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Air Temperature

Air temperature, known more accurately as near surface or ground level air temperature is measured with a thermometer. The most common unit used to record termperature is the Celsius scale with the unit symbol °C (centigrade). Others include the Fahrenheit scale (°F), and the Kelvin scale (K) (SI units: (k)).

For some points of reference (generally speaking);

  • pure water freezes at 0°C/32°F/273k
  • a sustained wet bulb temperature (where it's impossible to lose body heat through sweating and maintain body temperature) exceeding 35°C/95°F/308k may be fatal even to fit and healthy humans who are semi-nude, in the shade and next to a fan
  • average body temperature in humans is between 36°C/97°F/309k and 36.8°C/98°F/310k
  • direct cell death can occur at body temperatures nearing 41°C/105.8°F/314k
  • pure water boils at 100°C/212°F/373k

Air temperatures for weather reporting purposes are recorded using one or more sheltered thermometer readings, where the device is 1-2m above the ground and sheltered from rain, direct and indirect sunlight and air movement such as wind. Because of this, temperatures reported by weather services are often very different to those experienced by your body, which is likely exposed to one or more of; breeze, rain, snow, sunlight, wind and other phenomena. Humidity is also a significant factor.

Air temperature is one of many factors that play a part in;

  • the body temperature of all living organisms
  • bacterial, fungal and viral life and reproduction (high temperatures end life and low temperatures prevent or reduce reproduction)
  • the physical properties of materials including; the phase (solid, liquid, gaseous or plasma), density, solubility, electrical conductivity, hardness, wear resistance, thermal conductivity, corrosion resistance and/or strength
  • the rate and extent to which chemical reactions occur
  • the amount and properties of thermal radiation emitted from the surface of an object
  • the speed of sound

Random Facts

Using the Celsius scale, 0° is the freezing point of water at atmospheric pressure (1 atm/bar) at sea level. 100°C Is the boiling point of water at atmospheric pressure at sea level. These freezing and boiling points do change at lower pressures at higher altitudes. In a vacuum water will boil

References

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Created: 2026-07-06

Last Updated: 2026-07-09