Why is the air from gulf of Mexico so much more humid than pacific ocean at same latitude?

There are three main factors that contribute to the difference in humidity between the air from the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean at the same latitude:

1. Water Temperature: The temperature of the water plays a significant role in determining the amount of water vapor that can be held by the air above it. The Gulf of Mexico is a relatively shallow body of water, with an average depth of around 1,000 meters. This means that the water in the Gulf of Mexico warms up more easily, leading to higher water temperatures. Warmer water can hold more water vapor than cooler water, so the air above the Gulf of Mexico becomes more humid. On the other hand, the Pacific Ocean is a much deeper body of water, with an average depth of around 4,000 meters. The deeper water takes longer to warm up, resulting in lower water temperatures in the Pacific Ocean. As a result, the air above the Pacific Ocean tends to be less humid.

2. Wind Patterns: The prevailing wind patterns in a region also influence humidity. The Gulf of Mexico is located in the subtropics and is influenced by the easterly trade winds. These winds blow from the east and carry moisture from the Atlantic Ocean over the Gulf of Mexico. The moisture is then released as rain or thunderstorms over the Gulf of Mexico and surrounding areas, contributing to the high humidity levels. On the other hand, the Pacific Ocean is influenced by the prevailing westerlies, which blow from the west and carry drier air from the landmasses of North America and Asia. These winds tend to reduce the humidity levels over the Pacific Ocean.

3. Land-Sea Interaction: The presence of landmasses near a body of water also plays a role in humidity levels. The landmass tends to heat up more quickly than the water during the day, leading to the formation of a low-pressure area over the land. This low-pressure area draws moist air from the ocean, increasing humidity levels in coastal areas. The Gulf of Mexico is surrounded by landmasses on all sides, including the southeastern United States, Mexico, and Cuba. This land-sea interaction contributes to the higher humidity levels in the air from the Gulf of Mexico. In contrast, the Pacific Ocean is much wider and has fewer large landmasses nearby. This results in less land-sea interaction and subsequently lower humidity levels.