What is ‘corn sweat’ and how does it make heat waves worse?
The Weather Channel · New
The Weather Channel
New
As temperatures heat up across the Midwest, a phenomenon known as ‘corn sweat’ can make the heat feel even worse. Through a process called evapotranspiration, the leaves of the plant release moisture back into the atmosphere.
Breakdown
- Corn plants release water vapor through evapotranspiration, a process similar to breathing. 12s
- An acre of corn can emit 3,000 to 4,000 gallons of water per day. 25s
- This moisture increases local humidity and raises the 'feels like' temperature. 28s
- The effect is especially strong in regions with high corn density, such as the Midwest. 36s