What is corn sweat? Heat wave in Midwest to feel worse this week, here's why
What is corn sweat?
'Corn actually produces humidity, if you will, or moisture that wicks off the plant on average about 4,000 gallons per acre (per day),' farmer Mark Baker told AccuWeather.
The moisture adds to the already high humidity, pushing temperatures well over 100 degree Fahrenheit in parts of the Corn Belt like Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, and Indiana.
The effect isn't subtle. 'On a normal day, I mean, the humidity in the cornfield is substantially worse. You step out of the corn and you go, 'Wow, that's a breath of fresh air,' Baker added.
Also Read: Midwest and Central US face scorching heat wave: How to stay safe as temperatures rise over 100 degrees
Does it have any effect on heat?
As per Accuweather, the whole thing boils down to plant biology - specifically, transpiration. Like all plants, corn pulls water up through its roots to grow. But the extra water does not stick around. Instead, the plant releases it through tiny pores in its leaves, sending vapor into the air.
A tree might do this too, but the numbers do not even come close. A big oak tree releases about 100 gallons of water a day. On the other hand, a single acre of corn releases up to 4,000 gallons. Multiply that by the roughly 11.1 million acres of corn in Illinois alone, and we are talking about billions of gallons of water vapor pumped into the air - every day - during peak summer season.
'Most plants do not transpire a significant amount of water. Corn plants are really, really effective at transpiration,' Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford told Fox 32 Chicago.
Humid summers ahead
Chicago and much of the Midwest are now stuck in a steamy squeeze as they get caught between moisture-heavy Gulf air to the south and nonstop corn sweat rising from the ground. The result? Conditions feel way hotter than the thermometer suggests.
The upside? All that moisture means the corn is doing well, and farmers can expect a solid harvest come fall. So yeah, the sweat's real - but at least someone's thriving.
FAQs:
1. What is corn sweat?
Corn sweat refers to the moisture released by corn plants through a process called transpiration.
2. Why does corn increase humidity more than other plants?
Corn releases significantly more water vapor, up to 4,000 gallons per acre per day, compared to most plants.
3. Where is corn sweat most noticeable?
The effect is strongest in the Corn Belt states, especially Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, and Missouri.
4. Does corn sweat affect the heat index?
Yes, the added moisture raises humidity, which increases how hot it feels outside.
5. Is corn sweat a sign of healthy crops?
Yes, more transpiration generally means the corn is growing well and thriving.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
19 hours ago
- Indian Express
Dangerous heat descends on California and Southwest, raising wildfire risk
A dangerous heat wave descended on much of California and the U.S. Southwest, with triple-digit temperatures expected along with a higher risk of wildfires. Officials opened cooling centers this week in Los Angeles, where residents are warned to avoid strenuous outdoor activities. California Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered state firefighting resources deployed in areas where blazes could ignite. The National Weather Service issued an extreme heat warning for Southern California starting Wednesday into the weekend. If outdoor activities can't be avoided, forecasters say, they should be moved to early morning hours. And everyone should hydrate. Downtown Los Angeles was forecast to reach 94 degrees Fahrenheit (34 degrees Celsius), while valleys to the north braced for temperatures as high as 108 F (42 C). It will be several degrees hotter in desert areas. Candice Catlett, who uses a wheelchair, rolled herself toward some shade as temperatures started spiking Tuesday in downtown LA. 'It's sizzling hot out here,' Catlett said. 'I have sunblock. Hopefully, I can find some cold water. I'm trying to stay out of the direct sun.' Further north, nearly-always-hot Death Valley could see a severe 120 F (49 C), the weather service said. In Arizona, the peak of the heat wave will hit Thursday and Friday, with the mercury possibly reaching 110 F (43 C) in the southern and western parts of the state. Similar temperatures were likely in Las Vegas. Red flag warnings, signaling elevated wildfire danger, have been issued across Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties until Saturday. 'If you live in a high fire danger area in the mountains or foothills, review your evacuation plans and route and stay tuned to your local emergency officials,' the weather service said in a statement. The state has sent 10 fire engines and multiple firefighting teams to LA County to assist local agencies if blazes break out. 'By prepositioning firefighting crews, equipment, and other resources in high-risk areas, we can respond faster and more effectively when needed,' said Nancy Ward, director of the Governor's Office of Emergency Services. In the Sierra Nevada, higher than normal temperatures, low humidity and the possibility of lightning storms will contribute to the fire risk. California's largest blaze this year, the Gifford Fire, reached 95% containment Tuesday after charring nearly 206 square miles (534 square kilometers) of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties since erupting on Aug. 1. The cause is under investigation.
News18
19 hours ago
- News18
Dangerous heat descends on California, Southwest, raising wildfire risk
Agency: Last Updated: Los Angeles, Aug 20 (AP) A dangerous heat wave descended on much of California and the US Southwest, with triple-digit temperatures expected along with a higher risk of wildfires. Officials opened cooling centres this week in Los Angeles, where residents are warned to avoid strenuous outdoor activities. California Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered state firefighting resources deployed in areas where blazes could ignite. Here's what you need to know. Sizzling hot The National Weather Service issued an extreme heat warning for Southern California starting Wednesday into the weekend. If outdoor activities can't be avoided, forecasters say, they should be moved to early morning hours. And everyone should hydrate. Downtown Los Angeles was forecast to reach 94 degrees Fahrenheit (34 degrees Celsius), while valleys to the north braced for temperatures as high as 108 F (42 C). It will be several degrees hotter in desert areas. Candice Catlett, who uses a wheelchair, rolled herself toward some shade as temperatures started spiking Tuesday in downtown LA. 'It's sizzling hot out here," Catlett said. 'I have sunblock. Hopefully, I can find some cold water. I'm trying to stay out of the direct sun." Further north, nearly-always-hot Death Valley could see a severe 120 F (49 C), the weather service said. In Arizona, the peak of the heat wave will hit Thursday and Friday, with the mercury possibly reaching 110 F (43 C) in the southern and western parts of the state. Similar temperatures were likely in Las Vegas. Fire risk Red flag warnings, signalling elevated wildfire danger, have been issued across Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties until Saturday. 'If you live in a high fire danger area in the mountains or foothills, review your evacuation plans and route and stay tuned to your local emergency officials," the weather service said in a statement. The state has sent 10 fire engines and multiple firefighting teams to LA County to assist local agencies if blazes break out. 'By prepositioning firefighting crews, equipment, and other resources in high-risk areas, we can respond faster and more effectively when needed," said Nancy Ward, director of the Governor's Office of Emergency Services. In the Sierra Nevada, higher than normal temperatures, low humidity and the possibility of lightning storms will contribute to the fire risk. California's largest blaze this year, the Gifford Fire, reached 95 per cent containment Tuesday after charring nearly 534 square kilometres of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties since erupting on August 1. The cause is under investigation. (AP) GRS GRS view comments First Published: August 20, 2025, 10:15 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Loading comments...
Economic Times
3 days ago
- Economic Times
Pilgrimage route cut as Spanish wildfires spread to Picos de Europa mountains
Reuters Raging wildfires in Spain spread to the southern slopes of the Picos de Europa mountain range on Monday and authorities closed part of the popular Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route. About 20 wildfires, fuelled by a severe 16-day heatwave, have devastated more than 115,000 hectares (285,000 acres) in the regions of Galicia and Castile and Leon over the past week. "This is a fire situation we haven't experienced in 20 years," Defence Minister Margarita Robles told radio station Cadena SER. "The fires have special characteristics as a result of climate change and this huge heatwave." She said thick smoke was affecting the work of water-carrying helicopters and aircraft. The Spanish army has deployed 1,900 troops to help firefighters. Highways and rail services have been cut in the area, as well as the "Camino de Santiago" hiking route, an ancient pilgrimage path trodden by thousands in the summer. It links France and the city of Santiago de Compostela on the Western tip of Spain, where the remains of the apostle St James are said to be buried. Authorities in the Castile and Leon region have closed the path in the area between the towns of Astorga and Ponferrada, which are about 50 km (30 miles) apart, and told hikers "not to put (their) lives in danger". A firefighter died when his truck crashed on a forest path near the village of Espinoso de Compludo. Four firefighters have died so far. The Interior ministry says 27 people have been arrested and 92 are under investigation for suspected arson since June. Southern Europe is experiencing one of its worst wildfire seasons in two decades, with Spain among the hardest-hit countries. In Portugal, wildfires have burnt 155,000 hectares so far this year, according to the ICNF forestry protection institute - three times the average for this period between 2006 to 2024. About half of that area burned in the past three days. Robles said things are not likely to improve until the heatwave that has seen temperatures hit 45 Celsius degrees (113 Fahrenheit) starts easing on Monday evening or Tuesday. The heatwave is the third hottest since 1975, when the national weather agency started tracking them. Most of the country is subject to wildfire warnings. (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates) Elevate your knowledge and leadership skills at a cost cheaper than your daily tea. IndiGo's GIFT City unit: Simple expansion or is there more to it than meets the eye? GST cut to benefit; but who gains the most? Good, bad, ugly: How will higher ethanol in petrol play out for you? Why are mid-cap stocks fizzling out? It's not just about Trump tariffs. Stock Radar: This hotel stock is showing signs of bottoming out; time to buy? Logistics sector: Be tactical in the face of head & tailwinds; 6 logistics stocks with an upside potential of over 30% Stock picks of the week: 5 stocks with consistent score improvement and return potential of more than 25% in 1 year History of wealth creators: Everything should be in context, whether it is PE or PEG; on a standalone basis they mean nothing
