High humidity generally makes temperatures feel hotter.
Here's why:
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Humidity and Water Vapor: Humidity refers to the amount of water vapor present in the air. Higher humidity means more water vapor.
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Evaporation and Cooling: Our bodies cool down through sweating. Sweat evaporates from the skin, taking heat with it.
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High Humidity Impedes Evaporation: When the air is already saturated with water vapor (high humidity), sweat evaporates less efficiently. This is because the air can't hold much more moisture.
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The "Feels Like" Temperature: Consequently, our bodies struggle to cool down, and we feel hotter than the actual air temperature. This is why weather reports often include a "feels like" temperature or heat index, which accounts for humidity.
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Example: A temperature of 85°F (29°C) with high humidity can feel like 95°F (35°C) or even higher.
In essence, high humidity doesn't inherently make the air hotter, but it significantly reduces our body's ability to cool itself, resulting in the sensation of increased heat.
