When I take a hot shower, there is normally a fair amount of steam. However, I don't think the water coming out of the shower-head is actually boiling (unless I am mistaken).
Why is there water vapor in a hot shower?
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What you can see is not steam in the strict technical sense, even though it is commonly referred to as such. If you can see it, then it is probably water droplets floating in the air, somewhat like a cloud.
These water droplets can often be seen in the same places as steam is, since hot H2O gas (which is transparent) mixed with air usually almost instantly starts to condense into these water droplets. However, as with the example of clouds, steam is not necessary for these 'cloudy' water droplets to form.
In fact, in a shower, the airborne water droplets are probably forming after evaporation has occurred – something that is made more likely because of the hot water and moving air currents of a shower, but which also happens from a glass of water at room temperature.
You should take a look at the related question How does water evaporate if it doesn't boil for more information on this process.
Bill Michell
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