When the heat index is between 80 and 90 degrees, fatigue is possible the longer you're outside and/or with physical activity. You’ll want to take precautions when the heat index gets higher. What should I know about heat index when I see certain numbers this summer? Here's a chart and formula you can bookmark to determine the heat index in your city. Staying hydrated then is necessary to replenish your body.

And when your body gets too warm, you'll begin to sweat more. It's important to pay attention to this number because this is what the temperature feels like to your body. The heat index combines relative humidity with the air temperature.

What does the heat index mean and why is it important during the summer?ĭuring especially hot days you'll hear the term heat index being used in addition to the actual temperature. The dew point is taken into consideration for a heat index. A dew point greater than 65 signals there is a lot of moisture in the air, and it becomes 'oppressive' being outside. When a dew point is between 55 and 65 that's when there is more moisture in the air and it's becoming 'sticky' out. The air should be comfortable for you when you're outdoors in this range. So, what does a low and high dew point mean?Ī dew point less than 55 means the air is dry, the National Weather Service notes. When a dew point is higher, your body will begin to feel the muggy air. What are the various levels of dew point that I should know? That's why fog often forms when the temperature and dew point are the same.īut a greater relative humidity doesn't mean you'll feel less comfortable. What happens when dew point and temperature are the same?ĭew points can't be greater than the actual temperature, but when the relative humidity reaches 100% - it does this when the temperature and dew point are the same - that is the maximum amount of moisture in the air for that temperature. In its simplest terms, dew point evaluates the amount of moisture in the air and is the temperature the air needs to be cooled to reach a relative humidity of 100%, according to the National Weather Service. What is dew point in simple terms?ĭew point is a term to keep track of all summer. Here's what they mean and some other things to know about summer. The warmer temps mean you'll be hearing a lot of summer terms used by meteorologists and others over the next few months. And don't expect a blast of cold air as temperatures are expected to be above average next week as well. Temperatures in Milwaukee are forecast to be in the upper 80s and low 90s Thursday and into the weekend. While it's not officially summer yet, it certainly feels like it around Milwaukee and Wisconsin.

7 day dew point forecast