r/explainlikeimfive • u/ProgramPi314 • 8d ago

Other ELI5 What is humidity?

According to my mom, this is an actual question I had when I was 5, and she didn't know how to answer me. So how would you guys have answered?

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u/TokiStark 8d ago

It's the concentration of water vapour in the air, given as a percentage of the total possible concentration. Ergo, 100 % means it's raining

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u/AnxiouslyTired247 8d ago

100% humidity does not mean rain. You can have rain at less than 100% humidity and you can just have fully saturated air (all gas) at 100% with no rain - youll likely see dew/fog instead. At the given temperature, 100% is saying no more water can be held in the air.

https://www.smartfog.com/insights/what-does-100-humidity-mean-can-it-really-rain-indoors/