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Need a better way to check the weather this summer? Try the dew point

Getty Images / aloha_17

Going on a run or planning a Fourth of July extravaganza and curious about how muggy it's going to be out? If so, we have just the ticket for you in this encore episode. Former Short Wave co-host Maddie Sofia chats with former producer Thomas Lu about relative humidity and why some meteorologists are telling us to pay more attention to dew point temperature, not relative humidity.

Plus — how moisture in the air and temperature influence the way our body "feels" when we're outside.

Click here for the National Weather Service Heat Index chart referenced in the episode.


Interested in more space episodes? Email us your question at shortwave@npr.org.

Listen to every episode of Short Wave sponsor-free and support our work at NPR by signing up for Short Wave+ at plus.npr.org/shortwave.

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This episode was produced by Thomas Lu and Rachel Carlson. It was edited by Rebecca Ramirez and Gisele Grayson. Tyler Jones checked the facts, and the audio engineers were Maggie Luthar and Kwesi Lee.

Copyright 2025 NPR

Emily Kwong (she/her) is the reporter for NPR's daily science podcast, Short Wave. The podcast explores new discoveries, everyday mysteries and the science behind the headlines — all in about 10 minutes, Monday through Friday.
Thomas Lu (he/him) is a producer for NPR's science podcast, Short Wave. The podcast is a perfect equation of curiosity, nerdiness and everyday discoveries.
Maddie Sofia
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