🌡️ Virtual Temperature Calculator
Calculate the virtual temperature of moist air, the temperature dry air would need to match the density of humid air at the same pressure.
What This Calculator Does
Virtual temperature is a meteorological concept: it’s the temperature dry air would need to have to match the density of a sample of moist air at the same pressure. Because water vapor is less dense than dry air, virtual temperature is always slightly higher than the actual air temperature.
The Formula
Saturation vapor pressure is estimated with the Bolton (1980) formula, eṢ = 6.112 × exp(17.67T/(T+243.5)) hPa. Actual vapor pressure e = (RH/100) × eṢ, and the mixing ratio is w = 0.622 × e / (p − e). Virtual temperature (in Kelvin) is then Tṧ = T × (1 + 0.61w).
Note: This calculation is used in atmospheric science and aviation density-altitude work. It is intended for general and educational use, not for certified weather forecasting.