Ever wondered why a humid day feels more uncomfortable than a dry one, even if the temperature is the same? Unravel the science behind humidity's discomfort, its impact on our bodies, and how it influences our perception of heat.
On hot and humid days, your skin might feel sticky and overheated, and the air can feel so heavy that breathing becomes a chore
What is it about humidity that can make the outdoors feel so stifling?
- High humidity can make us feel hotter than we do on drier days.
- Ordinarily, as sweat beads onto the surface of our skin, heat from our bodies evaporates that sweat into the air, thereby cooling our skin. Humidity prevents sweat from evaporating as readily, because the surrounding air already has a high moisture content and can’t absorb much more.
The good news is that our bodies can adapt somewhat to high temperatures and high humidity
It takes an average of nine to 14 days to fully acclimate, depending on one’s fitness level, body size, and prior acclimation
- Similarly to how physical fitness and strength is lost if one skips a month at the gym, thermal adaptation can wane if it isn’t exercised
Tiffany Means is a meteorologist turned science writer. Her work has appeared in Yale Climate Connections, The Farmers’ Almanac, and other publications.
Tiffany has a bachelor’s degree in atmospheric science from the University of North Carolina, Asheville, and is earning a master’s in science writing at Johns Hopkins University. She is based in Baltimore, Maryland.
