Which of the following correctly describes the dew point?

The dew point is defined as the temperature at which air becomes saturated with moisture and can no longer hold all of the water vapor present, leading to condensation. When the air temperature cools to the dew point, the air reaches 100% relative humidity, and any additional cooling results in moisture condensing into liquid water, forming dew, fog, or clouds.

This characteristic of the dew point is important in meteorology because it indicates the amount of moisture in the air; a higher dew point suggests more moisture, while a lower dew point indicates drier air. Understanding the dew point helps predict weather conditions and phenomena related to humidity.

The other options do not accurately describe the concept of the dew point. The first choice suggests a state where air holds no moisture at all, which is not how the dew point functions at saturation. The maximum humidity level is not defined by the dew point alone, as it can vary with temperature and pressure. Lastly, the lowest temperature recorded during the night refers specifically to night-time temperature readings, which is unrelated to the concept of dew point and moisture condensation.