The wind chill factor

(not a major concern in Florida, so when you need to know - pay attention)

This Wind Chill Chart is provided to help determine how cold you will feel on a motorcycle even in warm temperatures with a slight breeze. The wind chill factor is a measure of how fast heat is being removed from your body. For example, if the air temperature is 40 degrees and you are riding at 20 miles per hour, it feels the same as 30 degrees with no speed at all.   The NAtional Weather Service chart below is supposedly a "new" formula..... The current formula uses advances in science, technology, and computer modeling to provide a more accurate, understandable, and useful formula for calculating the dangers from winter winds and freezing temperatures. Specifically, the new WCT index: Calculates wind speed at an average height of five feet (typical height of an adult human face) based on readings from the national standard height of 33 feet (typical height of an anemometer) Is based on a human face model Incorporates modern heat transfer theory (heat loss from the body to its surroundings, during cold and breezy/windy days) Lowers the calm wind threshold to 3 mph Uses a consistent standard for skin tissue resistance Assumes no impact from the sun (i.e., clear night sky). Note: Windchill Temperature is only defined for temperatures at or below 50 degrees F and wind speeds above 3 mph. Bright sunshine may increase the windchill temperature by 10 to 18 degrees F. For more information, or to calculate windchills, visit http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/windchill/index.shtml

You can see from the above chart that proper clothing is essential for safety and comfort while cruising down the highway. (Note: Winds above 40 mph have little additional effect.