Marginal Risks of Severe Storms on the Central Plains; Flash flooding on the Northern Plains; Frost & Freeze Warnings in portions of the West & Northeast

A storm system developing across the Plains may cause locally severe weather in western Kansas and southwestern Nebraska today, with isolated flash flooding possible in portions of eastern Montana and western North Dakota. Frost and Freeze Warnings are in effect for portions of the central Rockies and central Appalachians tonight into Friday morning. Read More >

A Discussion on Water Vapor (Moisture)

QUESTION 1:

In the winter, if the air temperature was 40 F and the dewpoint was also 40, what would the relative humidity be? Now, in the spring, if the air temperature was 70 and the dewpoint was 70, what would the relative humidity be? In which situation would if feel more humid? What does this tell you about relative humidity?

ANSWER 1:

If the air temperature and dewpoint temperature were both 40, the relative humidity would be 100 percent. Likewise, if the air and dewpoint temperature were both 70, the relative humidity would again be 100 percent. Despite the relative humidity being the same in both cases, it certainly would feel more humid if the air and dewpoint temperatures were both 70 degrees. This shows how the relative humidity tells you little about the actual moisture content of the air (much more moisture is contained in the air for the summer case), and how the same relative humidity value can occur in completely different situations having very different "feels" to our bodies.

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Marginal Risks of Severe Storms on the Central Plains; Flash flooding on the Northern Plains; Frost & Freeze Warnings in portions of the West & Northeast

Water Vapor Answer 1