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Learning Center / Model Parameters / Surface & Precipitation

Apparent Temperature (Feels Like)

How the air feels once wind or humidity is factored in.

GFS wind chill map of the central United States showing wind chills of 20 to 35 below zero across the Midwest — 2 m wind chill/heat index (°F) showing dangerous wind chills across the Midwest, from the GFS model. Init: Tue 2024-12-31 00z, valid Fri 2025-01-10 12z.

What the map shows

Wind chill in cold weather and heat index in hot, humid weather.

How to read the colors

Deep blues and purples for dangerous cold. For heat, colors run red, then brown, then grey as the danger climbs.

Common mistakes

Planning around actual temperature when the feels-like value is what affects safety.

Key terms

Wind Chill Dewpoint

Open in Pivotal Weather

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