Corn plants draw water from the soil and release it into the air as vapor to cool themselves during extreme heat
The recent heatwave in the Midwest has been exceptionally severe, with temperatures reaching extreme levels largely due to “corn sweat,” which refers to the humidity spike caused by corn plants from evapotranspiration.
Evapotranspiration involves corn plants drawing water from the soil and releasing it into the air as vapor to cool themselves. As more corn plants release moisture, local humidity increases, adding to the already steamy conditions.
Climate change exacerbates the effect as rising heat makes corn sweat more, which in turn increases the atmosphere’s moisture.
The Department of Agriculture (DOA) notes that the expansion of corn acreage, driven by ethanol demand, contributes to higher levels of evapotranspiration. Over 40% of US corn is used for biofuels, boosting overall corn production and moisture release.
According to USDA data, Iowa is the top corn producer in the US, planting roughly 13.1 million acres this year. Illinois and Nebraska follow next.
Experts believe that as warmer conditions continue, corn sweat will continue to grow, impacting summer weather patterns.