HUMIDITY

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Humidity is the amount of water vapor in the air. In daily language the term "humidity" is normally taken to mean relative
humidity. Relative humidity is defined as the ratio of the partial pressure of water vapor in a parcel of air to the saturated vapor
pressure of water vapor at a prescribed temperature. Humidity may also be expressed as absolute humidity and specific
humidity. Relative humidity is an important metric used in forecasting weather. Humidity indicates the likelihood of precipitation,
dew, or fog. High humidity makes people feel hotter outside in the summer because it reduces the effectiveness of sweating to
cool the body by preventing the evaporation of perspiration from the skin. This effect is calculated in a heat index table.

Absolute humidity is the quantity of water in a particular volume of air. The most common units are grams per cubic meter,
although any mass unit and any volume unit could be used. Pounds per cubic foot is common in the U.S., and occasionally
even other units mixing the English and metric systems are used.

If all the water in one cubic meter of air were condensed into a container, the container could be weighed to determine absolute
humidity. The amount of vapor in that cube of air is the absolute humidity of that cubic meter of air. More technically: the mass
of water vapor mw, per cubic meter of air, Va .

Absolute humidity ranges from 0 gram per cubic meter in dry air to 30 grams per cubic meter (0.03 ounce per cubic foot) when
the vapour is saturated at 30 °C.[1] (See also Absolute Humidity table)

The absolute humidity changes as air pressure changes. This is very inconvenient for chemical engineering calculations, e.g.
for dryers, where temperature can vary considerably. As a result, absolute humidity is generally defined in chemical engineering
as mass of water vapor per unit mass of dry air, also known as the mass mixing ratio (see below), which is much more rigorous
for heat and mass balance calculations. Mass of water per unit volume as in the equation above would then be defined as
volumetric humidity. Because of the potential confusion, British Standard BS 1339 (revised 2002) suggests avoiding the term
"absolute humidity". Units should always be carefully checked. Most humidity charts are given in g/kg or kg/kg, but any mass
units may be used.

[edit] Mixing ratio or humidity ratio

Mixing or humidity ratio is expressed as a ratio of kilograms of water vapor, mw, per kilogram of dry air, md, at a given pressure.
The colloquial term Moisture Content is also used instead of Mixing/Humidity Ratio. Humidity Ratio is a standard axis on
psychrometric charts, and is a useful parameter in psychrometrics calculations because it does not change with temperature
except when the air cools below dewpoint

That ratio can be given as:

Partial pressure of water vapor and air can also be used to express the ratio.

[edit] Relative humidity

Main article: Relative humidity

Relative humidity is defined as the ratio of the partial pressure of water vapor in a gaseous mixture of air and water vapor to the
saturated vapor pressure of water at a given temperature. Relative humidity is expressed as a percentage and is calculated in
the following manner:

where

is the partial pressure of water vapor in the gas mixture;

is the saturation vapor pressure of water at the temperature of the gas mixture; and
is the relative humidity of the gas mixture being considered.
Relative humidity is often mentioned in weather forecasts and reports, as it is an indicator of the likelihood of precipitation, dew,
or fog. In hot summer weather, it also increases the apparent temperature to humans (and other animals) by hindering the
evaporation of perspiration from the skin as the relative humidity rises.

[edit] Specific humidity

Specific humidity is the ratio of water vapor to air (including water vapor and dry air) in a particular volume. Specific humidity
ratio is expressed as a ratio of kilograms of water vapor, mw, per kilogram of mixture, mt .

That ratio can be showed as:

Specific humidity is related to mixing ratio (and vice versa) by:

[edit] Humidity during rain

Humidity is a measure of the amount of water vapor dissolved in the air, not including any liquid water or ice falling through the
air. For clouds to form, and rain to start, the air does have to reach 100% relative humidity, but only where the clouds are
forming or where the rain is falling from. This normally happens when the air rises and cools. Typically, rain falls into air with
less than saturated humidity. Some water from the rain may evaporate into the air as it falls, increasing the humidity, but not
necessarily enough to raise the humidity to 100%. It is even possible for rain falling through warm, humid air to be cold enough
to lower the air temperature to the dew point, thus condensing water vapor out of the air. Although that would indeed raise the
relative humidity to 100%, the water lost from the air (as dew) would also lower the absolute humidity.

[edit] Dew point and frost point

Associated with relative humidity is dew point (If the dew point is below freezing, it is referred to as the frost point). Dew point is
the temperature at which water vapor saturates from an air mass into liquid or solid usually forming rain, snow, frost, or dew.
Dew point normally occurs when a mass of air has a relative humidity of 100%. This happens in the atmosphere as a result of
cooling through a number of different processes.

A hygrometer is a device used for measuring the humidity of the air

There are various devices used to measure and regulate humidity. A device used to measure humidity is called a psychrometer
or hygrometer. A humidistat is used to regulate the humidity of a building with a de-humidifier. These can be analogous to a
thermometer and thermostat for temperature control.

Humidity is also measured on a global scale using remotely placed satellites. These satellites are able to detect the
concentration of water in the troposphere at altitudes between 4 and 12 kilometers. Satellites that can measure water vapor
have sensors that are sensitive to infrared radiation. Water vapor specifically absorbs and re-radiates radiation in this spectral
band. Satellite water vapor imagery plays an important role in monitoring climate conditions (like the formation of
thunderstorms) and in the development of future weather forecasts.

[edit] Humidity and air density

Humid air is less dense than dry air because a molecule of water weighs less than molecules of nitrogen and oxygen. Isaac
Newton discovered this phenomenon and wrote about it in his book Opticks.[1] Avogadro's ideal gas law states that a fixed
volume of gas at a given temperature and pressure always contains the same number of molecules regardless of what type of
gas it is. Consider a cubic meter of dry air. About 78% of the molecules are nitrogen (N 2), with a molecular weight of 28.
Another 21% of the molecules are oxygen (O2), with a molecular weight of 32. The final 1% is a mixture of other gases.
Combining these weights in the correct proportions gives an average molecular weight for air of about 29. If molecules of water
vapor (H2O), of molecular weight 18, replace the diatomic nitrogen or oxygen molecules in this fixed volume then the weight of
the air decreases, and hence the density decreases. Thus, humid air has a lower density than dry air at a specified temperature
and pressure.

[edit] Effects on human body

The human body sheds heat by a combination of evaporation of perspiration, heat convection in the surrounding air, and
thermal radiation. Under conditions of high humidity, the evaporation of sweat from the skin is decreased and the body's efforts
to maintain an acceptable body temperature may be significantly impaired. Also, if the atmosphere is as warm as or warmer
than the skin during times of high humidity, blood brought to the body surface cannot shed heat by conduction to the air, and a
condition called hyperpyrexia results. With so much blood going to the external surface of the body, relatively less goes to the
active muscles, the brain, and other internal organs. Physical strength declines and fatigue occurs sooner than it would
otherwise. Alertness and mental capacity also may be affected. This resulting condition is called heat stroke or hyperthermia.

[edit] Recommendations for comfort

Humans control their body temperature by sweating and shivering. The United States Environmental Protection Agency cites
the ASHRAE Standard 55-1992 Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy, which recommends keeping relative
humidity between 30% and 60%, with below 50% preferred to control dust mites. At high humidity sweating is less effective so
we feel hotter; thus the desire to remove humidity from air with air conditioning in the summer. In the winter, heating cold
outdoor air can decrease indoor relative humidity levels to below 30%, leading to discomfort such as dry skin and excessive
thirst.

[edit] Effects on electronics

Many electronic devices have humidity specifications, for example, 5 to 95%. At the top end of the range, moisture may
increase the conductivity of permeable insulators leading to malfunction. Too low humidity may make materials brittle. A
particular danger to electronic items, regardless of the stated operating humidity range, is condensation. When an electronic
item is moved from a cold place (eg garage, car, shed) to a warm humid place (house), condensation may coat circuit boards
and other insulators, leading to short circuit inside the equipment. Such short circuits may cause substantial permanent damage
if the equipment is powered on before the condensation has evaporated. A similar condensation effect can often be observed
when a person wearing glasses comes in from the cold. It is advisable to allow electronic equipment to acclimatise for several
hours, after being brought in from the cold, before powering on. The inverse is also true.

Excessively high humidity causes corrosion in electronics. Low humidity favors buildup of static electricity, which may result in
spontaneous shutdown of servers in data centres. Apart from spurious erratic function, electrostatic discharges can cause
dielectric breakdown in solid state devices, resulting in irreversible damage. Therefore humidity is an important measure in the
control of electronic production or data centre facilities.

[edit] Most humid places on Earth

See also: Humid subtropical climate and Humid continental climate

The most humid cities on earth are generally located closer to the equator, near coastal regions. Cities in South and Southeast
Asia seem to be among the most humid. Kolkata, India; Kerala, India; and Bangkok, Thailand experience extreme humidity
during their rainy seasons combined with warmth giving the feel of a lukewarm Sauna. [2] Darwin, Australia experiences an
extremely humid wet season from December to April. Kuala Lumpur and Singapore have very high humidity all year round
because of their proximity to water bodies and the Equator and overcast weather; despite sunshine, perfectly clear days are
rare in these locations and it is often misty. In cooler places such as Northern Tasmania, Australia, high humidity is experienced
all year due to the ocean between mainland Australia and Tasmania. In the summer the hot dry air is absorbed by this ocean
and the temperature rarely climbs above 30 degrees Celsius.

In the United States the most humid cities, strictly in terms of relative humidity, are Forks and Olympia, Washington.[3] This fact
may come as a surprise to many, as the climate in this region rarely exhibits the discomfort usually associated with high
humidity. Dew points are typically much lower on the West Coast than on the East. Because high dew points play a more
significant role than relative humidity in the discomfort created during humid days, the air in these western cities usually does
not feel "humid."

The highest dew points are found in coastal Florida and Texas. When comparing Key West and Houston, two of the most
humid cities from those states, coastal Florida seems to have the higher dew points on average. But, as noted by Jack Williams
of USA Today,[4] Houston lacks the coastal breeze present in Key West.

Relative humidity

A hygrometer used to measure the humidity of air.

Relative humidity is a term used to describe the amount of water vapor that exists in a gaseous mixture of air and water.

[edit] Definition

The relative humidity of an air-water mixture is defined as the ratio of the partial pressure of water vapor in the mixture to the
saturated vapor pressure of water at a prescribed temperature. Relative humidity is normally expressed as a percentage and is
defined in the following manner:

where: is the relative humidity of the mixture being considered; is the partial pressure of water vapor in the mixture; and is the
saturated vapor pressure of water at the temperature of the mixture.

[edit] Estimating Relative Humidity

The relative humidity of an air-water mixture can be estimated if both the temperature (T) and the dew point temperature (Td) of
the mixture are known. When both T and Td are expressed in degrees celsius then [1]:

where the partial pressure of water vapor in the mixture is estimated by ep :and the saturated vapor pressure of water at the
temperature of the mixture is estimated by es :
In practice both T and Td are readily estimated by using a sling psychrometer and the relative humidity of the atmosphere can
be calculated

[edit] A Common Misconception

Often the notion of air holding water vapor is used to describe the concept of relative humidity. Relative humidity is wholly
understood in terms of the physical properties of water alone and therefore is unrelated to this concept. [1] [2]. This is reflected
in the definition of relative humidity; only the physical properties of water are considered when determining the relative humidity
of an air water mixture. Air simply acts as a transporter of water vapour not a holder of it. In fact, water vapor can be present in
an airless volume and therefore the relative humidity of this volume can be readily calculated.

The misconception that air holds water is likely the result of the use of the word saturation which is often misused in
descriptions of relative humidity. In the present context the word saturation refers to the state of water vapor [3], not the
solubility of one material in another.

The thermophysical properties of water-air mixtures encountered at atmospheric conditions are reasonably approximated by
assuming they behave as a mixture of ideal gases.[4]For many practical purposes the assumption that both components (air
and water) behave independently of each other is reasonable. Therefore the physical properties of an air-water mixture can be
estimated by considering the physical properties of each component separately.

[edit] The Significance of Relative Humidity

[edit] Climate Control

Climate control refers to the control of temperature and relative humidity for human comfort, health and safety, and for the
technical requirements of machines and processes, in buildings, vehicles and other enclosed spaces.

[edit] Comfort

Humans are sensitive to humidity because the human body uses evaporative cooling as the primary mechanism to regulate
temperature. Under humid conditions the rate that perspiration evaporates from the skin is lower than it would be under arid
conditions. Because humans perceive the rate of heat transfer from the body rather than temperature itself we feel warmer
when the relative humidity is high than when it is low.

For example, if the air temperature is 24 degrees Celsius (75 degrees Fahrenheit) and the relative humidity is zero percent then
the air temperature feels like 21 degrees Celsius (69 degrees Fahrenheit). At the same air temperature if the relative humidity is
100 percent then we feel like it is 27 degrees Celsius (80 degrees Fahrenheit). In other words, at a temperature of 24 degrees
Celsius air is saturated with water vapor and the human body cools itself at the same rate as it would if it were 27 degrees
Celsius and with no moisture in the air. The humidex is a measurement that reflects the combined effect of temperature and
humidity on cooling of the human body.

[edit] Buildings

When controlling the climate in buldings using HVAC systems the key is to control the relative humidity in a comfortable range -
low enough to be comfortable but high enough to avoid problems associated with very dry air.

When the temperature is high and the relative humidity is low evaporation of water is rapid; soil dries, wet clothes hanging
outdoors dry quickly, and perspiration readily evaporates from the skin. Wooden furniture can shrink causing the paint that
covers these surfaces to fracture.

When the temperature is high and the relative humidity is high evaporation of water is slow. When relative humidity approaches
100 percent condensation can occur on surfaces leading to problems with mold, corrosion, decay, and other moisture-related
deterioration.

Certain production and technical processes and treatments in factories, laboratories, hospitals and other facilities require
specific relative humidity levels to be maintained using humidifiers, dehumidifiers and associated control systems.

[edit] Vehicles

The same basic principles as in buildings, above, apply. In addition there may be safety considerations. For instance high
humidity inside a vehicle can lead to problems of condensation, such as misting of windshields and shorting of electrical
components.

In sealed vehicles and pressure vessels such as pressurised airliners, submersibles and spacecraft these considerations may
be critical to safety, and complex environmental control systems including equipment to maintain pressure are needed. For
example, airliner fuselages are susceptible to corrosion from humidity, and avionics are susceptible to condensation, and as the
failure of either is potentially catastrophic, airliners operate with low internal relative humidity, often under 10%, especially on
long flights. The low humidity is a consequence of drawing in the very dry air, often 5% relative humidity or below, which is
found at airliner cruising altitudes. This causes discomfort such as sore eyes, dry skin, and drying out of mucosa, but
humidifiers are not employed to raise it to comfortable mid-range levels because essentially dry air in an airliner is safe air.

[edit] Related Concepts

The term relative humidity is reserved for systems of water vapor in air. The term relative saturation is used to describe the
analogous property for systems consisting of a condensable phase other than water in a non-condensable phase other than air.
[5]

The relative humidity of an air-water system is dependent not only on the temperature but also on the absolute pressure of the
system of interest. This is dependence demonstrated by considering the air-water system shown below. The system is closed
(i.e. no matter enters or leaves the system).

If the system at State A is isobariacally heated (heating with no change in system pressure) then the relative humidity of the
system decreases because the saturated vapor pressure of water increases with increasing temperature. This is shown in State
B

If the system at State A is isothermally compressed (compressed with no change in system temperature) then the relative
humidity of the system increases because the partial pressure of water in the system increases with increasing system
pressure. This is shown in State C.

Therefore a change in relative humidity can be explained by a change in system temperature, a change in the absolute
pressure of the system, or change in both of these system properties.

[edit] Other important facts

A gas in this context is referred to as saturated when the vapor pressure of water in the air is at the equilibrium vapor pressure
for water vapor at the temperature of the gas and water vapor mixture; liquid water (and ice, at the appropriate temperature) will
fail to lose mass through evaporation when exposed to saturated air. It may also correspond to the possibility of dew or fog
forming, within a space that lacks temperature differences among its portions, for instance in response to decreasing
temperature. Fog consists of very minute droplets of liquid, primarily held aloft by isostatic motion (in other words, the droplets
fall through the air at terminal velocity, but as they are very small, this terminal velocity is very small too, so it doesn't look to us
like they are falling and they seem to be being held aloft).

The statement that relative humidity (RH%) can never be above 100%, while a fairly good guide, is not absolutely accurate,
without a more sophisticated definition of humidity than the one given here. An arguable exception is the Wilson cloud chamber
which uses, in nuclear physics experiments, an extremely brief state of "supersaturation" to accomplish its function.

For a given dewpoint and its corresponding absolute humidity, the relative humidity will change inversely, albeit nonlinearly,
with the temperature. This is because the partial pressure of water increases with temperature – the operative principle behind
everything from hair dryers to dehumidifiers.

Due to the increasing potential for a higher water vapor partial pressure at higher air temperatures, the water content of air at
sea level can get as high as 3% by mass at 30 °C (86 °F) compared to no more than about 0.5% by mass at 0 °C (32 °F). This
explains the low levels (in the absence of measures to add moisture) of humidity in heated structures during winter, indicated by
dry skin, itchy eyes, and persistence of static electric charges. Even with saturation (100% relative humidity) outdoors, heating
of infiltrated outside air that comes indoors raises its moisture capacity, which lowers relative humidity and increases
evaporation rates from moist surfaces indoors (including human bodies.)

Similarly, during summer in humid climates a great deal of liquid water condenses from air cooled in air conditioners. Warmer
air is cooled below its dewpoint and the excess water vapor condenses. This phenomenon is the same as that which causes
water droplets to form on the outside of a cup containing an ice-cold drink.

A useful rule of thumb is that the maximum absolute humidity doubles for every 20 °F (11.1 °C) increase in temperature. Thus,
the relative humidity will drop by a factor of 2 for each 20 °F (11.1 °C) increase in temperature, assuming conservation of
absolute moisture. For example, in the range of normal temperatures, air at 70 °F (21.1 °C) and 50% relative humidity will
become saturated if cooled to 50°F (10 °C), its dewpoint and 40 °F (4.4 °C) air at 80% relative humidity warmed to 70 °F
(21.1 °C) will have a relative humidity of only 29% and feel dry. By comparison, a relative humidity between 40% and 60% is
considered healthy and comfortable in comfort controlled environments (ASHRAE Standard 55[6]).

Water vapor is a lighter gas than air at the same temperature, so humid air will tend to rise by natural convection. This is a
mechanism behind thunderstorms and other weather phenomena. Relative humidity is often mentioned in weather forecasts
and reports, as it is an indicator of the likelihood of precipitation, dew, or fog. In hot summer weather, it also increases the
apparent temperature to humans (and other animals) by hindering the evaporation of perspiration from the skin as the relative
humidity rises. This effect is calculated as the heat index or humidex.

A device used to measure humidity is called a hygrometer, one used to regulate it is called a humidistat, or sometimes
hygrostat. (These are analogous to a thermometer and thermostat for temperature, respectively.)

Relative Humidity....Relative to What?

The Dew Point Temperature...a better approach

by Steve Horstmeyer, Meteorologist, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

Humidity is a complicated concept. So complicated that most TV meteorologists I know cannot and do not explain it correctly -
More on this in part "B".

Humidity refers to the amount of water vapor in the air (not liquid water drops or ice crystals or snowflakes).

For years you have seen RELATIVE HUMIDITY during TV weathercasts, and it seems to make sense but as I mentioned it is
complicated and even the complications about humidity have complications.

But because the essence is very simple it is amazing There is SOOOO much confusion about humidity.
First when thinking about humidity - ALWAYS THINK ENERGY!

Temperature - The amount of thermal energy. In a gas like the atmosphere temperature is a measure of the average speed of
the molecules. Scientists would say temperature is a measure of the average KINETIC ENERGY of the molecules. The faster
air molecules move, the more kinetic energy and the higher the temperature.

NO WAY! Since 1802 when John Dalton demonstrated that air is a mechanical mixture of gasses we have known that air in NO
WAY "holds" water vapor. Being a mechanical mixture of gasses means the molecules (nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, water
vapor and others) merely occupy the same space. In a large jar containing marbles of 5 different colors, the blue marbles do
not hold the red marbles and the red the yellow, the marbles of different colors just coexist in the jar.

This is a bit misleading because in the jar the marbles are stacked on top of each other, in the atmosphere there is plenty of
space between molecules SO MUCH SPACE THAT ait is mostly EMPTY SPACE. So if anyone asks you what the atmosphere
is mostly - it is mostly empty space.

Oxygen and nitrogen alternately do not have "hook & loop" areas or little hands to grab and hold water vapor molecules.

It comes down to energy.

For the meteorologist the only factors that determine how much water vapor will be in the air are the availability of water and the
amount of thermal energy to do the work of evaporation.

A liquid water molecule evaporates from a body of water or from the sweat on your skin if it gains enough energy to break free
of the attractive forces holding the molecule to neighboring water molecules. The energy comes from collisions with neighbors
and if a molecule gains enough energy it can rocket free of the water. The liberated molecule is then water vapor zipping
around with zillions of other molecules in the air.

It has nothing to do with a magical power of the air molecules above. In science there is no magic, nearly everything when
investigated at a fundamental level is elegantly simple, rational and quite amazing.

CORRECT TERMINOLOGY:
ON A WARM DAY MORE WATER CAN EVAPORATE BECAUSE
THERE IS MORE THERMAL ENERGY AVAILABLE TO DO THE WORK OF EVAPORATION.

Humidimyth #2. Warm air expands so there is more room for water molecules.

NO WAY AGAIN! There is always plenty of space between air molecules for water vapor molecules to fit. If we imagine oxygen
and nitrogen molecules enlarged to about the size of two joined tennis balls at sea level and about 50°F (10°C) there is an
average distance of about 4.75 feet (145cm) between air molecules.

It is important to realize that the molecules are zipping around in all directions at hundreds of miles per hour and many
collisions are taking place all the time. If a "snap shot" is taken at an instant in time and all the distances measured the average
inter-molecular distance between tennis ball size molecules at sea level will be 4.75 feet. (145cm).

Even at 50°F (10°C) there is plenty of room for more tennis balls to fit. When the air is heated to 80°F (27°C) the average
distance between the tennis-ball size molecules increases to about 5.5' (168 cm), not a great increase in average inter-
molecular distance.

Conclusion: The amount of water vapor in the air has nothing to do with distance between molecules.

CORRECT TERMINOLOGY:
ON A WARM DAY MORE WATER CAN EVAPORATE BECAUSE
THERE IS MORE THERMAL ENERGY AVAILABLE TO DO THE WORK OF EVAPORATION.

C. THINK ENERGY
When thinking of humidity always think in terms of energy and there is only so much energy to go around and not all of it is
available to do the work of evaporation. The remainder goes to the other molecules in the air - each gas in the mechanical
mixture gets its fair share.

There is a connection between humidity and air temperature, but the connection has nothing to do with warm air "holding" more
water vapor. Think of air as a kinetic energy delivery system. Warmer air moving into a region has more thermal energy than
the air it is replacing. At the molecular level we say the average kinetic energy of the molecules is greater in the warmer air and
the thermal energy of the warmer air is transferred to water molecules as the faster moving air molecules collide with the slower
molecules in the water. The faster moving air molecules lose energy and the slower moving water molecules gain energy and
begin to move faster and collide with each other more violently. Some of the water molecules will gain enough kinetic energy
( or speed or thermal energy - all three are the same) to escape the liquid and become a free moving gas molecule. If the newly
arriving air is colder the opposite occurs.

Myth #3. Evaporation is precisely the opposite of condensation.

FOR A THIRD TIME - NO WAY! A liquid molecule of water is closely surrounded by many others, all moving about, twirling,
swirling and gliding around each other in an incessant dance. Almost all the kinetic energy a liquid molecule needs to evaporate
is gained from collisions with its surrounding liquid neighbors.

Air does deliver some thermal energy to the liquid, but because the number of molecules (molecular number density) in the air
above the interface is about 1000 times less than the number of molecules in the liquid, by far most of energy for evaporation
will come from the liquid.

A molecule evaporates when sufficient kinetic energy is gained through collisions with its neighbors for it to overcome the
attractive forces between the liquid molecules. These forces include hydrogen bonds and Van der Waals force. As the molecule
escapes it takes with it kinetic energy, leaving the water surface with a diminished total kinetic energy.

A molecule condenses when it is moving slowly enough and is pulled back to the water surface by the attractive forces, i.e. its
velocity is insufficient to resist the pull of the various forces of attraction. The molecule plunges into the water, transferring
energy to the molecules near where it hit the surface and is once again liquid.

It is easy to see why evaporation cools a surface and condensation warms it - when you THINK ENERGY

So.....

CORRECT CONCEPT:
EVAPORATION IS PRIMARILY DEPENDENT ON THE TEMPERATURE OF THE WATER, AND CONDENSATION IS
PRIMARILY DEPENDENT ON THE TEMPERATURE OF THE AIR. THE NET EXCHANGE OF ENERGY IS THE SAME BUT
STRICTLY SPEAKING THE PROCESSES ARE FUNDAMENTALLY DIFFERENT.

Relative humidity expresses how much of the energy available for evaporation has been used to "free" liquid water molecules
from hteir neighbors. A relative humidity of 50% means half the available energy has been used to evaporate water from the
ground, streams, lakes anywhere else it is and 50% is still available to do more evaporation.

Relative to What?

On a sticky summer morning the temperature may be 75°F and the relative humidity 90%, a very sticky morning indeed.

As the temperature rises during the day the amount of available energy increases. If by early afternoon the amount of available
energy doubles (and it does in summer very often) Without changing the number of water vapor molelcules in the air the
relative humidity drops to 45% BECAUSE THERE IS TWICE THE AMOUNT OF ENERGY AVAILABLE - REMEMBER
RELATIVE HUMIDITY IS WHAT PERCENT OF AVAILABLE ENERGY HAS BEEN USED AND BECAUSE IT DOUBLED
DURING THE DAY THE PERCENT USED IS HALF THE ORIGINAL! RELATIVE HUMIDITY IS RELATIVE TO WHAT ....
RELATIVE TO THE AMOUNT OF ENERGY AVAILABLE TO DO THE WORK OF EVAPORATION. Because the amount of
energy increased as the sun warmed the atmosphere the percentage of the energy available that was used decreased, i.e. the
relative humidity, all the while there was no change in the amount of vapor in the air.
So when you hear someone say its feels worse than 52% relative humidity today, they do not understand the concept of
RELATIVE HUMIDITY because 92°F and 52% is a very humid afternoon. Because the concept is confusing (even many TV
meteorologists do not understand it) a better measuer is the dew point temperature.

The Dew Point Temperature

Dew point temperature is a measure of humidity. If air is cooled eventually enough energy will be removed for water vapor to
begin to condense. When we say condense it just means some of the molecules slow enough so that the attractive forces
between liquid molecules are strong enough to make the molecules stick together.Remember the water vapor was originally
liquid water and to get it to evaporate you had to add energy. As long as a molecule is moving fast enough (faster = warmer) it
will remain vapor, but as a molecule cools (cooler = slower) at some point it will slow enough so it will stick to other water
molecules. When that happens scientists say the molelcule condensed.

The temperature where condensation first begins is the dew point temperature.

In terms of relative humidity, as the parcel of air is cooled, the relative humidity increases, when the relative humidity reaches
100%, the air parcel has cooled to the dew point temperature. At a relative humidity of 100% the dew point temperature
ALWAYS equals the temperature. The greater the difference between temperature and dew point the lower the relative
humidity.

Dew Point vs. R.H.

Unlike relative humidity if dew point increases, it is only because the amount of moisture in the air increases. If relative humidity
changes it can be because of temperature changes or moisture changes, or both.<BR.
REMEMBER - THINK ENERGY - if the air cools less thermal energy is available so the proportion utilized for evaporation is
greater. For example if the relative humidity is 45% and half the thermal energy is removed because the air cools at night the
relative humidity will rise to 90%, without changing the amount of moisture in the air. When using dew point temperature as a
measure of humidity any change is strictly due to moisture change.

Dew point can never be higher than the temperature. At saturation, i.e. 100% relative humidity the temperature and dew point
are the same.

So How Does Dew Point Feel?

On a typical summer day the following apply:

A Common Misconception

One last thing if you ever hear someone say it was 90°F and the humidity was 90%, that has never happened in Cincinnati,
(and unless the greenhouse effect goes into overdrive never will). 90°F/90% requires a dew point of 85.5°F. In Cincinnati the
highest ever dew point was 81°F. for just a few minutes.

In August 1995 we had four hours of 78°F,79°F,78°F,77°F dew points, the highest persistent dew points I have seen in
Cincinnati since working here as a meteorologist. For one hour I did see a dew point of 81°F, just after a thunderstorm.

World Record Dew Points

However many veterans of the Persian Gulf War know what 90°F/90% feels like. The Persian Gulf and Red Sea both attain sea
water temperatures in the mid 90's when that happens there is plenty of energy available, along with the 115°F air
temperatures, to evaporate water.

The dew point has been measured on the shore of Ethiopia, the area is now part of Eritrea, at 94°F. The highest known dew
point temperature in the world. The relative humidity with a temperature of 115°F and a dew point of 94°F is 54% this doesn't
tell you as much as the dew point when you consider the table above.

© 2008 Steven L. Horstmeyer, all rights reserved