Why the dew point is the best way to represent humidity

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- A common misconception in the weather world is "the relative humidity is 90%, it has to be humid!"

Well, not necessarily.

In fact, the best way to measure humidity is actually the dew point temperature- the temperature that if the air cools to it, the air becomes saturated. 

The higher the dew point means the more humid it is. 

Dew points above 60 degrees indicate humid conditions. 65 degrees indicates very humid to uncomfortable conditions. Dew points over 70 degrees are very tropical to disgusting. 

The main difference between relative humidity and the dew point is relative humidity is dependent on the air temperature. Meaning, if the air warms above the dew point, the relative humidity % drops. 

Therefore, it can still be "humid" with a dew point of 65 degrees, but the air temperature can be 90 degrees which makes the relative humidity fall to 44%.

44% relative humidity does not seem humid. However, since the dew point is 65 degrees- it is humid.

The relative humidity is relative to the air temperature, which is why the dew point is the better way to measure how humid it feels outside.