Our inside car temperature calculator is designed to estimate the temperature inside a parked vehicle based on external conditions and helps raise awareness about the potential dangers of leaving children, pets, or heat-sensitive items in cars, especially during warm weather.
On a sunny 80°F (27°C) day, the calculator might predict that the interior of a closed car could reach a scorching 123°F (51°C) within an hour.
Inside Car Temperature Calculator
| Outside Temp (°F) | Time Elapsed | Inside Temp (°F) | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| 70 | 10 minutes | 89 | +19 |
| 70 | 30 minutes | 104 | +34 |
| 80 | 10 minutes | 99 | +19 |
| 80 | 30 minutes | 114 | +34 |
| 90 | 10 minutes | 109 | +19 |
| 90 | 30 minutes | 124 | +34 |
| 100 | 10 minutes | 119 | +19 |
| 100 | 30 minutes | 134 | +34 |
Inside Car Temperature Formula
The formula used to calculate the temperature inside a car is based on scientific research:
T_inside = T_ambient + (T_max - T_ambient) * (1 - e^(-k * t))Where:
- T_inside = Temperature inside the car
- T_ambient = Ambient (outside) temperature
- T_max = Maximum possible temperature increase
- k = Heat absorption rate (depends on car color, size, etc.)
- t = Time elapsed
- e = Mathematical constant (approximately 2.71828)
This formula demonstrates that the temperature rise follows an exponential curve, with the most rapid increase occurring in the initial stages.
Using this equation, we might find that a car’s interior temperature could jump from 70°F to 100°F in just 20 minutes on a hot day.
What is the temperature inside a car?
Interior temperatures can swiftly surpass outside temperatures, often by 20-30°F (11-17°C) or more within minutes.
If the outside temperature is 85°F (29°C), the inside of a car might reach:
- 100°F (38°C) after 10 minutes
- 110°F (43°C) after 20 minutes
- 120°F (49°C) after 30 minutes
How hot does the inside of a car get?
On a sunny day, temperatures can soar to life-threatening levels within an hour, regardless of whether windows are cracked open.
Consider this scenario:
- Outside temperature: 90°F (32°C)
- After 10 minutes: 109°F (43°C)
- After 30 minutes: 124°F (51°C)
- After 60 minutes: 133°F (56°C)
These extreme temperatures can cause heat stroke, organ damage, and even death in humans and animals. The greenhouse effect created by a car’s windows amplifies solar radiation, trapping heat and creating a potentially lethal environment.
What is the temperature inside a car on a 100-degree day?
- After 10 minutes: 119°F (48°C)
- After 20 minutes: 129°F (54°C)
- After 30 minutes: 138°F (59°C)
- After 60 minutes: 145°F (63°C)
On a 100°F (38°C) day, the temperature inside a car can quickly become life-threatening.
At these temperatures, the human body struggles to maintain its core temperature, leading to rapid onset of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
For children and pets, whose bodies heat up 3-5 times faster than adults, the danger is even more acute.
How hot is the inside of a car when it’s 72 degrees outside?
- After 10 minutes: 89°F (32°C)
- After 20 minutes: 97°F (36°C)
- After 30 minutes: 104°F (40°C)
- After 60 minutes: 113°F (45°C)
Even on a seemingly mild 72°F (22°C) day, the inside of a car can become uncomfortably warm and potentially dangerous.
Sources / References:
- American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) – https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/on-the-go/Pages/Prevent-Child-Deaths-in-Hot-Cars.aspx
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