<p>One measure that could be used is the <a href="https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/societal-impacts/apparent-temp/at" rel="nofollow noreferrer">apparent temperature</a>, which combines air temperature, humidity and wind speed to derive the temperature that the human body feels. It is sometimes referred to as the "feels like" temperature or the Steadman temperature, after Robert Steadman who proposed the idea in 1971. </p>

<p>The formula used by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency, for calculating the apparent temperature is:</p>

<pre><code> AT = -2.7 + 1.04*T + 2.0*e -0.65*v
</code></pre>

<p>where AT and T (air temperature) are °C, e is vapor pressure in kPa,
and v is 10m wind speed in m/sec. </p>

<p>Most weather oraganizations include the calculated apparent temperature in their weather reports.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-03-31T07:50:03.790Z
2018-03-31T07:50:03.790Z
Fred
<p>Indeed, there are some standard measures of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apparent_temperature" rel="nofollow noreferrer">apparent temperature</a> which are derived from important things like body heat loss, as well as all sorts of proprietary formulations such as <a href="http://birmingham.raycomweather.com/2015/06/heat-index-vs-feels-like-temperature.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Feels-Like temperature</a> that attempt to throw in many extra factors.</p>

<p>But in the end, different people do indeed enjoy the feel of different climates, and so it becomes somewhat subjective.  Not sure a large percentage of the population agrees, but I actually much favor the the feel of moist hot weather as opposed to dry hot weather with the same temperature.  And I've known others who will get shivers anytime the temperature drops below 80 °F (26.7 °C).  So when you say "feel better", indeed any estimate is going to be debatable in its validity.</p>

<p>Also note, it'd seem hard to incorporate the probability of precipitation into a comfort metric in a meaningful way.  It either rains or it doesn't; a 20% POP day feels the exact same as a 0% POP day, all other conditions being equal, if the rain doesn't occur.  Now obviously getting soaked may not be the cup of tea for everyone... but <a href="https://youtu.be/w40ushYAaYA?t=60" rel="nofollow noreferrer">there are some</a>!</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-03-31T10:57:21.213Z
2018-03-31T11:16:43.397Z
2018-03-31T11:16:43.397Z
JeopardyTempest
<p>Is there a way to measure the overall feel of the weather for a place?</p>

<p>Suppose that:<br>
Place A has Temperature $33^o C$, Humidity $57\%$, Wind $14\;km/hr$, and Precipitation $20\%$<br>
Place B has Temperature $37^o C$, Humidity $11\%$, Wind $14\;km/hr$, and Precipitation $0\%$</p>

<p>Which place would feel better?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-03-31T11:18:11.603Z
See also the related though different question: [Is there a formula that gives the temperature of an object or person exposed to](https://earthscience.stackexchange.com/questions/13646/is-there-a-formula-that-gives-the-temperature-of-an-object-or-person-exposed-to)
JeopardyTempest
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-04-01T03:31:06.973Z
Feel better to whom?  Someone like me, who enjoys a nice day cross-country skiing in sub-zero temperatures, but wilts if it gets over 90F/32C?
jamesqf
<meteorology><climate>
How should one compare the comfort of climates?
Ashok
# How should one compare the comfort of climates?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-03-31)

Is there a way to measure the overall feel of the weather for a place?

Suppose that:  
Place A has Temperature $33^o C$, Humidity $57\%$, Wind $14\;km/hr$, and Precipitation $20\%$  
Place B has Temperature $37^o C$, Humidity $11\%$, Wind $14\;km/hr$, and Precipitation $0\%$

Which place would feel better?

**Tags:** meteorology, climate

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: See also the related though different question: [Is there a formula that gives the temperature of an object or person exposed to](https://earthscience.stackexchange.com/questions/13646/is-there-a-formula-that-gives-the-temperature-of-an-object-or-person-exposed-to)  
> **username_2**: Feel better to whom?  Someone like me, who enjoys a nice day cross-country skiing in sub-zero temperatures, but wilts if it gets over 90F/32C?  

---

## 2 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2018-03-31. Score: 3

One measure that could be used is the [apparent temperature](https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/societal-impacts/apparent-temp/at), which combines air temperature, humidity and wind speed to derive the temperature that the human body feels. It is sometimes referred to as the "feels like" temperature or the Steadman temperature, after Robert Steadman who proposed the idea in 1971.

The formula used by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency, for calculating the apparent temperature is:

```
 AT = -2.7 + 1.04*T + 2.0*e -0.65*v

```

where AT and T (air temperature) are °C, e is vapor pressure in kPa,
and v is 10m wind speed in m/sec.

Most weather oraganizations include the calculated apparent temperature in their weather reports.


---

### Answer by username_1 on 2018-03-31. Score: 2

Indeed, there are some standard measures of [apparent temperature](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apparent_temperature) which are derived from important things like body heat loss, as well as all sorts of proprietary formulations such as [Feels-Like temperature](http://birmingham.raycomweather.com/2015/06/heat-index-vs-feels-like-temperature.html) that attempt to throw in many extra factors.

But in the end, different people do indeed enjoy the feel of different climates, and so it becomes somewhat subjective. Not sure a large percentage of the population agrees, but I actually much favor the the feel of moist hot weather as opposed to dry hot weather with the same temperature. And I've known others who will get shivers anytime the temperature drops below 80 °F (26.7 °C). So when you say "feel better", indeed any estimate is going to be debatable in its validity.

Also note, it'd seem hard to incorporate the probability of precipitation into a comfort metric in a meaningful way. It either rains or it doesn't; a 20% POP day feels the exact same as a 0% POP day, all other conditions being equal, if the rain doesn't occur. Now obviously getting soaked may not be the cup of tea for everyone... but [there are some](https://youtu.be/w40ushYAaYA?t=60)!


---

