humidity levels (Denver: live in, areas, county)

[mir86]

How is it that I'm reading about how painfully dry at times the air can be in Denver, but I just looked up the levels here in Tucson, AZ (where I'm from) compared to Denver and we are drier. I get eczema on my hands here during the winters if I forget to put lotion on, though some winters I'm fine.

Is the climate in Denver that much different from the more mountanous areas of southern AZ? other than the obvious fact that denver is colder?

[EscapeCalifornia]

I can't compare it to southern Arizona but the cold does make a difference as cold air can't hold as much water vapor. I believe the lower air pressure at higher elevations works the same way. So air that's 30% RH @ 6,000' @ 30 degrees contains less moisture than 30% RH at 2,000' @ 60 degrees.

[bhcompy]

cold and a bit windy at times(at least my experience from a month+ there in late winter).. arizona seemed to lack that wind. the wind helps dry you out

[mir86]

thanks, that makes sense now! it gets pretty windy here, especially in the mountains and we do get snow on our mountains that are right in Tucson.

[denverian]

I doubt if it's that much of a difference from Tucson. I moved to Denver from Orange County, CA, and I used to get dry hands there during winter, and especially during Santa Ana condition, when the dryness could be painful. We just run humidifiers at night and have really good hand lotion at all sinks! Summer humidity in Denver is perfect for me - not too humid, not too dry.

[mir86]

Originally Posted by denverian

I doubt if it's that much of a difference from Tucson. I moved to Denver from Orange County, CA, and I used to get dry hands there during winter, and especially during Santa Ana condition, when the dryness could be painful. We just run humidifiers at night and have really good hand lotion at all sinks! Summer humidity in Denver is perfect for me - not too humid, not too dry.

ya, taht's what I was thinking! On super cold winters, we get snow even! but the last time it snowed, it melted the next day..we were sad . are humidifiers expensive? it gets pretty humid during our summers because of the monsoon storms we get.

Thanks for comparing for me!

[80skeys]

Tuscon is much lower elevation, meaning a different climate. The general rule of thumb is 10 degees for every 1000 feet. Mountain elevations are divided into different zones of climate with different vegetation and temperatures because of this. I wouldn't say Tuscon climate is like Denver. Although the dryness is probably about the same, you are not going to feel the difference between 5% humidity and 8%.

[mir86]

ya, our elevation here is around 2,200 ft. on the north end of town I think it goes up a few hundred feet. Mt. Lemmon which is right on the NE side of town I believe goes up to 8,000 feet and I've never had a problem with the elevation there. that's why from reading everything, I was confused about why some people are needing all these humidifiers and sinus remedies.

No doubt the climate is not the same, just that the humidity levels seem pretty similar.

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by denverian

I doubt if it's that much of a difference from Tucson. I moved to Denver from Orange County, CA, and I used to get dry hands there during winter, and especially during Santa Ana condition, when the dryness could be painful. We just run humidifiers at night and have really good hand lotion at all sinks! Summer humidity in Denver is perfect for me - not too humid, not too dry.

Did you live in Denver in the winter without a humidifier and if so, how was it? Do you have a humidifier hooked up to the heater or are you using portables?

[Ludachris]

I can't comment on AZ, but coming from San Jose it's a major difference in the winter dryness. We run a whole-house humidifier in the winter and I still get itchy all over my body. The windows will be full of condensation in the mornings and I'm scratching my arms. Not sure if it's like that in AZ or not. I never had any dry skin issues in CA, nor did I ever really need to use lotion - but in NorCal the winters are damp and rainy half the time, so it's almost the opposite compared to the seasons out here in that regard.