Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

does thin air at a temperature of -2 feel less cold than air at sea level with the same temperature

Hi applesandonions101,

People can perceive colder or warmer conditions than the actual air temperature indicates. Perceived temperature is also called apparent temperature. The air temperature, humidity and wind speed are included in the calculation of apparent temperature as shown in the following link.

http://www.meteor.iastate.edu/~ckarsten ... ature.html

When the air temperature is below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, wind chill is used for the apparent temperature. So if your sea level and higher altitude locations have the same wind speed the apparent temperature (or wind chill) will be the same.

I hope this helps. Please post again if you have more questions.

A. Norman