When discussing summer heat, most people focus on the air temperature. However, another measurement called wet bulb temperature can provide a better understanding of how dangerous the heat really is.
Wet bulb temperature combines both air temperature and humidity into a single value. It represents the lowest temperature that can be reached through the evaporation of water. Since the human body relies on sweat evaporating to cool itself, high humidity reduces the effectiveness of this natural cooling process.
For example, a day with an air temperature of 95°F and low humidity may be uncomfortable, but your body can still cool itself efficiently. On the other hand, a day with 90°F temperatures and very high humidity can feel much more oppressive because sweat cannot evaporate as easily.
As wet bulb temperatures rise, the risk of heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke increases. This is especially important for people working outdoors, athletes, the elderly, and anyone without access to air conditioning.
Across Southeast Texas, high humidity often pushes wet bulb temperatures to uncomfortable levels during the summer months. That’s why it’s important to stay hydrated, take frequent breaks when outdoors, and pay attention to heat safety information—not just the air temperature.
Understanding wet bulb temperature helps explain why some hot days feel much worse than others and why humidity can be just as important as the temperature itself.
