Corn Sweat?

I’m sure if you don’t live in the Midwest, you have never heard of corn sweat or you think I’m making this up. For us in the Midwest corn sweat is a real thing, especially in the warm summer months. Moisture from the Gulf, along with Southerly winds, helps bring humid conditions North during peak summer months. That moisture is enhanced by corn sweat, especially where corn production is high. A single acre of corn, approx. one football field, can give off 3,000 to 4,000 gallons of water per day. According to the Weather Channel, corn sweat refers to a process by which plants exhale water, or evapotranspiration. As the roots of plants like corn draw in water, the leaves then release water vapor or moisture into the air. It is how the plant “breathes” essentially. Corn sweat increases dew points in the areas where the corn crops are in full swing, making the area seem more humid. The higher dew points help increase the heat index on a given day. Iowa is the leading state for corn production, but many states in the Midwest can feel the effects.

By Matt K. 

Weather Forecaster In-Training.