What does the term "saturation" mean in the context of humidity?

In the context of humidity, "saturation" refers to the point at which air holds the maximum amount of moisture it can at a given temperature. When air reaches this state, it cannot hold any more water vapor, leading to conditions where dew forms, clouds develop, or precipitation occurs. This concept is crucial in meteorology as it helps predict weather patterns and phenomena such as rainfall.

The maximum moisture capacity of air increases with temperature; therefore, warmer air can hold more water vapor than cooler air. Understanding saturation is essential for interpreting relative humidity levels and weather forecasts, as it directly influences the formation of clouds and precipitation.