'Corn sweats' refer to the process of moisture evaporation from corn fields, which can intensify heat waves.
In the heart of summer, the Midwest United States is bracing for a heatwave, with millions of people under alert for dangerous heat and humidity. But there's another factor that could exacerbate the situation: corn sweats.
Corn sweats, also known as evapotranspiration, is a natural process by which corn plants release water vapor into the air to cool off. This process is beneficial for the crop, helping it regulate its temperature, much like how humans sweat to keep cool. However, the released moisture raises the local humidity significantly, making high temperatures even more oppressive.
The Midwest is a major corn-producing region, with approximately 90 million acres of corn and 80 million acres of soybeans planted each year. An acre of corn can release about 3,000 to 4,000 gallons of water daily, translating to billions of gallons of water vapor entering the atmosphere each day during the summer months. This large-scale moisture release increases the humidity, intensifying the "feels-like" temperature and making heatwaves feel more oppressive and sticky.
Meteorologists note that evapotranspiration peaks during the mid to late summer as the corn matures, and ends once the crop stops maturing. During this period, corn is at the peak of production maturity, where pollination is happening and grain fill begins, causing the corn to sweat more efficiently.
The added moisture from corn sweats is minimal compared to rainfall events, but it can still contribute to the overall humidity levels. The sweet scent of corn is prevalent throughout the state of Ohio outside of large cities like Columbus during this time of year, and can even be noticed while driving down the highway.
While the exact impact of corn sweats on heatwaves is still a subject of ongoing research, experts agree that it could exacerbate the impacts of extreme heat. There are research gaps to prove the hypothesis that more corn leads to more moisture. However, it's clear that the evapotranspiration process in corn crops contributes to increased heat and humidity in the Midwest during summer.
Parts of the Midwest are forecast to reach "feels-like" temperatures up to 106 degrees, making it crucial for residents and farmers to take precautions to stay safe during this heatwave. Staying hydrated, seeking air-conditioned environments, and checking on vulnerable neighbours are all important steps to take.
[1] Corn Sweats: How Corn Evapotranspiration Affects Heatwaves in the Midwest [2] Understanding Corn Evapotranspiration: A Key Factor in Heatwaves [3] The Role of Corn Crops in Increasing Humidity During Heatwaves [4] The Impact of Corn Sweats on Heat Indexes in the Midwest [5] Evapotranspiration in Corn: A Closer Look at the Process and Its Effects on the Environment
- The evapotranspiration process in corn crops, often called "corn sweats," increases local humidity significantly, potentially making heatwaves in the Midwest feel more oppressive and sticky.
- An ongoing research topic is the exact impact of corn sweats on heatwaves, with experts agreeing that it could exacerbate the effects of extreme heat.
- Meteorologists have observed that evapotranspiration peaks during the mid to late summer as the corn matures, contributing to increased heat and humidity in the Midwest during summer.
- Corn sweats, or the release of water vapor by corn plants, might be a minimal factor compared to rainfall events but can still influence overall humidity levels in areas like Ohio.
