The condensation of moisture onto cool surfaces at night, forming water droplets visible at dawn.
basicWhat is Dew Formation?
Dew forms on clear, calm nights when surfaces cool through radiative cooling to below the dew point temperature. Dew is most abundant on grass, car windshields, and metal surfaces. In the tropics, dew formation is less prominent than in temperate climates because overnight temperatures rarely drop far below the dew point due to high ambient humidity.
Key points
- The condensation of moisture onto cool surfaces at night, forming water droplets visible at dawn.
- Category: basic
Related terms
See also: dew-formation is connected to other weather concepts. Browse the full glossary for related definitions.