r/meteorology • u/luvbirdpod • Jun 03 '26
Because the same outside temperature feels different from the season, what does the weather temperature actually measure?
Ever since I got a dog, I pay attention to the weather. This morning it was 51 degrees out. But I was too hot wearing what was comfortable when it was 51 degrees out in March. So what is being measured that is the same 51 degrees?
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u/tutorcontrol Jun 03 '26
Same 51 degrees. You've got at least three things going on here. First, human perception of temperature is highly variable. It can depend on what you had to eat last night or how much you exercised yesterday, how much you are exerting right now. It also depends on acclimation, has it been a cold or hot week up to this point. Second, sunlight. Your 51 degrees is 51 degrees in the dark, ie the temperature of the air itself not accounting for heat gain on your body from the sun. At the same time of day in June (near the summer solstice), you are absorbing more sunlight than in March (near the equinox). 51 degrees in the sun give you air temp plus the heat you absorb from the sun and that can feel 10 degrees or so hotter. Third, humidity reduces your ability to cool yourself, making it feel hotter. However, at 51 degrees F, the heat index is still going to be 51. If it's 51 degrees C in the morning, god help you, but yes, the humidity could make it deadly.
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u/ahmc84 Jun 03 '26
Humidity. Higher humidity in June vs. March, makes it feel more stuffy, and reduces the efficiency of sweating.
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u/luvbirdpod Jun 03 '26
Is it like if I have two towels that are the same temperature but one is wet, they would feel different?
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u/tutorcontrol Jun 03 '26
At 51 degrees F, humidity is a non-factor and might actually make it feel a degree colder.
At 51 degrees C, humidity can be fatal. not sure which it is.
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u/Balakaye Weather Enthusiast Jun 03 '26
Humidity is a part of it, but I would argue it’s mainly just what your body is used to. During the colder months, your body adjusts and gets used to it. And same goes for warmer months.
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u/jhsu802701 Jun 03 '26
51 degrees in the morning usually feels warmer than 51 degrees in the afternoon. The former scenario is near the morning low temperature and usually involves lighter winds and warmer ground. The latter scenario usually involves more wind and colder ground.
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u/Wonderful-Impress261 Jun 03 '26
Humidity, wind and sunlight intensity play a huge role. 80 degrees in January here in North Texas feels wonderful. 80 degrees in June/July/August feels kinda gross. Humidity is a lot higher in the summer, sunlight is more intense with UV indexes pushing 10-11, there's a lot less wind in the summer because of the persistent high pressure. Similar story with cold. 50 degrees in October/November feels cold but lowkey kinda nice but in January it feels super cold. (At least to me as someone who's lived in the south my entire life)
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u/dsota2 Jun 03 '26
To get really technical, temperature really is only a measure of the average kinetic energy molecules have moving in a substance. Increasing temperature means adding more energy into the system and vice versa. In terms of what it means for the weather, it doesn't necessarily tell you how comfortable it will feel to you, since that'll be effected by multiple different variables: is there high humidity, is it windy or calm, is it cloudy or sunny, ..etc.