Humidity makes it feel hotter than it actually is because of the way our bodies regulate heat through the process of evaporative cooling. When the air is humid, it contains a higher amount of moisture or water vapor. This high moisture content affects our body's ability to cool itself effectively.
When we feel hot, our bodies produce sweat. As the sweat evaporates from our skin, it carries away heat energy, which cools us down. However, when the air is already saturated with moisture (high humidity), the rate of evaporation slows down significantly. This means that the sweat cannot evaporate as efficiently, and the cooling effect is reduced.
As a result, we feel hotter and more uncomfortable in humid conditions because our bodies struggle to cool down effectively. High humidity can also make it difficult for sweat to evaporate from our skin, leading to a sticky and clammy feeling.
On the other hand, in low-humidity conditions, the air can absorb more moisture, which allows sweat to evaporate rapidly from the skin, enhancing the cooling effect. This is why dry heat may feel more tolerable compared to the same temperature in high-humidity environments.
In summary, humidity affects our perception of temperature because it influences how effectively our bodies can cool down through the process of evaporation. High humidity hinders the evaporation of sweat, making it feel hotter, while low humidity allows for more efficient evaporation and a more comfortable sensation of heat.