Which condition will generally result in lower relative humidity?

Increasing temperature will generally result in lower relative humidity because, as air temperature rises, its capacity to hold moisture also increases. Relative humidity is defined as the amount of moisture present in the air compared to the maximum amount of moisture the air can hold at that temperature, expressed as a percentage.

When the temperature increases, even if the actual amount of moisture in the air remains constant, the relative humidity decreases since warm air can hold more water vapor than cooler air. This principle is crucial in understanding weather patterns and fire behavior, as lower relative humidity can lead to increased drying of fuels, potentially elevating fire risks.

In contrast, conditions such as precipitation and nighttime typically increase relative humidity, as water enters the atmosphere or temperatures drop, allowing air to hold less moisture. Higher fuel moisture also corresponds with increased relative humidity, as it indicates more water present in the environment.