This summer, the Midwest isn’t just hot - it’s humid-humid. And while the sun’s doing its thing, there’s another surprise culprit: corn sweat.
According to Vox, massive cornfields are releasing up to 4,000 gallons of water vapor per acre per day. That moisture, pumped into the atmosphere through a process called evapotranspiration, is what’s making everything feel extra sticky. Basically, the corn “breathes out” water through its leaves - and when you've got endless miles of cornfields, the air turns into a wet blanket real quick.
Meteorologists say this effect is especially noticeable in states like Iowa, Nebraska, and Illinois, where cornfields stretch as far as the eye can see. The Times UK reports that during peak growth, cornfields can increase local humidity so much that it raises the heat index by 10 to 20 degrees.
And it’s not just the corn. WVTM 13 points out that soybeans and other crops contribute too - but because cornfields dominate the landscape, they’re the main culprits.
The result? What’s supposed to be a 95°F day suddenly feels like 110°F, especially when combined with heat domes and moisture-rich winds from the Gulf. As The Washington Post explains, that extra humidity slows down how fast sweat evaporates off your skin - which means your body can’t cool itself down as easily. That’s why heat advisories are popping up across the Midwest.
In fact, Scientific American warns that these muggy conditions are becoming more extreme due to climate change. And with corn continuing to be one of the U.S.’s biggest crops, "corn sweat" might just become a summer regular.
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