The Weather Dog     bravely checking the weather and answering your questions.

Q:

Dear Weather Dog:

Do you know at what temperature (and wind chill) frost bite becomes a possibility?

--Bill S.

A:

Even with our fur coats, dogs care about cold temperatures, wind chill, and frostbite!

 

Technically, frost bite (freezing of the skin or exposed tissues) can occur whenever the temperature gets below 32°F (0°C).  When temperatures are very cold (as they have been this week), the real question is, how long can skin be exposed before frostbite begins?  In 2001, the National Weather Service issued a windchill chart that includes an estimate of how long a person's face can be exposed before frostbite begins.

 

Wind Chill Chart

 

For the temperatures and winds we have experienced this week (the second week of February, 2007) in Central Pennsylvania, generally you have about 30 minutes exposure time before frostbite sets in. 

 

 

The Weather Dog recommends these sites:

National Weather Service, "Windchill FAQ"  (source of Windchill Chart above)

National Weather Service, "Windchill Terms and Definitions"

American Humane Association, "Winter's Here"

 

Have a question for the weather dog?  Email it to mailto:pbeyer@bloomu.edu?subject=Dear Weather Dog.
The Weather Dogs live with Dr. Patricia Beyer of the Department of Geography & Geosciences at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania and spend at least one hour per day walking outside, 365 days per year.

Updated Wednesday, February 07, 2007