Latest news with #CalebGrunzke
CBS News
26-07-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Corn could be the reason we're dealing hot temperatures
Increased feels like temps felt all across the Corn Belt, an area touching southern Minnesota, could be because of a crop. "Corn sweat, well, the technical term, the scientific term is evapotranspiration," says Caleb Grunzke, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service Twin Cities. Grunzke says you aren't the only one who sweats. "In the mid to late summer as the corn is maturing, stalks want to stay cool like we do," said Grunzke. "They draw moisture out from the roots and sweat it out. As the corn sweats out, it evaporates in the air and increases moisture content in the air." A climatologist from Iowa State told CBS News it's a process that can add up to 10 degrees to the "feels-like" temp. The map shows the United States Corn Belt, a region historically dominating the crops' production, which our state is a part of. The entire zone is experiencing extreme heat this week, when you add the humidity from corn sweat it takes those feels like temperatures to dangerous levels. "A forecast like this, we still feel really humid but we have a little extra help to make it feel miserable," said Grunzke. He says the areas impacted most in Minnesota are the southern, central and western portions. Where is where the majority of Minnesota's corn can be found. According to Minnesota Corn Growers Association, roughly 16% of the state's total land area was planted with the crop in 2024. Minnesota is the fourth-largest exporter of corn in the United States. "There's a lot of corn in the Upper Midwest," said Grunzke. "Don't be outside for an extended period of time." Evapotranspiration happens every summer. The NWS says it ends once corn stops maturing.
CBS News
09-05-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
What's the windiest month in Minnesota?
If it's felt pretty breezy lately, you're not imagining it. Spring and fall tend to be Minnesota's windier seasons. So, which month is Minnesota's windiest and what's the science behind it? April ranks No. 1 as the windiest month in Minnesota, with the average wind speed of 11.7 miles per hour, according to the Iowa Environmental Mesonet. March, May and November are also quite windy, with average wind speeds over 10 mph. It should be noted that these are non-thunderstorm winds. If you factor in severe weather, which tends to target spring and summer, the gusts can be much faster. In 2024, the fastest wind gust clocked at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport was 62 mph on July 14. Meteorologist Caleb Grunzke of the National Weather Service says clashing warm and cold air during the spring season creates strong pressure systems that fuel gusty winds. "Wind is basically higher pressure moving to lower pressure," he said. However, Grunzke notes that data show it is getting less windy in the Twin Cities area. "Being that your poles are warming up compared to what the equator is, you are decreasing the temperature gradient across the northern hemisphere, so you're basically decreasing the pressure difference, which in theory you decrease the winds," Grunzke said. That being said, there have been more wind advisories this time of year in Minnesota than usual. So far this spring, the NWS has issued 29 wind advisories, meaning winds above 35 miles per hour. The average is 23 advisories. The least windy time of year in Minnesota occurs during the state's hot summers. So, enjoy the breeze while you can.
