Austin v. Houston weather (May-Sept)

[sagewithaflaw]

Houston may not be in the top 5 of that list, but if you look at all 10:

1. Quillayute/Forks, Washington (83.5)
2. Mount Washington, New Hampshire (83 percent)
3. Astoria, Oregon (81 percent)
4. Port Arthur, Texas (80 percent)
5. Lake Charles, Louisiana (79.5 percent)
6. Corpus Christi, Texas (78.5 percent)
7. Victoria, Texas (78.5 percent)
8. Brownsville, Texas (78 percent)
9. Houston, Texas (78 percent)
10. Olympia, Washington (78 percent)

Via Sticky Business: The Ten Most Humid Cities in America - DivineCaroline

... you will see that Houston and nearby coastal cities occupy 5 of the top 10 list. The difference between #9 Houston and #1 Quillayute is only 5.5%, which is almost negligible - I doubt most of us would notice a +/- 5% difference in the humidity. Also, another thing to consider is heat -- in Quillayute, the average summer temperature doesn't rise above 70 according to that source, and other than the Louisiana city, the rest of the cities are in the PNW and have much lower summer temps as well. The bottom line I guess is that the most uncomfortable summers in the country are clearly in coastal Texas.

I'll agree that it's less miserable in Austin than Houston, but coming from Phoenix, both are much too muggy for me.

[intmd8r]

Yes, and the weather.com article (I'll have to try and see if I can find it later; it was like 2 years ago! ) was indeed talking about temps along with humidity. It mentioned humidity not being as oppressive with cooler temps, so I believe it was saying that Houston and the Florida Keys FELT the most uncomfortable in the US (combining temps and humidity).

Don't get me wrong, I'm sure it's going to be hot and humid in Austin (especially after spending 11 years in Phoenix), but I do believe Houston would feel worse. Maybe I'm wrong, because I've only been the airport in Houston, so I'm not speaking from extended personal experience.

[Trainwreck20]

The difference between #9 Houston and #1 Quillayute is only 5.5%, which is almost negligible - I doubt most of us would notice a +/- 5% difference in the humidity.

But you are missing the mechanics of humidity - that 5.5% difference in absolute humidity represent a 25% decrease in the remaining moisture capacity of the air (5.5/22), or looking at it in reverse, Houston has 33% more moisture-holding capacity than the top city. Most people WILL notice that difference. Again, in reality, the effect is somewhere between, but as you approach 100% humidity, the effects become more pronounced.