It's been very nice the last couple of days... We can thank the dewpoints and not the relative humidity for our comfortable weather. I know there are some of you now saying "Monty, it's not the heat, it's the humidity..."

Dewpoint: The temperature to which a given air parcel must be cooled at constant pressure and constant water vapor content in order for saturation to occur. (The temperature at which dew forms)

Let me explain... Air always has at least some moisture in it. You can't really see it (unless it is raining or foggy). The moisture we can't see is called water vapor (it's a gas). Dewpoint is a measurement of how much moisture is in the air. While, relative humidity is entirely dependent upon the temperature. For example: On a cool fall day lets say the temperature is 50 degrees and the dewpoint is 44 degrees that would give us a relative humidity (RH) of 80% (comfortable). Now let's make it summertime... The temperature is 90 degrees, and a dewpoint of 83 degrees, giving us an 80% RH (YUCK!!!). The same RH as the cool fall day! So how is the "relative humidity" helping you?

Think of it this way... In the summertime the higher the dewpoint, the more uncomfortable it will feel.

Here is a quick and easy Comfort Scale to dewpoints:

Less than 60 degrees... Comfortable
60 to 65 degrees... Muggy/Sticky
65-70 degrees... Uncomfortable
Greater than 70 degrees... Oppressive

Now get ready for some Muggy and Uncomfortable dewpoints through Friday!

3 Comments

We Are Monty Fans said:

Ohio Valley weather is what it is. It's all worth it, dewpoints and all....

We are really enjoying your weather-casts. You are a professonal who is quite charming and warm. Keep up the good work and keep on smiling that beautiful smile!

BTW They don't make it easy to find the blogs. Should be a link on homepage - if there is - we missed it.

Charlie & Marcie

June 28, 2008 7:25 PM

Jerry Laitinen said:

Monty,
I want to welcome you to my favorite local news and weather channel and to the area if you are not from here. If my eyes did not deceive me yesterday you were identified as the Chief Meterologist. If that is the case congratulations! I am sure you have heard or knew that your predecessor was a wonderful person. Although he may have left some big shoes to fill it sure seems that WHAS-11 has chosen the right man for the job. It may take others a little longer to warm up to you but you are doing a great job in my book. I look forward to your forecast every evening. It has always been the most accurate in this area. Welcome again and my family and I wish you all the best here in Kentuckiana.

June 26, 2008 12:13 PM

Murrell said:

Oh I hate high dewpoints!!! I've lived in the Ohio Valley all my life and hate summer. You're doing a great job, keep it up.

Best to you.

Murrell

Banjo pickin' weather lover...

June 25, 2008 10:33 PM

Leave a comment

Name:

Email:

URL:  

Remember personal info?

Captcha:

Type the characters you see in the picture above.