Overnight temperatures are warmer when the air is humid because:
A) water vapor and clouds cause the Earth system to have a higher nighttime albedo.
B) water vapor is a good absorber of incoming shortwave radiation, causing more energy to be stored during the day.
C) water vapor is good at scattering longwave radiation.
D) water vapor is a good absorber of outgoing longwave radiation.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Water vapor is a good absorber of outgoing longwave radiation, which means it traps more of the heat that would normally escape from the Earth's surface into space. This results in warmer overnight temperatures when the air is humid.

Overnight Temperatures Are Warmer When the Air Is Humid Because