Alaska Windchill Temperature Sets New All-Time Record

The National Weather Service records daily figures of Windchill Temperature (WCT) by using science, technology, and computer modeling. Their records and calculations of Alaska's wind chill have shown a new record for the country's coldest state. 

The index that the NWS uses can be found here. Among its most important aspects, the index "calculates wind speed at an average height of five feet" (the average adult height), "incorporates the heat transfer theory, which is heat loss from the body to its surroundings," and "uses a consistent standard for skin tissue resistance." Found on the NWS website, these factors helped determine Alaska's new record setting wind chill of minus 97 degrees Fahrenheit.

Previously set on January 28^th, 1989, Alaska's wind chill record was minus 96 degrees Fahrenheit at Prudoe Bay, a coastal town with Arctic oil fields. The new site of the wind chill record is Howards Pass, located in Alaska's Brooks Range. Sustained winds were recorded at 71 miles per hour and maxed out at 78 mph. In other words, if you were outside for only five minutes, you probably would have gotten frostbite on any exposed skin.

Despite setting a new wind chill record, Alaska's winter has been warmer than average this year. In fact, New York City has recorded 10 more inches of snow than Anchorage this winter.

The Howards Pass wind chill record was set on Valentine's Day through the use of a remotely-operated National Weather Service sensor. Fortunately, no one was around to feel these temperatures. Howards Pass has no population, most likely for this exact reason.

To put wind chill and frost bite into perspective, LiveScience has provided scientific information about weather and the human body. Normal body temperature is 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, and this frigid wind chill has the ability to cause frostbite in less than five minutes, which will cause the body's temperature to drop. When your body temperature drops to 95 degrees, mild hypothermia begins to set in, while amnesia can occur at 91 degrees, and loss of consciousness at 82 degrees. Death can occur at a body temperature under 70 degrees Fahrenheit. 

To read more about Alaska's record setting wind chill, visit this LiveScience article.