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Humidity
What is this?The amount of water vapour present in the air. The higher
the temperature, the greater the number of water molecules the air can
hold. Humidity is also commonly used to describe the relative humidity.
What Does Humidity Mean for Me? Humidity has its greatest impact when
the weather warmer outside, because the air will hold more moisture. High
humidity produces a sweaty, sticky feeling that makes it feel hotter than
it actually is outside. The body's primary cooling mechanism is the evaporation
of sweat. When the humidity is higher, sweat will not evaporate as fast
because the air is already moist. Humidity and temperature are used in
warm weather to produce the heat index, which measures how hot it actually
feels outside.
Temperature
What is this? A measure of the energy in the air. The more heat energy
in the air, the higher the temperature. As the surface warms in reaction
to the sun's heat, it also warms the air above it. What Does Temperature
Mean for Me? Temperature alone is not an accurate measure of the weather
feels outside. In the summertime or in warmer climates, temperature and
humidity are combined to produce the heat index, which is the measure
of how warm the weather actually feels outside. In the winter or in colder
climates, temperate and wind speed are combined to produce the wind chill,
which is a measure of how cold it feels outside. Why are these separate?
When it's cold, the humidity in the air has less of an impact on the temperature,
because the air holds less moisture when it's cold. However, a brisk wind
on a cold day can make it feel 10 or more degrees cooler than it actually
is outside. When it's warm, the air holds more moisture, producing a muggy
feeling, particularly when the air isn't moving. That muggy feeling makes
it feel hotter than it actually is. A breeze is nice in the summertime,
but a hot wind doesn't do much to make it feel much cooler outside.
UV Index
What is this? The UV (Ultraviolet) Index indicates the day's exposure
to ultraviolet rays. The UV index is measured around noon for a one-hour
period and rated on a scale of 0-15. What Does UV Index Mean to Me? Long-term
exposure to UV rays has been proven to be harmful. Index Number Exposure
Level
0-2 Minimal
3-4 Low
5-6 Moderate
7-9 High
10+ Very High
On clear days during the summer, exposure to UV rays
can be particularly high. Clouds, fog, mist and smog all cut down the
body's exposure to UV rays. To avoid getting sunburnt, one should always
apply sunblock and wearing hats is highly recommended on days when the
UV levels are high.The ultraviolet index is a forecast of the ultraviolet
intensity at the Earth's surface, taken over a one-hour period around
noon. It is measured once a day. Clouds will affect the intensity, measured
on a scale of 0-15. (10+ is considered very high). People need to have
to apply sun block and dress appropriately to avoid getting sunburnt.
Hats are recommended on high-UV days. The heat index and temperature can
affect the UV Index, but not directly.
Visibility
What is this? Visibility is the distance one can see at ground level.
On clear days, visibility can stretch for dozens of miles. But haze, smog,
fog and clouds will all reduce visibility at ground level. What Does Visibility
Mean to Me? Visibility is particularly important for pilots, drivers and
boaters, because reduced visibility makes it more difficult to see potential
obstacles, giving the operator far less time to react. Visibility tends
to be low in the early morning hours, as morning fog is common in many
areas.
Wind Chill
What is this?The main difference between actual temperature and the way
it feels when factoring in the wind speed. Wind reduces the amount of
body heat one retains, so the effects of outdoor temperatures on the body
must factor in the current wind chill. How Does Wind Chill Affect Me?
Wind speed and temperature are factored together to compute the wind chill,
which measures how cold it feels outside (the apparent temperature). The
colder the temperature, the greater the impact of wind speed on the apparent
temperature.
Wind Speed
What is this? The speed at which the wind is moving at compared to the
ground. What Does Wind Speed Mean for Me? Wind speed mainly affects the
wind chill, which in turn affects the outside weather.
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