Record humidity across world brings warning of health risks

CLIMATE change drove record levels of global humidity in 2024, posing a rising risk to people’s health, a new report has warned.

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The latest “State of the Climate” report published by the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society (BAMS) found 2024 set new records for levels of water vapour in the atmosphere and the number of humid days.

Climate change is driving the increased humidity, as a warmer atmosphere can hold more moisture.

And when combined with rising temperatures - with 2024 recording record heat globally - the increase in hot, humid conditions is bringing more people into “potentially life-threatening situations,” experts have warned.

People find it harder to cool down in hot and humid conditions because sweating is less effective than in dry heat, and continued physical activity during high humid heat can lead to serious health issues, the experts warn.