Spatial variability of wind chill temperatures in China

An evaluation of spatial patterns of wind chill temperatures (WCT) for the period 1960-2004 for 180 stations in China was conducted using the new wind chill formula. Average percent of time with cold threats of cold and unpleasant (4 °C to-6 °C), very cold and very unpleasant (-7 °C to-17 °C), bitter cold and frostbite possible (-18 °C to-28 °C) and extremely cold and frostbite likely (-29 °C to-56 °C) for each station were calculated to assess the extreme wind chill patterns. Latitude, longitude and local topography are major factors shaping the spatial patterns. It is discovered that northeast China, due to latitudinal impact, had the lowest WCT, the highest variability and the greatest percent of time with threat of extreme cold and frostbite. Northwest China and the Qinghai-Tibetian Plateau, influenced by altitude and local terrain, were regions having the greatest effect of WCT. The Sichuan Basin, sheltered from the penetration of cold air mass, experienced higher WCT and minimum variability. Mild condition was observed in southern China, where cold and unpleasant conditions happened only after the passage of a cold front.