CHARLOTTE, N.C. — You've most likely adjusted the thermostat in your house recently, but even if you keep the temperature constantly at 70 degrees year-round, that temperature feels different in summer compared to winter.
Have you ever wondered why? Let's raise that Weather IQ and learn why.
Why our homes feel different in the winter?
Moisture influences how we feel. During the winter, colder temperatures drive down the amount of moisture in the air because cold air cannot hold as much moisture as warm air.
NOTE: The amount of moisture in the air is measured by the dew point. So the lower the dew point, the drier it is.
Relative humidity measures the percentage of how much moisture is in the air. For example, if you have a glass that represents the atmosphere outside, if the relative humidity is 50%, the glass is half full of moisture.
During the winter, dry air comes into our homes and is then warmed by our heaters. This increasing temperature expands the container (or the amount of moisture the air can hold). This can make comfortable air outside feel bone dry, creating humidity values at below 10-20%.
This lower relative humidity leads to enhanced static electricity, causing us to zap ourselves on door knobs, have very dry skin, more static cling and staticky hair that does not give us best hair days.
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Why does 70 inside feel different in the winter compared to summer?
There are multiple factors but the main reason is the dry air. Dry air causes evaporation of the moisture from our skin which in the process makes us feel cooler. Meanwhile humid air hinders evaporation doing the opposite.
This is why people often use humidifiers during the winter time and dehumidifier during the summertime.
Lastly, temperature can be subjective. If it's 70 degrees inside during the summer, that 20-degree quick cooldown feels nice. Conversely, 70 degrees on an average January afternoon would be a delightful 20-degree warmup when you walk indoors.
Contact Chris Mulcahy at cmulcahy@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.