Feels Like

 Labor Day week-end and the weather is grand. Started using the Feels Like feature

on the Microsoft Weather Map and  - now that I know what this metric means - I am

very cheered by it.

                                                                          

Moscow Feels Like...late afernoon

Copilot:

Moscow; why is St-Basil's so colorful. Seems very different from other churches...

It is wildly different, isn’t it? St. Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow is like a burst of fireworks frozen in architecture—those swirling candy-colored onion domes and vivid patterns are unlike anything else in the Orthodox world.

🎨 Why so colorful?

Symbolism of Heaven: The bright hues reflect medieval Russian interpretations of heaven, inspired by descriptions in the Book of Revelation. The idea was to evoke divine beauty on Earth.

Evolution Over Time: Originally, the cathedral was more subdued—mostly white, red, and gold. The kaleidoscope of colors we see today was added gradually between the late 1600s and mid-1800s.

Architectural Fusion: It’s a blend of Russian, Byzantine, and even Asian influences. The domes were designed to resemble flames rising into the sky, symbolizing spiritual ascent.

Political Statement: Commissioned by Ivan the Terrible in the 16th century to commemorate his victory over the Mongols, the cathedral was meant to be a bold, unforgettable symbol of Russian might.

🧠 Fun twist: Legend has it Ivan had the architects blinded so they could never replicate its beauty elsewhere. Chilling, if true.

I've also pulled up some stunning images of St. Basil’s so you can see the full spectacle—those domes are even more mesmerizing up close.

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What is the Feels Like feature on weather apps and how is this calculated?

Great question, Louise! The "Feels Like" temperature on weather apps is designed to give you a more intuitive sense of how the weather will actually feel on your skin—not just what the thermometer says.

🌡️ What is it? "Feels Like" (also called apparent temperature) is a calculated value that accounts for more than just air temperature. It blends several environmental factors to reflect how your body perceives the weather.

🧮 How is it calculated? Depending on the conditions, meteorologists use different formulas:

In cold weather: The Wind Chill Index is used. Wind removes heat from your body, making it feel colder than the actual temperature.

Example: If it’s 0°C with strong winds, it might feel like –10°C.

In hot weather: The Heat Index comes into play. High humidity slows down your body’s ability to cool itself through sweat evaporation, making it feel hotter.

Example: If it’s 30°C with 80% humidity, it could feel like 38°C.

Other factors: Some advanced models also include:

Solar radiation (sunshine intensity)

Cloud cover

Altitude

Clothing assumptions (in some sport-specific apps)

📱 Why it matters It helps you dress appropriately, plan outdoor activities, and avoid heat stress or frostbite. Apps like Windy or Apple Weather use data from sources like The Weather Channel and apply these formulas to give you a more human-centric forecast.

Want to know how it’s calculated for a specific app you use? I can dig into that too.

I am on the Microsoft Weather App...

Thanks for the heads-up, Louise! The Microsoft Weather App uses the “Feels Like” temperature to give you a more realistic sense of how the weather will affect your body—not just what the thermometer says.

🌬️ How it’s calculated in Microsoft Weather While Microsoft doesn’t publicly share the exact formula, it’s based on standard meteorological models that factor in:

Wind Chill (in cold conditions): Wind strips away body heat, making it feel colder.

Heat Index (in warm conditions): High humidity slows sweat evaporation, making it feel hotter.

Humidity + Wind + Solar Radiation: These are blended to reflect how your skin actually perceives the temperature.

Apps like Microsoft Weather typically use data from trusted sources like Foreca or National Weather Services, and apply these formulas to give you a more human-centric forecast.

🧥 So when you see “Feels Like” 28°C instead of 25°C, it’s telling you: “Hey, dress for the heat you’ll feel, not just the number on the screen.”

If you want, I can walk you through how to interpret other features in the app—like UV index, air quality, or radar maps.

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At 10 AM Montreal time in Summer, it is 5:00 PM in Moscow. In winter, it would be 6:00 PM.