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Southern New Mexico, where I live. The wind as SunGrins said, can be a challenge but it's not as if it's most of the time. And even when it is windy, that's not usually a factor unless the sun is behind clouds, which isn't often.
I don't get the OP, I'd think ABQ like Denver would be an answer to this thread, not the counterpoint. ABQ in my experience gets very cold at night but tends to be really sunny and pleasant in the day time.
I think it's primarily about expectations. In colder climates people are more accustomed to layering up and it feels less cumbersome to do so. In warmer climates you forget where you put your gloves and scarves and are underdressed when you go out on a cold day. When you are out skiing you are wearing extremely warm clothing. Additionally colder climates have better insulated buildings.
Beyond that, yes sun and wind make a huge difference. I think here in Texas it's rare for it get cold, and when that does happen it's usually the peak of a cold front which also includes high winds and cloud cover. So 32 degrees ends up feeling very cold most of the time. I don't believe that humidity makes much of a difference in the winter beyond the fact that dry air destroys your lips and knuckles, so if anything some humidity is a positive IMO.
Have you ever experienced 40 degrees in Houston then in Denver? It's nowhere near the same.
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Have you ever experienced 40 degrees in Houston then in Denver? It's nowhere near the same.
I think that has more to do with sun and wind. Houston doesn't get to 40 degrees unless their is an active front and that generally comes with rain, clouds, and wind. Denver can be 40 degrees on a still, clear day.
The main impact of humidity on comfort is that it prevents your sweat from evaporating, and that is only relevant in the heat. The secondary impact is that it makes the air more thermally conductive, but I don't think that is all that significant. IMO the dry air on your hands and lips is worse.
Plus as I mentioned there is an expectation difference. In Denver you are more ready and prepared for cold weather.
I think that has more to do with sun and wind. Houston doesn't get to 40 degrees unless their is an active front and that generally comes with rain, clouds, and wind. Denver can be 40 degrees on a still, clear day.
The main impact of humidity on comfort is that it prevents your sweat from evaporating, and that is only relevant in the heat. The secondary impact is that it makes the air more thermally conductive, but I don't think that is all that significant. IMO the dry air on your hands and lips is worse.
Plus as I mentioned there is an expectation difference. In Denver you are more ready and prepared for cold weather.
The reason why it's 40°F doesn't matter, and it gets to those temps frequently enough. And no it doesn't generally come with rain. Houston can also be 40 on a still, clear, and sunny day.
There was no expectation for me when I first visited Denver, it was 44 degrees and I thought my phones location was off or it was in Celsius. It felt about 20 degrees warmer than 44 degrees does along the Gulf. I went home to Baton Rouge one week and it was 44 degrees walking through downtown Baton Rouge, it felt like 20-30 degrees does here.
The reason why it's 40°F doesn't matter, and it gets to those temps frequently enough. And no it doesn't generally come with rain. Houston can also be 40 on a still, clear, and sunny day.
There was no expectation for me when I first visited Denver, it was 44 degrees and I thought my phones location was off or it was in Celsius. It felt about 20 degrees warmer than 44 degrees does along the Gulf. I went home to Baton Rouge one week and it was 44 degrees walking through downtown Baton Rouge, it felt like 20-30 degrees does here.
Expectation has little to do with it,
Isn't Denver fairly humid in the winter anyway? The idea that it feels 20-30 degrees warmer is ridiculous.
Not to me, and not compared to the south. 30 is a stretch but 20 is spot on.
I agree. I’ve lived in the upper Midwest and central gulf coast, and the gulf coast humidity makes this way more uncomfortable. Anything less than 45 on the gulf coast is pretty unpleasant, but a sunny, still 30 degree day in South Dakota can feel like comfortable hoodie weather.
Isn't Denver fairly humid in the winter anyway? The idea that it feels 20-30 degrees warmer is ridiculous.
Not as humid as Texas. Denver weather can be spectacular. Sometimes, you'll be out and you won't even realize it's 40 degrees.
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