What the heck is "corn sweat" and is it making the Midwest more dangerous?

August 29, 2024

Late August in the Midwest is characterized by high humidity, often exacerbated by "corn sweat," a term describing the moisture released by corn fields during hot, sunny weather. Corn, like all plants, undergoes a process called transpiration, where it absorbs water from the soil and releases it into the air, contributing to increased humidity. Bruno Basso, a crop and agriculture scientist at Michigan State University, explains that while evapotranspiration can cool the air, during extreme heat waves, the resulting humidity can intensify the heat, making it more challenging for people to stay cool and increasing the risk of heat-related illnesses. This phenomenon is especially pronounced in the Midwest, where vast cornfields dominate the landscape. Basso also notes that while native prairies once managed moisture cycles more effectively, the uniform monocultures of corn and soybeans now draw water more rapidly, potentially deepening droughts and altering regional climate patterns.

See original article at: VOX.com