Temperature vs. Humidity — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 8, 2024
Temperature measures the degree of heat, affecting how warm or cold an environment feels, while humidity indicates the amount of water vapor in the air, influencing comfort and weather patterns.
Difference Between Temperature and Humidity
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Temperature is a fundamental physical quantity representing the kinetic energy of molecules, affecting our perception of warmth or coldness. On the other hand, humidity measures the concentration of water vapor present in the air, which significantly affects both human comfort and various ecological processes.
Temperature can be measured using thermometers, which may utilize materials that expand or contract with heat. Whereas humidity is typically measured with hygrometers, which assess the moisture content in the atmosphere.
In climatology, temperature directly influences the climate of a region, playing a crucial role in defining seasons and weather patterns. Meanwhile, humidity interacts with temperature to determine precipitation patterns and can influence the intensity and frequency of weather events like storms.
High temperatures often lead to increased discomfort if accompanied by high humidity, as it hampers the body's ability to cool itself through sweating. Conversely, low humidity can make even cooler temperatures feel more biting due to increased evaporation rates on the skin.
Temperature changes can be abrupt and vary widely within a day or across seasons. On the other hand, changes in humidity might be more gradual, depending on the surrounding water sources and prevailing weather conditions.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Measure of heat in an environment
Measure of water vapor in the air
Units
Degrees Celsius, Fahrenheit, Kelvin
Percentage, grams per cubic meter
Measurement Tools
Thermometer
Hygrometer
Primary Influence
Affects human perception of hot or cold
Affects comfort, precipitation, weather
Interaction with Environment
Directly alters thermal comfort
Influences evaporation and condensation
Compare with Definitions
Temperature
Quantitative representation of heat or cold.
Temperatures soared to 90 degrees during the heatwave.
Humidity
Affects human comfort and health.
Low humidity can dry out your skin and respiratory passages.
Temperature
Indicated in degrees.
The thermometer showed a temperature of 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
Humidity
Amount of water vapor in the air.
High humidity made the air feel sticky and heavy.
Temperature
Varied by time and geography.
The temperature in deserts can fluctuate dramatically between day and night.
Humidity
Changes less rapidly than temperature.
The humidity tends to remain constant unless a weather front moves through the area.
Temperature
Can be felt as warmth or coolness.
The high temperature made the day uncomfortably warm.
Humidity
Influences weather and climate.
Humidity levels play a crucial role in the formation of rain clouds.
Temperature
Measure of thermal energy in an environment.
The temperature dropped overnight, making it chilly in the morning.
Humidity
Measured as a percentage.
The humidity level today is 85%, which is quite high.
Temperature
Temperature is a physical quantity that expresses hot and cold. It is the manifestation of thermal energy, present in all matter, which is the source of the occurrence of heat, a flow of energy, when a body is in contact with another that is colder or hotter.
Humidity
Humidity is the concentration of water vapour present in the air. Water vapor, the gaseous state of water, is generally invisible to the human eye.
Temperature
The degree of hotness or coldness of a body or environment.
Humidity
Dampness, especially of the air.
Temperature
A measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in a sample of matter, expressed in terms of units or degrees designated on a standard scale.
Humidity
Relative humidity.
Temperature
The degree of heat in the body of a living organism, usually about 37.0°C (98.6°F) in humans.
Humidity
Dampness, especially that of the air.
Temperature
An abnormally high condition of body heat caused by illness; a fever.
Humidity
The amount of water vapour in the air.
Temperature
A measure of cold or heat, often measurable with a thermometer.
The boiling temperature of pure water is 100 degrees Celsius.
The temperature in the room dropped nearly 20 degrees; it went from hot to cold.
The most accurate way to take your temperature is by sticking a thermometer up your butt.
Humidity
Moisture; dampness; a moderate degree of wetness, which is perceptible to the eye or touch; - used especially of the atmosphere, or of anything which has absorbed moisture from the atmosphere, as clothing.
Temperature
An elevated body temperature, as present in fever and many illnesses.
You have a temperature. I think you should stay home today. You’re sick.
Humidity
The content of water vapor in the air, expressed as a percent of the maximum amount of water vapor that the air can hold at the given temperature; also called relative humidity. The capacity of the air to hold moisture increases with temperature, so if the temperature changes without changing the absolute content of the atmospheric moisture, the relative humidity will also change.
Temperature
(thermodynamics) A property of macroscopic amounts of matter that serves to gauge the average intensity of the random actual motions of the individually mobile particulate constituents. [http://arxiv.org/pdf/physics/0004055]
Humidity
Wetness in the atmosphere
Temperature
(obsolete) The state or condition of being tempered or moderated.
Temperature
The balance of humours in the body, or one's character or outlook as considered determined from this; temperament.
Temperature
Constitution; state; degree of any quality.
The best composition and temperature is, to have openness in fame and opinion, secrecy in habit, dissimulation in seasonable use, and a power to feign, if there be no remedy.
Memory depends upon the consistence and the temperature of the brain.
Temperature
Freedom from passion; moderation.
In that proud port, which her so goodly graceth,Most goodly temperature you may descry.
Temperature
Condition with respect to heat or cold, especially as indicated by the sensation produced, or by the thermometer or pyrometer; degree of heat or cold; as, the temperature of the air; high temperature; low temperature; temperature of freezing or of boiling.
Temperature
Mixture; compound.
Made a temperature of brass and iron together.
Temperature
The degree of hotness or coldness of a body or environment (corresponding to its molecular activity)
Temperature
The somatic sensation of cold or heat
Common Curiosities
Can temperature affect humidity?
Yes, higher temperatures can increase the air's capacity to hold water vapor, affecting humidity levels.
What is humidity?
Humidity refers to the amount of water vapor present in the air.
How is temperature measured?
Temperature is typically measured with a thermometer, using scales like Celsius or Fahrenheit.
How do we measure humidity?
Humidity is measured using devices called hygrometers, indicating moisture content as a percentage.
Does humidity affect weather?
Yes, humidity influences weather conditions, particularly precipitation and fog formation.
How do temperature and humidity interact?
Temperature and humidity interact to affect climate, weather, and comfort levels, with higher temperatures often allowing more water vapor to be held in the air.
What is the impact of high humidity?
High humidity can make temperatures feel warmer, hinder sweat evaporation, and increase discomfort.
What is relative humidity?
Relative humidity is the amount of moisture in the air compared to what the air can hold at that temperature, expressed as a percentage.
Can low humidity be uncomfortable?
Yes, low humidity can cause dryness in the skin and airways, leading to discomfort.
What is temperature?
Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of particles in a material, perceived as heat or cold.
What does high temperature indicate?
High temperature indicates more thermal energy, leading to warmer conditions.
Which is more variable daily, temperature or humidity?
Temperature tends to vary more than humidity on a daily basis.
How do seasons affect temperature and humidity?
Seasons cause significant changes in temperature and may also influence humidity levels due to varying precipitation patterns.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
