Effective temperature considers the combined effects of which two factors?

Effective temperature is a measure that accounts for the combined effects of humidity and temperature on human comfort. It goes beyond simply measuring air temperature; it factors in how humidity alters our perception of that temperature.

When humidity is high, sweat does not evaporate as efficiently from the skin, making it feel hotter than the actual temperature. Conversely, when humidity is low, the body cools off more quickly, which can make it feel cooler than the recorded temperature. Thus, effective temperature provides a more accurate depiction of how hot or cold it actually feels to a person by integrating these two critical environmental factors.

The consideration of temperature in isolation does not give a complete picture of thermal comfort, and that's why the interaction between humidity and temperature is vital in forming the concept of effective temperature.