apparent temperature: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Technical/LowTechnical, Scientific, Weather Reporting
Quick answer
What does “apparent temperature” mean?
A measure of how hot or cold the air feels to the human body, combining actual air temperature with the effects of other atmospheric conditions, primarily humidity and wind.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A measure of how hot or cold the air feels to the human body, combining actual air temperature with the effects of other atmospheric conditions, primarily humidity and wind.
In meteorology and environmental science, it can also refer to the perceived temperature index derived from models like the heat index (for heat stress) or wind chill factor (for cold stress), which quantify the body's physiological response to combined weather elements.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or semantic difference. Both regions use the same term for the same meteorological concept. The formulas (e.g., for wind chill) may have slight regional variations in calculation.
Connotations
Neutral and technical in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both regions, used primarily in specialised weather forecasts, environmental advisories, and scientific discussions.
Grammar
How to Use “apparent temperature” in a Sentence
The apparent temperature in [PLACE] is [NUMBER] degrees.[CONDITION] increases/decreases the apparent temperature.The apparent temperature, which accounts for [FACTOR], feels like [NUMBER].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “apparent temperature” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [Not applicable; the term is a compound noun.]
American English
- [Not applicable; the term is a compound noun.]
adverb
British English
- [Not applicable.]
American English
- [Not applicable.]
adjective
British English
- [Not applicable as a standalone adjective. Used attributively in noun phrases: 'apparent-temperature values'.]
American English
- [Not applicable as a standalone adjective. Used attributively in noun phrases: 'apparent-temperature chart'.]
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in industries like tourism, event planning, or agriculture, where worker safety or customer comfort depends on perceived conditions. Example: 'The project's outdoor schedule must account for high apparent temperatures.'
Academic
Common in meteorology, climatology, environmental science, and human physiology papers discussing thermal comfort and public health.
Everyday
Occasional in weather forecasts, especially during extreme heat or cold. Often paraphrased as 'feels like'.
Technical
The primary context. Used precisely with specific indices (e.g., 'the apparent temperature using the Steadman model reached 42°C').
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “apparent temperature”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “apparent temperature”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “apparent temperature”
- Using 'apparent temperature' to mean 'the temperature that is obvious'.
- Confusing it with 'dew point'.
- Saying 'apparent temperature' when referring only to humidity's effect (specifically 'heat index') or only to wind's effect ('wind chill').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in everyday weather forecasts, 'feels like', 'real-feel', and 'apparent temperature' are used interchangeably to describe the perceived temperature index.
High humidity reduces the evaporation rate of sweat from the skin, which is the body's primary cooling mechanism. This impaired cooling makes the environment feel hotter than the dry-bulb temperature indicates.
Yes, this commonly occurs on cold, windy days due to the wind chill effect, where wind accelerates heat loss from the body, making it feel colder than the still-air temperature.
It is a standardized calculated index, not a direct measurement like air pressure. Different countries may use slightly different formulas (e.g., the Australian Apparent Temperature vs. the US Heat Index), but it is a recognized and important tool for public health warnings.
A measure of how hot or cold the air feels to the human body, combining actual air temperature with the effects of other atmospheric conditions, primarily humidity and wind.
Apparent temperature is usually technical, scientific, weather reporting in register.
Apparent temperature: in British English it is pronounced /əˌpær.ənt ˈtem.prə.tʃər/, and in American English it is pronounced /əˌpær.ənt ˈtem.prə.tʃɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No specific idioms for this technical term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: APPARENT = APPEARS. APPARENT TEMPERATURE is the temperature as it APPEARS to your skin, not as it reads on a simple thermometer.
Conceptual Metaphor
TEMPERATURE IS A SENSATION (not just a number). The body is a sensor that integrates multiple inputs.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary factor, besides air temperature, that increases the apparent temperature on a hot day?