WASHINGTON — A potent cold front has plowed through the area and brought some of the coldest temperatures of the season Tuesday.
Highs Tuesday will only climb to the 30s and low 40s for the region. With winds whipping up to 15 to 20 miles per hour, the wind chill will be in full effect. The wind chill will make it feel like the 20s, even teens at times during the day on Tuesday. Puffy coat and hot chocolate weather for sure!
Here's a timeline for the cold weather on Tuesday
Lunch
Now- 2 p.m.
Temperatures: 38-42 degrees Wind Chill: 27-35 degrees.
Afternoon Rush
3 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Temperatures: 30-38 degrees Wind Chill: 19-29 degrees.
(Air temperature in white. Wind chill temperature in blue.)
What's Wind Chill
The wind chill is based on air temperature and wind speed. It's what the temperature feels like to your body when cold air and wind are combined. There is a warm layer of air just above our skin. On a cold day, winds come along and move the warm air way from us. This helps to remove heat from our bodies and makes us feel colder.
The actual air temperature may be 30 degrees, but with a 10 mile per hour wind, it feels like 21 degrees to your body. At temperatures of 10 degrees and a 55 mile per hour wind, frost bite can happen in 30 minutes.
Wind chill effects both people and animals. The National Weather Service recommends keeping pets warm and dry.
What does wind chill not impact?
Wind chill does not have an impact on items such as cars and pipes. It may help to cool those items faster, but not below the actual air temperature.