The dew point is the temperature at which air becomes saturated with moisture and can no longer hold all of the water vapor it contains. At this temperature, the water vapor begins to condense into liquid water, forming dew. In simpler terms, it’s the point at which the air is so cool that it can’t keep the moisture in the form of gas, so it turns into liquid.

The dew point is important in weather forecasting because it helps indicate humidity levels in the air. A higher dew point means the air is more humid, while a lower dew point indicates drier air. When the dew point is close to the current temperature, the air feels more humid and sticky. When the dew point is far lower than the air temperature, the air feels dry.

For example:

• A high dew point (above 60°F or 15°C) means the air is moist and you might feel uncomfortable due to humidity.
• A low dew point (below 40°F or 4°C) suggests the air is dry, which might make your skin feel dry or cause static electricity.