What does the term "dew point" indicate?

The term "dew point" refers to the temperature at which air becomes saturated with moisture. When air temperature cools to the dew point, it can no longer hold all the moisture in the form of vapor, leading to the condensation of water vapor into liquid, which can manifest as dew, fog, or clouds.

Understanding dew point is crucial in aviation because it helps forecast weather conditions. For instance, a high dew point indicates that the air is moist, which can lead to clouds and precipitation, while a lower dew point suggests drier air. This is especially relevant for pilots and meteorologists who need to anticipate potential icing in clouds or the likelihood of turbulence associated with moist air.

While the formation of clouds is related to dew point, it is not defined solely by this temperature; rather, it is the result of the air reaching the saturation point, which is indeed what the dew point indicates.