Staying out of the wind is important in that the wind cools you down faster, more so when you are wet and tired.
By staying out of the wind you mantain your body heat better, making your stay outside more pleasant.
In winter the wind will increase your chances of getting frostbites or even worse hypotermia (hypotermia could also occur in summertime).
Below is a couple of windchill (felt temperature) charts, both for the metric/celsius people and those with a preference towards the imperial numbers.
Most people don`t have means to measure the wind speed when out in the woods (although small digital instruments are available).
Below is a chart showing the Beufort wind scale, with description of the effect the wind has on smoke or trees, making it possible to guess the windspeed you at any given moment.
Beuforts scale
|
Force |
Description |
Wind speed (mph) |
Wind speed (m/s) |
Land conditions |
|
0 |
Calm |
0-1 |
0,0-0,2 |
Smoke rises vertically. |
|
1 |
Light air |
1-3 |
0,3-1,5 |
Wind motion visible in smoke |
|
2 |
Light breeze |
4-7 |
1,6-3,3 |
Wind felt on exposed skin. Leaves rustle |
|
3 |
Gentle breeze |
8-12 |
3,4-5,4 |
Leaves and smaller twigs in constant motion. |
|
4 |
Moderate breeze |
13-17 |
5,5-7,9 |
Dust and loose paper raised. Small branches begin to move |
|
5 |
Fresh breeze |
18-24 |
8,0-10,7 |
Branches of a moderate size move. Small trees begin to sway |
|
6 |
Strong breeze |
25-30 |
10,8-13,8 |
Large branches in motion. Umbrella use becomes difficult. |
|
7 |
High wind |
31-38 |
13,9-17,1 |
Whole trees in motion. Effort needed to walk against the wind. |
|
8 |
Gale |
39-46 |
17,2-20,7 |
Some twigs broken from trees. Progress on foot is seriously impeded. |
|
9 |
Strong gale |
47-54 |
20,8-24,4 |
Some small trees blow over. Damage to circus tents and canopies. |
|
10 |
Storm |
55-63 |
24,5-28,4 |
Trees are broken off or uprooted, saplings bent and deformed. Large material damage. |
|
11 |
Violent storm |
64-72 |
28,5-32,6 |
Widespread damage to vegetation and housing. |
|
12 |
Hurricane |
73- |
32,6 |
Very widespread damage to vegetation. Mobile homes and sheds and barns are damaged. Debris may be hurled about. |
|
