Wind Chill

This part of the FAQ will explore a phenomenon that affects everyone regardless of their genetic makeup. This affect is called wind chill. Many people have heard of wind chill before. It is often used casually to embellish how cold it is outside. Statements like, “it’s about 10° outside, but it’s closer to -20° with the added wind chill.” But how does someone figure out how cold it is when it’s windy? Does wind chill change the air temperature? The National Weather Service states that wind chill refers to how fast your body will lose heat at a given temperature and wind speed. More importantly, it predicts how fast frostbite will occur in those conditions. When thought of in this sense, wind chill becomes a valuable tool. The actual formula for wind chill is still quite complex and requires knowledge in physics. However, Adam Keeton, NEED CITATION HERE, developed a good rule of thumb. His Formula is “wind chill temperature = outside temperature – 1.5* wind speed in mph.” This will give you a rough estimate of the climate and let you schedule your excursions and activities accordingly. While wind chill might not be an important factor if you are hiking in the woods, if you are skiing or snowmobiling wind chill can be quite sever and may lead to frostbite.

Thicker Blood

Alaskans seem to handle the cold much better than visitors. Many attribute this to their “thicker blood.” But have their bodies actually changed or are they just numb? According to Dennis O’ Neil, of Palomar College, the human body does change.

Dennis states that the human body has three basic responses when adapting to cold climates:

1. Increased Metabolism

2. Fat Gain Around the Organs

3. Changes in Blood Circulation

This means that you will be eating more and will probably gain some weight. These natural responses better prepare you for your surroundings.

Some people can move up North and not gain a pound or never seem to get cold. Could they be genetically predisposed to life in the North? Yes they can, O’Neil stated. Alaska Natives have genetics to thank for their comfort in the cold weather. Their bodies evolved with shorter limbs and stockier frames to better handle the frozen terrain. On average, as people get farther from the equator, body mass increases to generate heat and their limbs shorten to prevent heat loss. This represents Bergmann’s rule and Allen’s rule, which shows the adaptations by their bodies to cope with the colder climate.

Introduction

Alaska has a mystique. It’s a land of extremes. In the summer, there is sunshine all day and in the winter it’s almost always night. The temperatures range from a frigid -50° to a sweltering 90°. The terrain stretches from the frost peaked mountain ranges to miles of flat tundra. Alaskans have a similar aura surrounding them as well. After all, they must be incredibly resilient to flourish here. Can anyone thrive in such a varied environment? Are there any natural hazards to watch out for? Are tourists really coming here to conceive children under the Northern lights? What is wind chill and how can you measure it? Can residents really hear the Northern Lights? This guide will sift out fact from folklore.