32 Celsius in July in Europe, is it like being in the tropics ?

That depends on the location in Europe : in Amsterdam where a mild sea climate covers the country, yes 32 Celsius and a humidity higher than 75 % is a tropical climate.  If in Lyon ( France ) in July 32 Celsius will probably be associated with only 50 % of humidity and this would be far too dry for a tropical climate. In Madrid the heat can reach about 40 Celsius with humidity below 20 %. In Las Vegas ( Nevada, USA ) the humidity will be even lower when the thermometer reads 40 Celsius.

This combination of high temperature and low humidity is a real issue for tropical plants that are in the process of acclimatizing or rooting without plastic covers of foggers.



Average relative humidity in Lyon, France

Average min and max temperatures in Lyon, France

 

 

 The sensation of being overheated ( like in the tropics ) will be stronger in Amsterdam - and really tropical - than in Lyon because this subjective effect , called the heat index, results from the higher vapor content of the surrounding air that does not allow the maximum amount of evaporation from the body. The chart below shows that in Amsterdam 32 Celsius and 75 % of humidity result in a perceived heat of 42 Celsius while in Lyon the same real temperature will be perceived as only 34 Celsius since the humidity will be 50% in this French town 

 

 

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