How does relative humidity behave in relation to air mass temperature changes?

The correct understanding of the relationship between relative humidity and air mass temperature changes is that relative humidity actually decreases with rising temperature. This occurs because relative humidity is defined as the ratio of the current amount of water vapor in the air to the maximum amount of water vapor that the air can hold at a given temperature.

As temperature increases, the capacity of air to hold moisture also increases. Therefore, if the amount of water vapor in the air remains constant while the temperature rises, the relative humidity will decrease. This is crucial for pilots to understand as it affects visibility, weather conditions, and aircraft performance.

Understanding this relationship is essential for flight planning and operation. Recognizing that relative humidity decreases as temperature rises helps pilots anticipate changes in atmospheric conditions and prepare accordingly.