Humidity

In real life

Why is measuring humidity important in these real-life situations:

athletes preparing for the Olympics
very low humidity in local bushland
the incidence of disease in Australia and other countries?

A hygrometer is used to measure humidity.

Using a hygrometer

A hygrometer measures the relative humidity (the amount of moisture in the air compared with what the air could hold).

Equatorial regions have high levels of humidity. Cities in south East Asia such as Bangkok, Thailand and Manila, Philippines are located in these tropical regions. In contrast, deserts have the lowest levels of humidity. Places such as Antarctica and the Atacama Desert, Chile have among the lowest levels of humidity in the world.

How to use a hygrometer.

Find out more

Go to the Riverina Environmental Education Centre for more information about humidity.

Quiz question

What is the ideal level of humidity?