What is 'dew point'?

Question

When they say dew point on the weather channel, what does it mean?

Answer 1

As air gets warmer it can hold more moisture, as it cools it can hold less. Dew point is the temperature, that it would start to precipitate, because the air could not hold the amount of water that it did. It is dependent on the humidity(amount of water in the air)

Answer 2

Dew point refers to a temperature which is different from the air temperature we are familiar with.It will be usually less than the air temperature(for an unsaturated air).It gives an idea about the amount of moisture in the air.If the dew point temperature is equall to the air temperature,then the relative humidity will be 100 percent.
The capacity of the air in holding the moisture, increases with temperature.That means,if the air is unsaturated and holds some amount of water vapour at a particular temperature,then the same amount of of water vapour may be able to saturate the air at a lower temperature and this will be indicated by the commencement of condensation.
Hence the dew point is defined as the temperature at which air would become saturated if it were cooled sufficiently, a further lowering of this temperature being responsible for spontaneous condensation.

Answer 3

The dew point is the temperature which air must be cooled, at a given pressure and water vapor content, for it to reach saturation. It is also the temperature at which dew begins to form and when the dew point and temp are nearly at the same temp fog will form. Humans react to the dew point also, any dewpoint above 65 will make it feel uncomfortable outside.

Answer 4

There is a certain amount of water vapor in the air. The dew point is the temperature below which the water will begin to condense.

Answer 5

The point at which your energy drink kicks in?

Nah! Poster #1 is completely correct and did a nice job explaining what it is.