Does it ever feel like it’s hotter or colder outside than what your weather app says the actual temperature is? In this case, the feels like temp may be a better representation of outdoor conditions.
In the dead of winter or the peak of summer, the temperature reading shown in your standard weather app or morning forecast might not accurately prepare you for how you’ll feel when you step outside.
Several factors impact outdoor conditions, not just the air temperature, which is where the feels like temperature comes into play. So, what does feels like temperature mean? We’ll explore this weather term in more detail below.
- What Is The Feels Like Temperature?
- How Is Feels Like Temperature Calculated?
- Heat Index Vs. Feels Like Temperature: What’s The Difference?
Use the Tempest Home Weather System for accurate local weather data, including the feels like temperature, relative humidity, and more.
What Is The Feels Like Temperature?
The ‘feels like’ temperature describes how the current outside environment feels to the human body. It’s different from the actual air temperature, as it takes into account other weather factors such as wind, humidity, and cloudiness.
The apparent temperature can provide a more accurate depiction of outdoor weather conditions compared to just air temperature. Take the comparison of dry heat vs humid heat, for instance. An 80-degree day with high humidity doesn’t feel the same as an 80-degree day with low humidity and a light breeze. Feels like temperature takes into account these nuanced differences, helping you best prepare for spending time outdoors.
How Is Feels Like Temperature Calculated?
Various elements and meteorological data are considered in the calculation of the ‘feels like’ temperature, helping to make this reading more relevant to everyday activities. The indicators generally considered for this reading include wind speed, relative humidity, dew point, and air temperature.
However, this measurement doesn’t follow one universal formula or method. Rather, weather forecasting and meteorological services use their own approach, creating some discrepancies in forecast accuracy for ‘feels like’ temp.
Heat Index Vs. Feels Like Temperature: What’s The Difference?
Now you can answer the question, “What is a feels like temperature?” However, you might be curious how it compares to another commonly used weather term – the heat index. There is no difference in feels like vs. heat index. The heat index is a common way to describe the feels like temperature in the summer. In contrast, the term ‘wind chill’ is used interchangeably with the feels like temperature in the winter.
Measure Temperature Accurately In Your Area With The Tempest Weather System
The feels like temperature may provide a better gauge of how comfortable outdoor conditions using more data than just the surrounding air temperature reading.
Rather than using several weather instruments to monitor outdoor conditions, the Tempest Home Weather System is an all-in-one weather station providing you with real-time, accurate weather data – right from your own backyard.
Shop the Tempest Home Weather System today for a guaranteed better forecast that is specific to your location.