CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - A Wind Advisory is in effect until 1 a.m. Friday for gusts up to 50 MPH. The wind chill is a very similar concept to the heat index combining the actual air temperature along with other environmental factors. During this past week, wind chill has brought feels-like temperatures into the low teens and high single digits. This not only makes it feel much colder, but high winds also have the possibility of damaging your property. Safety tips ahead of extreme cold weather in western Massachusetts 22News Storm Team Meteorologist Chris Bouzakis explains why wind makes us feel so much colder. "The reason I just feel so cold is because the wind wipes your body heat off of you and makes your skin feel a lot colder than it. It lowers your body temperature." Current Feels Like Temperatures The best way to protect yourself from the harsher elements is by covering as much exposed skin as possible and limiting your time outdoors. Wind chill also impacts your pets, who can get frostbite and hypothermia just as easily as we can. Current Wind Gusts Local News Headlines Northampton considers fossil fuel ban for new buildings AIC nears ‘Hispanic Serving Institution’ status Experts warn of dangers skating on frozen ponds Shelter arrest raises concerns statewide WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.