Humidity&Dewpoint

[JoeinPA]

I'm in Pennsylvania and I notice that when it's slightly humid outside i.e. today(current humidity 63%,dew 52) I find it somewhat more difficult to breathe and seem to feel more draggy than usual. I've only lived on the east coast but I've heard it's less humid towards the west coast.
Any observations?

[PhillyWX]

Yep -- it is less humid on the West Coast GENERALLY than on the East Coast.

I've been on both coasts and while California CAN get humid it usually is not that humid year round.

I'm not going to do the long explanation of why it is that way -- there are several factors (ocean heat content in Atlantic in the summer vs. Pacific, airmasses and direction that winds flow from, etc.) but in generalization terms I think you're right.

Also, the feeling humid today is relative. If the dewpoint were 52 in August you would not be complaining about it one bit but considering that four days ago the dewpoint in Philadelphia was -2 at night it feels MUCH more humid.

[JoeinPA]

the feeling humid today is relative. If the dewpoint were 52 in August you would not be complaining about it one bit but considering that four days ago the dewpoint in Philadelphia was -2 at night it feels MUCH more humid.

Did you ever hear someone say 'it's going to rain,I can feel it in my bones'. That's sort of how I feel when there's an abnormal pattern,perhaps it's low pressure or what have you but the air just feels a little 'heavy' the past couple of days.

[Aslkahuna]

Actually, it's VERY humid right along the West Coast-especially from Punta Concepción north. Humidity is frequently in the 100% range with fog. It's the Temperature that makes the difference since temperatures will be in the 50's and 60's during the Summer when it's foggy and the 30's and 40's when it's foggy in the Winter. This is why Relative Humidity is a poor parameter to use since 100% RH at 50 degrees doesn't feel as stifling (though it feels clammy) as 40% at 100F would.

Steve

[PhillyWX]

Actually, it's VERY humid right along the West Coast-especially from Punta Concepción north. Humidity is frequently in the 100% range with fog. It's the Temperature that makes the difference since temperatures will be in the 50's and 60's during the Summer when it's foggy and the 30's and 40's when it's foggy in the Winter. This is why Relative Humidity is a poor parameter to use since 100% RH at 50 degrees doesn't feel as stifling (though it feels clammy) as 40% at 100F would.

Steve

Good point and I get torked whenever I see a met on TV ONLY mention the humidity and not include the dewpoint...there's a huge difference between 32 with 100% humidity and 90 with 60% humidity.