Article
Article
Dew
Article By:
Hicks, Bruce B. Metcorps, Norris, Tennessee.
Last reviewed:November 2019
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.189600
The deposit of liquid water resulting from condensation of atmospheric water vapor to exposed surfaces that cool during the night. Dewfall is noticeable in the early morning after a calm, cool, clear night, usually as beads of liquid water on the outside and upward-facing surfaces of trees, buildings, and so forth. If the ground is moist, some of the condensed water can be the result of distillation of surface moisture. Dew forms when the surface temperature drops sufficiently to saturate air in contact with the surface (that is, when the surface drops to below the atmospheric dew-point temperature). When the surface cools to below freezing temperature, frost occurs. See also: Dew point; Frost
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