Significant Coastal Impacts from Nor'Easter; Hurricane Nolo Bring Gusty Winds and Heavy Rain to Hawaii

A nor'easter will continue to bring significant coastal impacts to the Mid-Atlantic and New England into Monday. Moderate to major coastal flooding, heavy rain, strong winds, and high surf are expected. Hurricane Nolo will remain south of the Big Island of Hawaii with gusty winds and heavy rainfall that may bring significant, life-threatening flooding and mudslides through the weekend. 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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Significant Coastal Impacts from Nor'Easter; Hurricane Nolo Bring Gusty Winds and Heavy Rain to Hawaii

Water Vapor Answer 1