Apparent Temperature – Quick Summary
- Apparent Temperature estimates how warm or cold the weather feels to the human body.
- The calculation uses air temperature, relative humidity and wind speed.
- High humidity can increase the apparent temperature.
- Wind can reduce the apparent temperature.
- It is a calculated estimate rather than a directly measured temperature.
Apparent Temperature
The measured air temperature does not always reflect how warm or cold the weather actually feels to the human body. Relative humidity and wind speed both influence the exchange of heat between the body and its surroundings.
The apparent temperature displayed on this website is calculated using the Australian Apparent Temperature method. This model combines the measured air temperature, relative humidity and wind speed into a single calculated value.
When the air is very humid, perspiration evaporates less efficiently, making it feel warmer than the thermometer indicates. Wind, on the other hand, enhances heat loss from the body and can make the weather feel cooler.
Apparent Temperature differs from the Heat Index, Humidex and Wind Chill. Each of these indices was developed for different weather conditions and therefore answers a different question.
The same weather conditions, different results
Suppose the air temperature is 30 °C, the relative humidity is 70%, and the wind speed is 2 m/s. Although the weather conditions are identical, the various indices produce different values.
| Index | Result | Primary purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Apparent Temperature | approximately 34.4 °C | General perceived temperature based on air temperature, humidity and wind |
| Heat Index | approximately 35.0 °C | Perceived heat under hot and humid conditions |
| Humidex | approximately 40.9 | Heat and humidity based on air temperature and vapour pressure |
| Wind Chill | Not applicable | Cooling effect of wind at low temperatures |
| WBGT | Cannot be determined directly | Heat stress taking solar radiation and activity into account |
These values do not contradict one another. Each index uses its own calculation method and was developed for a specific purpose. For that reason, there is no single universal "feels like" temperature that is suitable for every weather situation.
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