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VERIFY: Why A 50-Degree Fall Day Feels Different From A 50-Degree Spring Day

You ask; we VERIFY. You feel colder on a damp day than you do a dry one, regardless of temperature.

GREENSBORO, N.C. — It's one of the most challenging times of the year to dress properly. Do you ever notice the same temperature feels different, depending on the day, the conditions and the season?

VERIFY QUESTION

Credit: Jeff Bare via E-mail

VERIFY SOURCE

WFMY News 2 Meteorologist Eric Chilton looked into this inquiry and found a helpful source from Weather Nation.

VERIFY PROCESS

Chilton explained how cold a day feels depends not on the season but rather the humidity and clothing.

A cold, dry 50-degree day will often feel warmer than a cold, humid 50-degree day.

That's why, Weather Nation points out, a cold day in the southeast U.S. feels colder than a cold day in the southwest U.S.

Interestingly, layering on clothes on a cold, humid day won't help with warmth. Weather Nation explains, "As the humidity increases in cold air, the clothing we wear to keep warm insulates less. The moisture in the fibers and the wicking effect of the clothes can accelerate the heat loss through clothing."

That happens because the humidity creates a thin layer of moisture on clothing fibers and causes a transfer of heat through the clothes.

VERIFY CONCLUSION

A dry fall 50-degree day could feel warmer than a wet spring 50-degree day, based on humidity and heat transfer from clothing.

Do you have VERIFY? Submit a post or selfie video to Meghann Mollerus via:

Facebook: Meghann Mollerus News

E-mail: MMollerus@wfmy.com

Twitter: MeghannMollerus

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