Dane Gibson
Northern News Services

Edmonton (Nov 29/99) - It's the wind chill that gets you.

In an effort to gauge if weather forecasts were understandable to Northerners, more than 1,100 Yukon, NWT, and Nunavut residents were phone-polled by the Arctic Weather Centre.

Environment Canada meteorologist Yvonne Bilan-Wallace said they found that while 75 per cent polled checked the weather forecast at least once a day, most didn't know what the wind chill numbers meant that are included in the forecast.

"Most people felt the weather reports were very important. One of the things they were most concerned about was wind -- especially in winter conditions," said Bilan-Wallace.

"The most disturbing statistic was that 63 per cent of the people polled had no idea what the wind chill numbers we were using meant."

Most communities access the forecasts through radio and television. In the forecast, a wind chill factor number is included.

Bilan-Wallace said if you hear a wind factor of 1,800 broadcasted, there is a high wind chill factor. 2,000 is very high and 2,400 is extreme.

The number is derived from a formula that uses a combination of wind speed and air temperature. It is a measurement of how much heat is lost from a surface.

For the record, the coldest wind chill factor ever recorded occurred in Pelly Bay on Jan. 13, 1975. The temperature was -51 C, the wind chill number was 3,360.

"People should know that if we report a wind chill factor of 1,800, there's a risk of hypothermia and frostbite. That doesn't mean don't go outside, just go outside dressed for the conditions," said Bilan-Wallace.

"At 2,000 our cooling rates are getting very high. We put the message out that at 2,000, frostbite could occur in minutes. When we get to 2,400, we put in the message that there are hazardous frostbite conditions. Travel becomes a real issue at 2,400."

Bilan-Wallace said when you hear people say "it may only be -35 C, but with wind chill factor its -50 C," be suspicious.

"In the 1940s, the wind chill equation (using temperature) was developed in the Antarctica using a plastic vile of water," said Bilan-Wallace.

"That equation is still used today but it doesn't take into account body heat, if it's sunny out, or if your wearing clothes. And at the very cold end of the scale, the method gets less precise."

In the survey, they also asked people in the territories what was important to them about weather, and if they perceived the forecasts to be accurate. She said the information they gathered from the communities will help them better tailor their forecasts to the unique needs of Northerners who rely on them.

"We're hoping over the next two years that the science will have improved and we'll have developed a better national program," said Bilan-Wallace.

"But for now, we're adjusting the forecast so people in the North understand it better. That will hopefully give them the information they need to make better decisions and make their outdoor activities more enjoyable and safer."