Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Went for a long walk today, temperature was close to -6C / 21F, and I had my winter coat on. Didn't put a hat or gloves on though, felt a tad uncomfortable at first but I quickly became used to the cold temperatures and I was totally comfortable after a few minutes. I started sweating after an hour as I was walking up a lot of hills, and was tempted to take the coat off. This was in freezing fog.
For what it's worth, assuming dry and calm weather, I don't wear my parka until it's colder than 0F or so.
What do you guys mean by 'parka'? Is that a northern use of the term? For us down here it means a rain jacket - basically a plastic sheet you drape on yourself so you don't get wet.
What do you guys mean by 'parka'? Is that a northern use of the term? For us down here it means a rain jacket - basically a plastic sheet you drape on yourself so you don't get wet.
Northern use? I have relatives in the South (though not your part of the South) and I've never heard that use of the phrase. The southern use is non-standard, though there is a type of parka once used in the US Army that was more of a rain jacket. When I say "parka", I mean a coat similar to this or this. This conforms to the Air Force's parkas, and is the most common use of the term. I also believe I can speak for the other guys in this matter.
As a matter of fact the parka that I use* is a very similar design to the N3B parka developed by the Air Force after World War II and used by many civilians up to the present day.
*I actually have three of them, but they're all the same design, differing only in color and age.
Honestly for me it depends how long will I be outside. If its just from my suv to inside it can be below 0 and I don't see a point of putting on a coat then taking it off as it would take longer to put it on outside then just walk inside. However if I am at a football game then I will have a coat on if its in the 40's.
As I expected, 30-39F carries the plurality, but I'm surprised how many people bring out the heavy coats when it's above 40F. It strikes me as quite wimpy, but I guess the wimps vote too . 23-30F comes in at number three.
By the way, option A is not entirely a joke. When I went to Egypt about five years ago, it was December and the temperature was around 19C/66F or so, sunny with a light breeze, and quite a few locals were wearing what I would wear in London in January or February during cold spells. Same thing when I went to Hong Kong, a couple of years back, it was January, it was only a little cooler, around the upper teens Celsius/mid 60s Fahrenheit, and many, if not most people, were wrapped up in coats and scarves.
By winter coat, I mean a real heavy winter coat that zips or buttons up, not just a cardigan/sweater/jumper.
a) as soon as the temperature falls below 20C/68F
b) 15C-19C/ 59F-66F
c) 10C-14C/ 50F -57F
d) 5C-9C/ 41F-48F
e) 0C-4C/ 32-39F
f) -5C to -1C/ 23F to 30F
g) -10 to -6C/14F to 21F
h) below -10C/ 14F
Just thought I'd clarify this:
For this question, assume that:
- conditions are calm, with very little or no wind, therefore minimal "wind chill".
- you are staying outdoors for at least 30 minutes or more,
-for that duration of time, you feel reasonably comfortable, meaning you are not shivering nor sweating
- you are just walking or going out on a light stroll (like window shopping etc..), no running, jogging or any other strenuous exercise
I don't wear my winter coat anymore. Just a regular coat with a sweatshirt or sweater. Based on the coat alone, I guess I just start wearing it when temperatures are in the c or d range.
- conditions are calm, with very little or no wind, therefore minimal "wind chill".
- you are staying outdoors for at least 30 minutes or more,
-for that duration of time, you feel reasonably comfortable, meaning you are not shivering nor sweating
- you are just walking or going out on a light stroll (like window shopping etc..), no running, jogging or any other strenuous exercise
I didn't have >30 minute excursions in mind when I answered the question, but my answers remain the same under those conditions.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Superluminal
By the way, option A is not entirely a joke.
Some tropical denizens do wear coats when it's around 20C, though even for them it seems ridiculous.
I chose D but I'm sure I wore a winter jacket last June when it was cold, maybe 12 or 13 C ? That was an unusual cold spell though
Do you think the definition of "winter coat" is the same for the UK and northern US? I didn't see people real bundled up like here when I was in the UK.
I start wearing layers at temperatures below 10c. I bring out my heaviest coat when the temperature falls below freezing. I might need it the next few days. Bring on the snow!
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
. 23-30F comes in at number three.
