To which meteorological condition does the term "dew point" refer?

The term "dew point" refers specifically to the temperature at which air becomes saturated with moisture, leading to the formation of dew. When the temperature of the air cools to the dew point, it can no longer hold all the moisture present in it, which results in condensation. This is a critical concept in meteorology because it gives insight into humidity levels and the potential for cloud formation or precipitation. Understanding dew point helps in weather forecasting and is important for assessing comfortable living conditions, as high dew points can indicate that the air is humid and may feel muggy.

The other options relate to different atmospheric phenomena but do not accurately describe dew point. The temperature of the surrounding air represents the current state rather than the point of saturation with moisture. Relative humidity measures the amount of moisture in the air compared to the maximum it can hold at a specific temperature, but it does not directly define the dew point. A pressure drop in the atmosphere refers to changes in atmospheric pressure, which can impact weather patterns but is distinct from the concept of dew point.