Humidity is defined as the amount of water vapour present in the air. If humidity is high, it means that there are a lot of water molecules in the air.
Besides humidity, one has to consider other factors when ranking cities in terms of "most humid". For example, if it rains a lot or if there is a high mist in the air (i.e., low relative humidity), then this can affect the actual water content of various locations.
Another parameter is the temperature. A hot climate is likely to produce less humidity than a cold climate because of the lower evaporation rate from warm surroundings (and consequently lower relative humidity).
The following list shows which are the 20 most humid cities in the world.
1. Hoi An, Vietnam
With annual precipitation of 1120 pluviometer units, this city is soaked. The high level of humidity and frequent rainfall combined create one of the most pleasant weather climates in the world.
2. Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Bishkek experiences strong cold air and dry air exchange resulting in very low relative humidities inside its buildings. Without a proper dehumidification system installed there is almost no possibility of developing mould or bacteria in buildings due to fewer humidity levels. The average humidity is 70% and the average annual temperature is +6.1 °C (43 °F).
3. Singapore, Singapore
At 80% humidity, Singapore ranks third on our list of the most humid cities in the world. The tropical climate contributes to this high level of moisture, but it's not all bad — it also leads to some of the hottest weather around.
4. Panama City, Panama
As one of the hottest, wettest, and most sunny spots in Central America, Panama City is considered one of the most humid cities on Earth. It has an average relative humidity that varies between 77% and 87% depending on the time of year (Koppen classification Cfa). In summer, temperatures average about 32 °C (90 °F).
5. Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
The high humidity combined with the laid-back Caribbean climate make Santo Domingo one of the most humid cities in the world. At 88% relative humidity and a temperature of around 30 °C (86 °F) during the hottest months, this city sees a few days where it doesn't rain.
6. Montevideo, Uruguay
Another humid city on our list, Montevideo is rather dry compared to other places on Earth. It has a high of 33 °C (91 °F) during the summer months and a low of 18 °C (64 °F) in the winter. The average annual rainfall is only around 120 millimetres, which is below what you would expect for such a tropical area. Still, it's almost always muggy in Montevideo — especially at night.
7. Lusaka, Zambia
An extremely humid city located on the banks of the world's fourth-longest river, Lusaka has an average annual rainfall of 1,070 mm (42 in). This makes it one of the wettest cities in all of Africa. The average relative humidity is 83%, so warm days are pretty rare.
8. N'Djamena, Chad
One of the driest cities on Earth, N'Djamena experiences very high air and ground temperatures. With an average temperature of 27 °C (81 °F), this city's dry climate allows for a very narrow range in humidity. In addition to its dry climate, N'Djamena is also extremely hot and humid during the summer months with an average temperature of 30 °C (86 °F).
9. Monrovia, Liberia
The capital of the West African nation of Liberia, this city is one of the wettest in Africa. It averages 1,040 mm (40 in) of rainfall every year and weekly temperatures are usually around 32 °C (90 °F). The annual relative humidity is 85%, so it almost seems like it's always raining.
10. Colombo, Sri Lanka
A bustling metropolis that is home to more than 750,000 people, Colombo has a climate type classified as tropical wet and dry or savannah. It sits alongside the Indian Ocean and experiences a typically tropical climate with very little seasonal variation. The average annual temperature is 27 °C (81 °F).
11. Abidjan, Ivory Coast
Abidjan is no tropical paradise, but it's not quite as dry or dusty as you might expect from a country that ranks 125th in the world for overall precipitation. Still, it does lack some of the moisture and high humidity that can come with a subtropical climate.
Instead, it averages around 300 mm (12 in) of rainfall and sees fewer than 10 intense rainstorms each year. The average relative humidity is only 79% and the average annual temperature is around 29 °C (84 °F).
12. Tripoli, Libya
The capital city of Libya is situated on the Mediterranean Sea and is considered to be one of the driest and wettest cities in North Africa. During the winter months, it experiences a fairly dry climate with average temperatures of around 17 °C (63 °F). However, in summer some days reach 38 °C (100 °F) — usually at night. At around 85% relative humidity, this city experiences some of the highest humidities on Earth.
13. Caracas, Venezuela
With an average annual temperature of 28 °C (82 °F), Caracas has a much more temperate climate than most other places in South America. It sits in a tropical zone and experiences abundant precipitation, high humidity, and frequent rainstorms. The average relative humidity is between 82% and 88%, with an average of 2001 mm (80 in) of rainfall each year.
14. El Aaiun, Western Sahara
El Aaiun is the capital city of Western Sahara, which was annexed by Morocco in 1976. This city has a very dry climate with annual precipitation of only 430 mm (16 in). The relative humidity averages at 81% and the annual temperature are around 29 °C (84 °F).
15. Bamako, Mali
Bamako is the capital and largest city in Mali. It has a tropical climate and receives an average of 1,872 mm (73 in) of rainfall each year. The average relative humidity is approximately 84% and the average annual temperature is around 27 °C (81 °F).
16. Kinshasa, Congo
Located on the banks of the Congo River, Kinshasa experiences a tropical wet-and-dry climate. Despite being very humid all year round, it's only infrequently hit by rainstorms. The annual precipitation here averages at 1,070 mm (42 in), while the relative humidity maxes out at 84%.
17. Aba Island, Nigeria
The city of Aba Island is located in the Niger River Delta, and it is one of the hottest places in Nigeria. It has an average annual temperature of around 32 °C (90 °F) and precipitation levels range from 1,272 mm (50 in) to 1,930 mm (76 in). Humidity levels are high, with an average relative humidity of 84% and temperatures that can sometimes exceed 38 °C (100 °F).
18. Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
One of the hottest places in Africa — if not the world — this city is regularly suffering from heatwaves. On average, temperatures here reach up to 50 °C (122 °F) with a relative humidity of 84%. In addition to the heat, there are frequent floods and tropical storms.
19. Abeche, Central African Republic
One of the most sparsely populated cities in Africa, Abeche experiences extreme seasonal temperature variations. The average annual temperature is around 24 °C (75 °F). During the summer months when the temperature rises above 35 °C (95 °F), it's common for temperatures to exceed 50 °C (122 °F). In winter, temperatures can drop below −20 °C (–4 °F).
20. Asmara, Eritrea
The capital city of Eritrea is situated on a high plateau and is characterized by relatively low temperatures. Average annual temperatures range from 12 °C (55 °F) to 18 °C (64 °F). In general, the climate of Asmara is dry.
The average annual rainfall here is 598 mm (23 in), which is about half the amount observed in other cities within the same region. However, the summer months see maximum temperatures reach 37 °C (99 °F) with a relative humidity of 84%.
The climate of every city on earth is different. These cities also have different weather conditions and climates to live in. They have their weather cycles, and seasons and have unique weather conditions prevailing throughout the year.
The climate of these cities might be appealing to some or might not be according to their preferences. Those who cannot adjust to the harsh climatic conditions may need to consider living in another place with pleasant weather throughout the year.
