eli5: Why is 70 degree F water so much colder than 70 degree F air?

Question

I can hang out buck naked in 70 degree F outside all day but not touching 70 degree F water.

In: Earth Science

Answer 1

The way you feel the temperature is through the heat going in or out of your skin. Water is much better at pulling heat out of your body then air is, so it feels colder. Also, water will pull more heat out of your body then air will, so it will feel colder still.