Perceived Temperature For Runners Version 2
This chart shows the perceived temperature while running based on a specific height, weight and pace. This calculator is based on my Running Heat Model.
Contents
1 Introduction
Normal heat indexes assume a person walking outdoors at 3 mph and generating 180 watts per square meter of skin. The original work states "higher levels of activity would increase the sensitivity to humidity… few people, however, sustain activity above the level considered here for long enough to reach a steady state". This is not very helpful to runners that are moving far quicker than 3 mph and generating a lot more heat.
2 Heat equivalent table
The table below shows the equivalent temperatures running at 11:98 min/mile for your height (174cm/70inches) and weight (82Kg/180lbs). You can create a customized version of this table by filling in the form below
0% | 10% | 20% | 30% | 40% | 50% | 60% | 70% | 80% | 90% | 100% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
50f/(10c) | 75.2f 24c 11w lost | 75.2f 24c 11w lost | 73.4f 23c 12w lost | 73.4f 23c 13w lost | 73.4f 23c 14w lost | 73.4f 23c 15w lost | 73.4f 23c 16w lost | 73.4f 23c 16w lost | 73.4f 23c 17w lost | 73.4f 23c 18w lost | 73.4f 23c 19w lost |
51f/(10.6c) | 76.2f 24.6c 0% max | 76.2f 24.6c 0% max | 76.2f 24.6c 0% max | 74.4f 23.6c 0% max | 74.4f 23.6c 0% max | 74.4f 23.6c 0% max | 74.4f 23.6c 0% max | 74.4f 23.6c 0% max | 74.4f 23.6c 1w lost | 74.4f 23.6c 2w lost | 74.4f 23.6c 3w lost |
52f/(11.1c) | 75.4f 24.1c 1% max | 75.4f 24.1c 1% max | 75.4f 24.1c 1% max | 75.4f 24.1c 1% max | 75.4f 24.1c 1% max | 75.4f 24.1c 1% max | 75.4f 24.1c 1% max | 75.4f 24.1c 1% max | 75.4f 24.1c 1% max | 75.4f 24.1c 1% max | 75.4f 24.1c 1% max |
53f/(11.7c) | 76.4f 24.7c 2% max | 76.4f 24.7c 3% max | 76.4f 24.7c 3% max | 76.4f 24.7c 3% max | 76.4f 24.7c 3% max | 76.4f 24.7c 3% max | 76.4f 24.7c 3% max | 76.4f 24.7c 3% max | 76.4f 24.7c 3% max | 78.2f 25.7c 3% max | 78.2f 25.7c 3% max |
54f/(12.2c) | 77.4f 25.2c 4% max | 77.4f 25.2c 4% max | 77.4f 25.2c 4% max | 77.4f 25.2c 4% max | 77.4f 25.2c 4% max | 77.4f 25.2c 4% max | 77.4f 25.2c 4% max | 79.2f 26.2c 4% max | 79.2f 26.2c 4% max | 79.2f 26.2c 4% max | 79.2f 26.2c 4% max |
55f/(12.8c) | 78.4f 25.8c 5% max | 78.4f 25.8c 5% max | 78.4f 25.8c 5% max | 78.4f 25.8c 5% max | 78.4f 25.8c 5% max | 78.4f 25.8c 5% max | 80.2f 26.8c 5% max | 80.2f 26.8c 5% max | 80.2f 26.8c 5% max | 80.2f 26.8c 6% max | 80.2f 26.8c 6% max |
56f/(13.3c) | 79.4f 26.3c 6% max | 79.4f 26.3c 6% max | 79.4f 26.3c 6% max | 79.4f 26.3c 6% max | 79.4f 26.3c 6% max | 79.4f 26.3c 6% max | 81.2f 27.3c 6% max | 81.2f 27.3c 7% max | 81.2f 27.3c 7% max | 81.2f 27.3c 7% max | 81.2f 27.3c 7% max |
57f/(13.9c) | 80.4f 26.9c 7% max | 80.4f 26.9c 7% max | 80.4f 26.9c 7% max | 80.4f 26.9c 7% max | 80.4f 26.9c 7% max | 80.4f 26.9c 7% max | 82.2f 27.9c 8% max | 82.2f 27.9c 8% max | 82.2f 27.9c 8% max | 82.2f 27.9c 9% max | 82.2f 27.9c 9% max |
58f/(14.4c) | 81.4f 27.4c 8% max | 81.4f 27.4c 8% max | 81.4f 27.4c 8% max | 81.4f 27.4c 8% max | 81.4f 27.4c 8% max | 81.4f 27.4c 9% max | 83.2f 28.4c 9% max | 83.2f 28.4c 9% max | 83.2f 28.4c 10% max | 83.2f 28.4c 10% max | 83.2f 28.4c 11% max |
59f/(15c) | 82.4f 28c 9% max | 82.4f 28c 9% max | 82.4f 28c 9% max | 82.4f 28c 9% max | 82.4f 28c 10% max | 82.4f 28c 10% max | 84.2f 29c 10% max | 84.2f 29c 11% max | 84.2f 29c 11% max | 84.2f 29c 12% max | 84.2f 29c 12% max |
60f/(15.6c) | 83.4f 28.6c 10% max | 83.4f 28.6c 10% max | 83.4f 28.6c 10% max | 83.4f 28.6c 11% max | 83.4f 28.6c 11% max | 83.4f 28.6c 11% max | 85.2f 29.6c 12% max | 85.2f 29.6c 12% max | 85.2f 29.6c 13% max | 85.2f 29.6c 13% max | 85.2f 29.6c 14% max |
61f/(16.1c) | 84.4f 29.1c 11% max | 84.4f 29.1c 11% max | 84.4f 29.1c 11% max | 84.4f 29.1c 12% max | 84.4f 29.1c 12% max | 84.4f 29.1c 13% max | 84.4f 29.1c 13% max | 84.4f 29.1c 14% max | 84.4f 29.1c 14% max | 84.4f 29.1c 15% max | 86.2f 30.1c 16% max |
62f/(16.7c) | 83.6f 28.7c 12% max | 85.4f 29.7c 12% max | 85.4f 29.7c 12% max | 85.4f 29.7c 13% max | 85.4f 29.7c 13% max | 85.4f 29.7c 14% max | 85.4f 29.7c 14% max | 85.4f 29.7c 15% max | 85.4f 29.7c 16% max | 87.2f 30.7c 17% max | 87.2f 30.7c 18% max |
63f/(17.2c) | 84.6f 29.2c 12% max | 84.6f 29.2c 13% max | 84.6f 29.2c 13% max | 84.6f 29.2c 14% max | 84.6f 29.2c 14% max | 84.6f 29.2c 15% max | 84.6f 29.2c 16% max | 86.4f 30.2c 17% max | 88.2f 31.2c 17% max | 88.2f 31.2c 18% max | 90f 32.2c 20% max |
64f/(17.8c) | 85.6f 29.8c 13% max | 85.6f 29.8c 14% max | 85.6f 29.8c 14% max | 85.6f 29.8c 15% max | 85.6f 29.8c 16% max | 85.6f 29.8c 16% max | 87.4f 30.8c 17% max | 89.2f 31.8c 18% max | 89.2f 31.8c 19% max | 91f 32.8c 20% max | 92.8f 33.8c 22% max |
65f/(18.3c) | 84.8f 29.3c 14% max | 84.8f 29.3c 15% max | 84.8f 29.3c 16% max | 86.6f 30.3c 16% max | 86.6f 30.3c 17% max | 88.4f 31.3c 18% max | 88.4f 31.3c 19% max | 90.2f 32.3c 20% max | 92f 33.3c 21% max | 93.8f 34.3c 22% max | 95.6f 35.3c 24% max |
66f/(18.9c) | 85.8f 29.9c 15% max | 85.8f 29.9c 16% max | 85.8f 29.9c 17% max | 87.6f 30.9c 17% max | 89.4f 31.9c 18% max | 89.4f 31.9c 19% max | 91.2f 32.9c 20% max | 93f 33.9c 21% max | 94.8f 34.9c 23% max | 96.6f 35.9c 24% max | 100.2f 37.9c 26% max |
67f/(19.4c) | 86.8f 30.4c 16% max | 86.8f 30.4c 17% max | 88.6f 31.4c 18% max | 88.6f 31.4c 19% max | 90.4f 32.4c 19% max | 92.2f 33.4c 20% max | 94f 34.4c 22% max | 95.8f 35.4c 23% max | 97.6f 36.4c 24% max | 99.4f 37.4c 26% max | 103f 39.4c 28% max |
68f/(20c) | 87.8f 31c 17% max | 87.8f 31c 18% max | 89.6f 32c 19% max | 91.4f 33c 20% max | 91.4f 33c 21% max | 93.2f 34c 22% max | 95f 35c 23% max | 98.6f 37c 25% max | 100.4f 38c 26% max | 104f 40c 28% max | 107.6f 42c 31% max |
69f/(20.6c) | 88.8f 31.6c 18% max | 88.8f 31.6c 19% max | 90.6f 32.6c 20% max | 92.4f 33.6c 21% max | 94.2f 34.6c 22% max | 96f 35.6c 23% max | 97.8f 36.6c 25% max | 99.6f 37.6c 26% max | 103.2f 39.6c 28% max | 106.8f 41.6c 31% max | 110.4f 43.6c 33% max |
70f/(21.1c) | 89.8f 32.1c 19% max | 91.6f 33.1c 20% max | 91.6f 33.1c 21% max | 93.4f 34.1c 22% max | 95.2f 35.1c 23% max | 97f 36.1c 25% max | 100.6f 38.1c 26% max | 102.4f 39.1c 28% max | 106f 41.1c 30% max | 109.6f 43.1c 33% max | 115f 46.1c 36% max |
71f/(21.7c) | 90.8f 32.7c 20% max | 92.6f 33.7c 21% max | 94.4f 34.7c 22% max | 96.2f 35.7c 23% max | 98f 36.7c 25% max | 99.8f 37.7c 26% max | 103.4f 39.7c 28% max | 105.2f 40.7c 30% max | 108.8f 42.7c 33% max | 114.2f 45.7c 35% max | 119.6f 48.7c 39% max |
72f/(22.2c) | 91.8f 33.2c 21% max | 93.6f 34.2c 22% max | 95.4f 35.2c 23% max | 97.2f 36.2c 24% max | 99f 37.2c 26% max | 102.6f 39.2c 28% max | 106.2f 41.2c 30% max | 108f 42.2c 32% max | 113.4f 45.2c 35% max | 117f 47.2c 38% max | 122.4f 50.2c 42% max |
73f/(22.8c) | 92.8f 33.8c 22% max | 94.6f 34.8c 23% max | 96.4f 35.8c 24% max | 100f 37.8c 26% max | 101.8f 38.8c 27% max | 105.4f 40.8c 29% max | 107.2f 41.8c 31% max | 112.6f 44.8c 34% max | 116.2f 46.8c 37% max | 121.6f 49.8c 41% max | 127f 52.8c 46% max |
74f/(23.3c) | 95.6f 35.3c 23% max | 97.4f 36.3c 24% max | 99.2f 37.3c 25% max | 101f 38.3c 27% max | 104.6f 40.3c 29% max | 106.4f 41.3c 31% max | 110f 43.3c 33% max | 115.4f 46.3c 36% max | 119f 48.3c 39% max | 124.4f 51.3c 44% max | 131.6f 55.3c 49% max |
75f/(23.9c) | 96.6f 35.9c 23% max | 98.4f 36.9c 25% max | 100.2f 37.9c 26% max | 102f 38.9c 28% max | 105.6f 40.9c 30% max | 109.2f 42.9c 32% max | 112.8f 44.9c 35% max | 118.2f 47.9c 38% max | 123.6f 50.9c 42% max | 129f 53.9c 47% max | 136.2f 57.9c 53% max |
76f/(24.4c) | 97.6f 36.4c 24% max | 99.4f 37.4c 26% max | 101.2f 38.4c 27% max | 104.8f 40.4c 29% max | 108.4f 42.4c 31% max | 112f 44.4c 34% max | 115.6f 46.4c 37% max | 121f 49.4c 40% max | 126.4f 52.4c 45% max | 131.8f 55.4c 50% max | 139f 59.4c 58% max |
77f/(25c) | 98.6f 37c 25% max | 100.4f 38c 27% max | 104f 40c 28% max | 105.8f 41c 30% max | 109.4f 43c 33% max | 114.8f 46c 35% max | 118.4f 48c 39% max | 123.8f 51c 43% max | 129.2f 54c 48% max | 136.4f 58c 54% max | 143.6f 62c 62% max |
78f/(25.6c) | 99.6f 37.6c 26% max | 103.2f 39.6c 28% max | 105f 40.6c 30% max | 108.6f 42.6c 32% max | 112.2f 44.6c 34% max | 115.8f 46.6c 37% max | 121.2f 49.6c 41% max | 126.6f 52.6c 45% max | 133.8f 56.6c 51% max | 139.2f 59.6c 58% max | 146.4f 63.6c 68% max |
79f/(26.1c) | 100.6f 38.1c 27% max | 104.2f 40.1c 29% max | 106f 41.1c 31% max | 109.6f 43.1c 33% max | 115f 46.1c 36% max | 118.6f 48.1c 39% max | 124f 51.1c 43% max | 129.4f 54.1c 48% max | 136.6f 58.1c 54% max | 142f 61.1c 62% max | 149.2f 65.1c 74% max |
80f/(26.7c) | 101.6f 38.7c 28% max | 105.2f 40.7c 30% max | 108.8f 42.7c 32% max | 112.4f 44.7c 34% max | 116f 46.7c 37% max | 121.4f 49.7c 41% max | 126.8f 52.7c 45% max | 132.2f 55.7c 51% max | 139.4f 59.7c 58% max | 146.6f 63.7c 67% max | 152f 66.7c 80% max |
81f/(27.2c) | 104.4f 40.2c 29% max | 106.2f 41.2c 30% max | 109.8f 43.2c 33% max | 113.4f 45.2c 35% max | 118.8f 48.2c 39% max | 124.2f 51.2c 43% max | 129.6f 54.2c 47% max | 135f 57.2c 53% max | 142.2f 61.2c 61% max | 149.4f 65.2c 72% max | 154.8f 68.2c 88% max |
82f/(27.8c) | 105.4f 40.8c 29% max | 107.2f 41.8c 31% max | 112.6f 44.8c 34% max | 116.2f 46.8c 37% max | 121.6f 49.8c 40% max | 125.2f 51.8c 44% max | 132.4f 55.8c 50% max | 137.8f 58.8c 56% max | 145f 62.8c 65% max | 152.2f 66.8c 78% max | 157.6f 69.8c 97% max |
83f/(28.3c) | 106.4f 41.3c 30% max | 110f 43.3c 32% max | 113.6f 45.3c 35% max | 117.2f 47.3c 38% max | 122.6f 50.3c 42% max | 128f 53.3c 46% max | 135.2f 57.3c 52% max | 140.6f 60.3c 60% max | 147.8f 64.3c 70% max | 155f 68.3c 84% max | Too Hot Terminal in ~7.3 hour |
84f/(28.9c) | 107.4f 41.9c 31% max | 111f 43.9c 33% max | 114.6f 45.9c 36% max | 120f 48.9c 39% max | 125.4f 51.9c 43% max | 130.8f 54.9c 48% max | 136.2f 57.9c 55% max | 143.4f 61.9c 63% max | 150.6f 65.9c 75% max | 156f 68.9c 92% max | Too Hot Terminal in ~2.8 hour |
85f/(29.4c) | 110.2f 43.4c 33% max | 115.6f 46.4c 36% max | 119.2f 48.4c 40% max | 124.6f 51.4c 44% max | 131.8f 55.4c 49% max | 139f 59.4c 56% max | 144.4f 62.4c 66% max | 151.6f 66.4c 79% max | 158.8f 70.4c 99% max | Too Hot Terminal in ~1.7 hour | Too Hot Terminal in ~49 min |
86f/(30c) | 111.2f 44c 33% max | 114.8f 46c 36% max | 120.2f 49c 40% max | 125.6f 52c 44% max | 132.8f 56c 50% max | 140f 60c 58% max | 145.4f 63c 68% max | 152.6f 67c 82% max | Too Hot Terminal in ~12.1 hour | Too Hot Terminal in ~1.4 hour | Too Hot Terminal in ~44 min |
87f/(30.6c) | 110.4f 43.6c 33% max | 115.8f 46.6c 36% max | 121.2f 49.6c 40% max | 126.6f 52.6c 45% max | 133.8f 56.6c 51% max | 141f 60.6c 59% max | 146.4f 63.6c 69% max | 153.6f 67.6c 84% max | Too Hot Terminal in ~5.2 hour | Too Hot Terminal in ~1.2 hour | Too Hot Terminal in ~39 min |
88f/(31.1c) | 111.4f 44.1c 33% max | 115f 46.1c 37% max | 120.4f 49.1c 41% max | 127.6f 53.1c 45% max | 134.8f 57.1c 52% max | 140.2f 60.1c 60% max | 147.4f 64.1c 71% max | 154.6f 68.1c 87% max | Too Hot Terminal in ~3.3 hour | Too Hot Terminal in ~1 hour | Too Hot Terminal in ~36 min |
89f/(31.7c) | 110.6f 43.7c 34% max | 116f 46.7c 37% max | 121.4f 49.7c 41% max | 128.6f 53.7c 46% max | 134f 56.7c 52% max | 141.2f 60.7c 61% max | 148.4f 64.7c 73% max | 155.6f 68.7c 90% max | Too Hot Terminal in ~2.4 hour | Too Hot Terminal in ~53 min | Too Hot Terminal in ~33 min |
90f/(32.2c) | 111.6f 44.2c 34% max | 117f 47.2c 37% max | 122.4f 50.2c 41% max | 127.8f 53.2c 46% max | 135f 57.2c 53% max | 142.2f 61.2c 62% max | 149.4f 65.2c 75% max | 156.6f 69.2c 94% max | Too Hot Terminal in ~1.8 hour | Too Hot Terminal in ~47 min | Too Hot Terminal in ~30 min |
91f/(32.8c) | 110.8f 43.8c 34% max | 116.2f 46.8c 37% max | 121.6f 49.8c 42% max | 128.8f 53.8c 47% max | 136f 57.8c 54% max | 143.2f 61.8c 63% max | 150.4f 65.8c 77% max | 157.6f 69.8c 97% max | Too Hot Terminal in ~1.5 hour | Too Hot Terminal in ~42 min | Too Hot Terminal in ~28 min |
92f/(33.3c) | 111.8f 44.3c 34% max | 117.2f 47.3c 37% max | 122.6f 50.3c 42% max | 129.8f 54.3c 47% max | 137f 58.3c 55% max | 144.2f 62.3c 64% max | 151.4f 66.3c 79% max | Too Hot Terminal in ~43.8 hour | Too Hot Terminal in ~1.3 hour | Too Hot Terminal in ~38 min | Too Hot Terminal in ~26 min |
93f/(33.9c) | 112.8f 44.9c 34% max | 116.4f 46.9c 38% max | 123.6f 50.9c 42% max | 130.8f 54.9c 48% max | 138f 58.9c 55% max | 145.2f 62.9c 66% max | 152.4f 66.9c 81% max | Too Hot Terminal in ~7.6 hour | Too Hot Terminal in ~1.1 hour | Too Hot Terminal in ~35 min | Too Hot Terminal in ~24 min |
94f/(34.4c) | 112f 44.4c 34% max | 117.4f 47.4c 38% max | 122.8f 50.4c 42% max | 130f 54.4c 48% max | 139f 59.4c 56% max | 146.2f 63.4c 67% max | 153.4f 67.4c 83% max | Too Hot Terminal in ~4.1 hour | Too Hot Terminal in ~56 min | Too Hot Terminal in ~32 min | Too Hot Terminal in ~22 min |
95f/(35c) | 113f 45c 34% max | 118.4f 48c 38% max | 123.8f 51c 43% max | 131f 55c 49% max | 138.2f 59c 57% max | 147.2f 64c 68% max | 154.4f 68c 86% max | Too Hot Terminal in ~2.8 hour | Too Hot Terminal in ~50 min | Too Hot Terminal in ~29 min | Too Hot Terminal in ~21 min |
96f/(35.6c) | 112.2f 44.6c 34% max | 117.6f 47.6c 38% max | 124.8f 51.6c 43% max | 132f 55.6c 49% max | 139.2f 59.6c 58% max | 148.2f 64.6c 70% max | 155.4f 68.6c 88% max | Too Hot Terminal in ~2.1 hour | Too Hot Terminal in ~44 min | Too Hot Terminal in ~27 min | Too Hot Terminal in ~19 min |
97f/(36.1c) | 113.2f 45.1c 34% max | 118.6f 48.1c 38% max | 124f 51.1c 43% max | 133f 56.1c 50% max | 140.2f 60.1c 59% max | 147.4f 64.1c 71% max | 156.4f 69.1c 91% max | Too Hot Terminal in ~1.7 hour | Too Hot Terminal in ~40 min | Too Hot Terminal in ~25 min | Too Hot Terminal in ~18 min |
98f/(36.7c) | 112.4f 44.7c 34% max | 117.8f 47.7c 38% max | 125f 51.7c 44% max | 132.2f 55.7c 50% max | 141.2f 60.7c 60% max | 148.4f 64.7c 73% max | 157.4f 69.7c 94% max | Too Hot Terminal in ~1.4 hour | Too Hot Terminal in ~36 min | Too Hot Terminal in ~23 min | Too Hot Terminal in ~17 min |
99f/(37.2c) | 113.4f 45.2c 34% max | 118.8f 48.2c 39% max | 126f 52.2c 44% max | 133.2f 56.2c 51% max | 142.2f 61.2c 60% max | 149.4f 65.2c 74% max | 158.4f 70.2c 97% max | Too Hot Terminal in ~1.2 hour | Too Hot Terminal in ~33 min | Too Hot Terminal in ~22 min | Too Hot Terminal in ~16 min |
100f/(37.8c) | 112.6f 44.8c 35% max | 118f 47.8c 39% max | 125.2f 51.8c 44% max | 134.2f 56.8c 51% max | 141.4f 60.8c 61% max | 150.4f 65.8c 76% max | 159.4f 70.8c 100% max | Too Hot Terminal in ~1 hour | Too Hot Terminal in ~30 min | Too Hot Terminal in ~20 min | Too Hot Terminal in ~15 min |
3 Notes
- For conditions where sweating is required to keep cool, temperatures shown are how hot it would have to be for you to sweat the same amount when walking.
- The 'x% max' is showing what percentage of your maximum sweat evaporation is required to avoid heat build up.
- For conditions that are cool enough that sweating is required, temperatures shown are that have the same heat loss when walking.
- The 'x Watts' show the estimated heat loss.
- Walking temperatures assume 30% humidity.
- The entries 'Too Hot' indicate that not enough sweat will evaporate to keep your internal temperature stable.
- When the conditions are too hot, the approximate time for your core temperature to rise to a critical point is given as 'Terminal in x'.
- This utility can also display sodium losses. The sweat rate shown is based on the assumption that all sweat evaporates; if sweat is dripping off you then your actual sodium losses may be far higher. For more details see Hydration 101.
4 Input Form
5 Impact of Humidity
The graph below shows how core temperature (of walkers) on the Y-axis rises with humidity on the X-axis for different air temperatures (lines). You'll notice that at 24f/75f there is no impact of humidity on core temperature. For temperatures between 33c/92f and 45c/113f, the humidity does not change core temperature until a critical point is reached and then there is a dramatic rise. By 50c/122f, even changes in very low humidity make a big impact on core temperature. It seems reasonable that a similar response would be seen in runners, but at lower temperatures.
6 Dew Point
Runners World suggested that dew point could be used in isolation, and published the simple table shown below. This seems an overly simplistic and flawed approach. For instance, at 3:51 pm 23 Jul, Phoenix, AZ was 105f with a dew point of 55f, which the table below would say is at the low end of "Comfortable, Hard efforts likely not affected". I believe that 105f, even with low humidity would not be comfortable and it would impact my performance.
DEW POINT (°F) | RUNNER\'S PERCEPTION | HOW TO HANDLE |
50–54 | Very comfortable | PR conditions |
55–59 | Comfortable | Hard efforts likely not affected |
60–64 | Uncomfortable for some people | Expect race times to be slower than in optimal conditions |
65–69 | Uncomfortable for most people | Easy training runs might feel OK but difficult to race well or do hard efforts |
70–74 | Very humid and uncomfortable | Expect pace to suffer greatly |
75 or greater | Extremely oppressive | Skip it or dramatically alter goal |
7 Other Sports
This page is focused on runners, but may apply to some other sports such as soccer. It would not apply to cycling or similar sports where there is more air movement.