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The dew point is the temperature to which air must be cooled to become saturated with water vapor,
assuming constant air pressure and water content. When cooled below the dew point, moisture capacity is
reduced[1] and airborne water vapor will condense to form liquid water known as dew. When this occurs
via contact with a colder surface, dew will form on that surface.[2]
The dew point is affected by humidity. When there is more moisture in the air, the dew point is higher.[3]
When the temperature is below the freezing point of water, the dew point is called the frost point, as frost
is formed via deposition rather than condensation.[4] In liquids, the analog to the dew point is the cloud
point.
Contents
Humidity
Relationship to human comfort
Dew point weather records
Measurement
Calculating the dew point
Simple approximation
Frost point
See also
References
External links
Humidity
If all the other factors influencing humidity remain constant, at ground level the relative humidity rises as
the temperature falls; this is because less vapor is needed to saturate the air. In normal conditions, the dew
point temperature will not be greater than the air temperature, since relative humidity typically[5] does not
exceed 100%.[6]
In technical terms, the dew point is the temperature at which the water vapor in a sample of air at constant
barometric pressure condenses into liquid water at the same rate at which it evaporates.[7] At temperatures
below the dew point, the rate of condensation will be greater than that of evaporation, forming more liquid
water. The condensed water is called dew when it forms on a solid surface, or frost if it freezes. In the air,
the condensed water is called either fog or a cloud, depending on its altitude when it forms. If the
temperature is below the dew point, and no dew or fog forms, the vapor is called supersaturated. This can
happen if there are not enough particles in the air to act as condensation nuclei.[5]
A high relative humidity implies that the dew point is close to the current air temperature. A relative
humidity of 100% indicates the dew point is equal to the current temperature and that the air is maximally
saturated with water. When the moisture content remains constant and temperature increases, relative
humidity decreases, but the dew point remains constant.[8]
General aviation pilots use dew point data to calculate the likelihood of carburetor icing and fog, and to
estimate the height of a cumuliform cloud base.
As the air surrounding one's body is warmed by body heat, it will rise and be replaced with other air. If air
is moved away from one's body with a natural breeze or a fan, sweat will evaporate faster, making
perspiration more effective at cooling the body. The more unevaporated perspiration, the greater the
discomfort.
A wet bulb thermometer also uses evaporative cooling, so it provides a good measure for use in evaluating
comfort level.
Discomfort also exists when the dew point is very low (below around −5 °C or 23 °F). The drier air can
cause skin to crack and become irritated more easily. It will also dry out the airways. The US Occupational
Safety and Health Administration recommends indoor air be maintained at 20–24.5 °C (68–76 °F) with a
20–60% relative humidity,[11] equivalent to a dew point of approximately 4.0 to 16.5 °C (39 to 62 °F) (by
Simple Rule calculation below).
Lower dew points, less than 10 °C (50 °F), correlate with lower ambient temperatures and cause the body
to require less cooling. A lower dew point can go along with a high temperature only at extremely low
relative humidity, allowing for relatively effective cooling.
People inhabiting tropical and subtropical climates acclimatize somewhat to higher dew points. Thus, a
resident of Singapore or Miami, for example, might have a higher threshold for discomfort than a resident
of a temperate climate like London or Chicago. People accustomed to temperate climates often begin to feel
uncomfortable when the dew point gets above 15 °C (59 °F), while others might find dew points up to
18 °C (64 °F) comfortable. Most inhabitants of temperate areas will consider dew points above 21 °C
(70 °F) oppressive and tropical-like, while inhabitants of hot and humid areas may not find this
uncomfortable. Thermal comfort depends not just on physical environmental factors, but also on
psychological factors.[12]
Measurement
Devices called hygrometers are used to measure dew point over a wide range of temperatures. These
devices consist of a polished metal mirror which is cooled as air is passed over it. The temperature at which
dew forms is, by definition, the dew point. Manual devices of this sort can be used to calibrate other types
of humidity sensors, and automatic sensors may be used in a control loop with a humidifier or dehumidifier
to control the dew point of the air in a building or in a smaller space for a manufacturing process.
For greater accuracy, Ps(T) (and therefore γ(T, RH)) can be enhanced, using part of the Bögel modification,
also known as the Arden Buck equation, which adds a fourth constant d:
where
There are several different constant sets in use. The ones used in NOAA's presentation[15] are taken from a
1980 paper by David Bolton in the Monthly Weather Review:[16]
These valuations provide a maximum error of 0.1%, for −30 °C ≤ T ≤ 35°C and 1% < RH < 100%. Also
noteworthy is the Sonntag1990,[17]
a = 6.112 mbar, b = 17.62, c = 243.12 °C; for −45 °C ≤ T ≤ 60 °C (error ±0.35 °C).
Another common set of values originates from the 1974 Psychrometry and Psychrometric Charts, as
presented by Paroscientific,[18]
a = 6.105 mbar, b = 17.27, c = 237.7 °C; for 0 °C ≤ T ≤ 60 °C (error ±0.4 °C).
Also, in the Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology,[19] Arden Buck presents several different
valuation sets, with different maximum errors for different temperature ranges. Two particular sets provide a
range of −40 °C to +50 °C between the two, with even lower maximum error within the indicated range
than all the sets above:
Simple approximation
There is also a very simple approximation that allows conversion between the dew point, temperature, and
relative humidity. This approach is accurate to within about ±1 °C as long as the relative humidity is above
50%:
For every 1 °C difference in the dew point and dry bulb temperatures, the relative humidity
decreases by 5%, starting with RH = 100% when the dew point equals the dry bulb
temperature.
The derivation of this approach, a discussion of its accuracy, comparisons to other approximations, and
more information on the history and applications of the dew point, can be found in an article published in
the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society.[20]
For example, a relative humidity of 100% means dew point is the same as air temp. For 90% RH, dew
point is 3 °F lower than air temperature. For every 10 percent lower, dew point drops 3 °F.
Frost point
The frost point is similar to the dew point in that it is the temperature to which a given parcel of humid air
must be cooled, at constant atmospheric pressure, for water vapor to be deposited on a surface as ice
crystals without undergoing the liquid phase (compare with sublimation). The frost point for a given parcel
of air is always higher than the dew point, as breaking the stronger bonding between water molecules on
the surface of ice compared to the surface of liquid water requires a higher temperature.[21]
See also
Bubble point
Carburetor heat
Hydrocarbon dew point
Psychrometrics
Thermodynamic diagrams
References
1. "How To: Eliminate Window Condensation" (https://thecraftsmanblog.com/how-to-eliminate-
window-condensation/). 15 November 2021.
2. "Dew Point" (https://w1.weather.gov/glossary/index.php?word=dew+point). Glossary –
NOAA's National Weather Service. 25 June 2009.
3. John M. Wallace; Peter V. Hobbs (24 March 2006). Atmospheric Science: An Introductory
Survey (https://books.google.com/books?id=HZ2wNtDOU0oC&pg=PA83). Academic Press.
pp. 83–. ISBN 978-0-08-049953-6.
4. "Frost Point" (https://w1.weather.gov/glossary/index.php?word=frost+point). Glossary –
NOAA's National Weather Service. 25 June 2009.
5. Skilling, Tom (20 July 2011). "Ask Tom why: Is it possible for relative humidity to exceed 100
percent?" (http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-07-20/news/ct-wea-0720-asktom-201107
20_1_relative-humidity-condensation-nuclei-supersaturated-air). Chicago Tribune.
Retrieved 24 January 2018.
6. "Observed Dew Point Temperature" (http://ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/(Gh)/guides/maps/sfcob
s/dwp.rxml). Department of Atmospheric Sciences (DAS) at the University of Illinois at
Urbana-Champaign. Retrieved 15 February 2018.
7. "dew point" (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dew%20point). Merriam-Webster
Dictionary.
8. Horstmeyer, Steve (2006-08-15). "Relative Humidity....Relative to What? The Dew Point
Temperature...a better approach" (http://www.shorstmeyer.com/wxfaqs/humidity/humidity.htm
l). Steve Horstmeyer. Retrieved 2009-08-20.
9. "Dew Point in Compressed Air – Frequently Asked Questions" (https://www.vaisala.com/site
s/default/files/documents/Dew-point-compressed-air-Application-note-B210991EN-B-LOW-v
1.pdf) (PDF). Vaisala. Retrieved 15 February 2018.
10. "Denver Facts Guide – Today" (https://web.archive.org/web/20070203182736/http://www.de
nvergov.org/AboutDenver/today_factsguide.asp). The City and County of Denver. Archived
from the original (http://www.denvergov.org/AboutDenver/today_factsguide.asp) on February
3, 2007. Retrieved March 19, 2007.
11. "02/24/2003 - Reiteration of Existing OSHA Policy on Indoor Air Quality: Office
Temperature/Humidity and Environmental Tobacco Smoke. | Occupational Safety and
Health Administration" (https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_tabl
e=interpretations&p_id=24602). www.osha.gov. Retrieved 2020-01-20.
12. Lin, Tzu-Ping (10 February 2009). "Thermal perception, adaptation and attendance in a
public square in hot and humid regions" (https://www.academia.edu/download/46325093/Th
ermal_perception_adaptation_and_attend20160607-13171-4gct3e.pdf) (PDF). Building and
Environment. 44 (10): 2017–2026. doi:10.1016/j.buildenv.2009.02.004 (https://doi.org/10.101
6%2Fj.buildenv.2009.02.004). Retrieved 23 January 2018.
13. "Iranian city soars to record 129 degrees: Near hottest on Earth in modern measurements" (h
ttps://www.washingtonpost.com/news/capital-weather-gang/wp/2017/06/29/iran-city-soars-to
-record-of-129-degrees-near-hottest-ever-reliably-measured-on-earth/). Washington Post.
Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20170702063507/https://www.washingtonpost.com/n
ews/capital-weather-gang/wp/2017/06/29/iran-city-soars-to-record-of-129-degrees-near-hott
est-ever-reliably-measured-on-earth/) from the original on 2 July 2017. Retrieved 3 July
2017.
14. "Iran city hits suffocating heat index of 165 degrees, near world record" (https://www.kleanin
dustries.com/s/environmental_market_industry_news.asp?ReportID=718276). Klean
Industries. 4 August 2015. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
15. Relative Humidity and Dewpoint Temperature from Temperature and Wet-Bulb Temperature
(https://www.weather.gov/media/epz/wxcalc/rhTdFromWetBulb.pdf)
16. Bolton, David (July 1980). "The Computation of Equivalent Potential Temperature" (https://w
eb.archive.org/web/20120915053830/http://www.rsmas.miami.edu/users/pzuidema/Bolton.p
df) (PDF). Monthly Weather Review. 108 (7): 1046–1053. Bibcode:1980MWRv..108.1046B
(https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1980MWRv..108.1046B). doi:10.1175/1520-
0493(1980)108<1046:TCOEPT>2.0.CO;2 (https://doi.org/10.1175%2F1520-0493%28198
0%29108%3C1046%3ATCOEPT%3E2.0.CO%3B2). Archived from the original (https://ww
w.rsmas.miami.edu/users/pzuidema/Bolton.pdf) (PDF) on 2012-09-15. Retrieved
2012-07-04.
17. SHTxx Application Note Dew-point Calculation (http://irtfweb.ifa.hawaii.edu/~tcs3/tcs3/Misc/
Dewpoint_Calculation_Humidity_Sensor_E.pdf)
18. "MET4 and MET4A Calculation of Dew Point" (https://archive.today/20120526034637/http://
www.paroscientific.com/dewpoint.htm). Archived from the original (http://www.paroscientific.
com/dewpoint.htm) on May 26, 2012. Retrieved 7 October 2014.
19. Buck, Arden L. (December 1981). "New Equations for Computing Vapor Pressure and
Enhancement Factor" (https://web.archive.org/web/20160304093405/http://www.public.iasta
te.edu/~bkh/teaching/505/arden_buck_sat.pdf) (PDF). Journal of Applied Meteorology. 20
(12): 1527–1532. Bibcode:1981JApMe..20.1527B (https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1981J
ApMe..20.1527B). doi:10.1175/1520-0450(1981)020<1527:NEFCVP>2.0.CO;2 (https://doi.o
rg/10.1175%2F1520-0450%281981%29020%3C1527%3ANEFCVP%3E2.0.CO%3B2).
Archived from the original (http://www.public.iastate.edu/~bkh/teaching/505/arden_buck_sat.
pdf) (PDF) on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2016-01-15.
20. Lawrence, Mark G. (February 2005). "The Relationship between Relative Humidity and the
Dewpoint Temperature in Moist Air: A Simple Conversion and Applications". Bulletin of the
American Meteorological Society. 86 (2): 225–233. Bibcode:2005BAMS...86..225L (https://u
i.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2005BAMS...86..225L). doi:10.1175/BAMS-86-2-225 (https://doi.or
g/10.1175%2FBAMS-86-2-225).
21. Haby, Jeff. "Frost point and dew point"
(http://www.theweatherprediction.com/habyhints/347/). Retrieved September 30, 2011.
External links
Often Needed Answers about Temp, Humidity & Dew Point (http://www.faqs.org/faqs/meteor
ology/temp-dewpoint/) from the sci.geo.meteorology
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