Why you’re feeling colder than the weather forecasts

Aussies may have been double checking the forecasts this week as their experiences in the elements didn’t match up with what their weather apps were telling them.

This morning in Sydney, the official temperature was sitting around 12C – but it felt more like 9C.

Down in Melbourne, where the mercury had only reached 2.5C by 9:30am, the “feels like” temperature was sitting at a freezing -1C.

The “feels like” mark has been prominent in weather reporting this Australian winter, which has been characterised by rain, wind and a bitter cold snaps.

Polar air from Antarctica has been fuelling the chilly conditions in south eastern areas this week coupled with a record high-pressure system over Tasmania, according to the ABC.

The Bureau of Meteorology’s test website features the feels like temperature in its live updates, taking into account how conditions can change how we experience weather.

It has also long been a feature of news bulletins and the Weatherzone website.

Sky News meteorologist Rob Sharpe said strong winds could make apparent temperatures feel “as low as 10 degrees colder” than official readings.

“When people are out in the elements it can feel a fair bit colder than what the thermometer can suggest,” he said.

“It’s often those windiest events that bring the lowest apparent temperatures.”

Melbourne’s apparent temperature hit a low of -2.4 today around 7am while winds of 11km/h blew through the city.

The reverse can also be true on humid days without wind, where it can feel hotter than the official temperature.

Feels like figures are also calculated on the assumption a person would be in the shade, Mr Sharpe said, meaning it can differ depending on an individual’s environment.

The Australian midday sun can increase apparent temperatures by up to 8C.

According to the BOM, wind can strip away a thin layer of warmer air surrounding your body that normally provides insulation from the cold.

More rain for east coast

Friday’s temperatures are predicted to be a “little milder” across the country, with the BOM expecting lows 1 or 2C higher than earlier in the week.

The highest rainfalls are predicted to hit the east coast of NSW, which could see 50mm fall from the Illawarra up to the Northern Rivers area in the back end of this week.

Sydney can expect shows with a top of 18C and low of 12C on Friday and Saturday, before falling to a range of 10C and 17C on Sunday.

Melbourne is predicted to stay cool with lows of 4C and highs of 12C tomorrow and Saturday before a colder morning of 1C reaches a higher 15C on Sunday.

In Brisbane, tops in the low 20s are predicted for the next three days, while Canberra will shiver with -1C mornings on Saturday and Sunday.