i think so many folks simply dont grasp the idea of "dry conditions" - especially those in/near coastal areas of Eastern and Southern US.
I try to explain to friends who have never experienced 8% humidity- in 3 days my skin was dry and shriveled. And that was in Denver a few years back when they were setting a record of driest year recorded. Or sweating but not ever seeing a bead of sweat anywhere- you know you are sweating, but it evaporates instantly.
You simply cannot explain that kind of "dry" to anyone who lived in perennial 40-60% humidity. Shoot i wouldnt get it had not been for being in it 2-3x year.
And that includes vegitation/trees, landscape etc. That dry simply sucks every bit of moisture out.