temperature by up to 15C (27F) or even more.
The “feels like” temperature is a measure of the difference between the actual air temperature and the “feels like” temperature in various cities. Cities with high humidity or direct sunlight frequently experience significantly higher “feels like” temperatures, while windy or cold locations can feel significantly colder.
Where is the highest temperature?
The World Health Organization notes that heat stress is the primary cause of weather-related deaths and can worsen underlying conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, mental health, and asthma. It also raises the risk of accidents and the spread of a number of infectious diseases.
Baghdad, Iraq has the highest heat stress level in the world, with Kuwait City, Kuwait at 50.3C (122.5F), and Doha, Qatar, at 49.2C (120.6F), according to data from the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S).
The regions typically experience the most heat stress when they combine extremely hot temperatures, high humidity, and intense sun exposure.
