Create Date: July 17, 2024
Last Modified Date: February 12, 2025
Calculating dew point can be done with the following equation that is called the Magnus formula:
Your result will be a single value, the temperature at which the air will be completely saturated with water. This value is displayed in Fahrenheit by default, but can be converted easily into Celsius or Kelvin by choosing them from the dropdown menu.
Let's say it is 40 degrees Fahrenheit outside and the current relative humidity is 58%. We can plug those values into this tool to get the dew point temperature. First we enter 40 into the temperature field and then 58 into the humidity field.
We can now hit calculate to get the dew point temperature of 26.43 degrees Fahrenheit, or -3.09 degrees Celsius.
Some of the earliest mentions of dew point and its effect can be found in the BC era when Aristotle noted that dew formed under specific atmospheric conditions. There was not much advancement toward understanding dew point until hundreds of years later.
Fast-forward to the 1800s, John Dalton would study the behavior of water vapor in the air. The first dew point hygrometer would be developed which would measure the temperature at which dew formed.
The study on dew point would accelerate as the 1900s hit. Meteorologists would use dew point more in their weather forecasts. Also, during World War 2 dew point would be critical to know due to it possibly affecting aviation, military operations, and other facets of life.
Dew point is the temperature at which the air becomes saturated with water vapor whereas humidity is the percent of the air that is currently full of water. If it is more humid, it means the air is holding onto more water, which can make it feel muggy and sticky. Low humidity makes it feel very dry out.
Yes, there is a chance that dew point can be a temperature that is lower than 0.
The highest dew point ever recorded was 95°F in Saudi Arabia, back in 2003 where it was 108°F at the time.
Understanding dew point can be difficult if some of the terms and keywords used are not ones you understand. Here we shed some more light on some of these terms.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Dew point | Dew point is the temperature at which the air will be full of water vapor. |
There are many interesting things that can be shared about dew point. Here are some of our favorites.
The Sahara Desert can have a dew point as low as -22°F (-30°C) due to dry air. Meanwhile, the Amazon Rainforest often has a dew point near 80°F (27°C), making it feel like a sauna!
The highest recorded dew point on Earth was 95°F (35°C) in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia (July 2003).
A higher dew point means more moisture in the air, fueling stronger thunderstorms and tornadoes! Meteorologists watch this for severe weather predictions.
