| WHAT CAUSES THE CONDENSATION ON A GLASS OF ICE WATER?
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METEOROLOGIST JEFF HABY
It is often noticed that moisture will develop on a glass of ice water. With time, the moisture will build up and then slide down the glass
to form an area of water under and next to the glass. There is an important influence that can cause more or less moisture to form on the
glass. The primary influence is the dew point. Since ice water is at 32 F (0 C), all the dewpoint has to be is above this value in order
for condensation to occur. What happens is that the air immediately surrounding the glass of ice water is cooled close to freezing. Moisture
in the air will condense out once the temperature of the air drops below the initial dewpoint of the air. The higher the dewpoint then the
greater the amount of condensation that will occur over a given time. Thus, overall humid conditions (high dewpoint, high relative humidity)
will lead to a greater buildup of moisture over a given time on the glass. The glass will continue to condense out moisture when the dewpoint
is above freezing. Thus, the condensation will continue to build up on the glass as long as ice is still left to melt in the glass of ice
water. If the dewpoint is below freezing, then there can be no moisture that develops on the glass. This can occur in the home such as
on a cold dry winter day when the dewpoint in the home is below freezing.
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