Why is there such a thing as a “feels like” temperature? For example, in NYC, it’s 91 degrees today but the weather app says it “fees like” 99 degrees
In: Earth Science
External temperature is the main variable affecting how hard it is for the human body to cool itself. Which is what gives us perceptions of a hot / cold environment.
It’s not the only variable though.
High humidity makes it feel hotter because it makes sweating less effective. Wind makes it feel colder because it’s constantly replacing warm-ish air next to you with cold air, and also makes sweating more effective.
So the “feels-like” temperature is the actual temperature plus or minus some number representing the wind / humidity conditions.
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