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Which consequence does that relation have for a warming climate?

  • A.There is no consequence
  • B.The total amount of water in the atmosphere remains fixed because the oceans supply a limited quantity only
  • C.The moisture content of the air rises about 7 per cent per kelvin
  • D.The relative humidity falls steadily as the temperature rises, since the air cannot be moistened fast enough

Answer: C

With relative humidity approximately conserved, the actual moisture content follows the saturation value and rises about 7 per cent for each kelvin of warming. Satellite observations confirm both the constancy of relative humidity and the resulting increase in column water vapour. This is the basis of the water vapour feedback and of projections of intensifying extreme rainfall. Working one numerical case through both cases side by side fixes the distinction better than any rule of thumb.

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