Latest news with #corn sweat
CBS News
14 hours ago
- Climate
- CBS News
What is corn sweat, and why is it making Michigan hotter this week?
Corn sweat is a very real phenomenon, and the Midwest has to deal with the excess heat during the late-summer days because of it. Corn sweat is exactly what it sounds like: moisture given off by corn. With large swaths of corn fields in the Midwest and even into Michigan, the amount of moisture in the air increases on hotter days. Corn cools itself through a process called evapotranspiration, where moisture is released into the air directly as water vapor. The equivalent moisture is equal to almost 3,000 to 4,000 gallons of water for every acre every day! Dewpoints can jump into the 70-degree range anytime we get a good round of heat. Having an abundance of corn near its peak can give it an added boost. On a hot day like this week, on Thursday, you can even feel the difference yourself. If you stand near a corn field, you'll feel the excess warmth and moisture content.
Fast Company
21 hours ago
- Climate
- Fast Company
Why ‘corn sweat' will make this week's heat wave even worse
Another crushing heat wave is hitting the United States this week. The so-called 'dog days of summer' are in full swing for much of the eastern two-thirds of the U.S., as a heat dome over the Mississippi and Ohio Valleys gradually builds over the eastern U.S. later in the week, according to the Weather Prediction Center (WPC) at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). One unlikely culprit for the high humidity, especially in the Midwest, is 'corn sweat.' What is corn sweat? 'Corn sweat' is the term used to explain how corn, like other plants, excretes water vapor through its leaves via a process called evapotranspiration, which increases humidity in regions where corn is grown during the summer; namely, the Corn Belt, which stretches from North and South Dakota east to Ohio, including Missouri, Minnesota, Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, according to The Washington Post. Where is the heat wave? Nearly 60 million Americans are under heat-related warnings, watches, and advisories this week with oppressive heat forecast across the Central Plains, Midwest, and deep South, according to the WPC. What is the weather forecast this week? Heat indices from the Central Plains to the Southeast are predicted to range between 100 and 110 degrees each day, with localized readings potentially reaching 115 degrees. The National Weather Service's HeatRisk, which ranks heat-related risks on a map, forecasts its most extreme heat level for the Deep South and lower Mississippi Valley on Tuesday, with a major heat risk across the Midwest through Wednesday. Extreme heat warnings are also in place for parts of the Central Plains and lower to mid-Mississippi Valley, along with extreme heat watches across the Midwest, including the majority of the Chicago area. Meanwhile, heat advisories encompass much of the Deep South and northern Florida. That ' dangerous, long lasting heat ' is expected to persist the longest over the mid-Mississippi Valley and mid-South regions from Tuesday through Thursday, when the heat is expected to be the most intense and widespread, with heat waves that last multiple days in a row with little to no relief. Meanwhile, temperatures into the upper 90s will be high enough to set some local daily records in the Southeast for late July. As if that weren't enough, thunderstorms could also pose a flash flood threat in portions of the Southwest, Midwest, and Southeast, with severe storms likely in the Northern Plains and Midwest. The Northeast, which should have comfortable temperatures in the 80s in the first half of the week, is forecast to hit 97 to 98 degrees on Friday, in a number of cities including Boston and New York.
Daily Mail
21 hours ago
- Climate
- Daily Mail
Scientists: Why 'corn sweat' is to blame for 100-degree heat dome
'Corn sweat' has turned up the heat in the US, pushing temperatures above 100 degrees for nearly 200 million people nationwide. A thick wave of extreme humidity is expected to hit at least 30 states from the Plains to the East Coast boiling in a massive heat dome this week, with temperatures rising over 100 degrees, and scientists say 'corn sweat' is making the heat feel even worse. That moisture gets trapped under the heat dome, turning the region into a huge sauna. That heat dome is like a hot air bubble covering an area and trapping heat like a lid on a pot, keeping cooler air and rainstorms out. This makes everything underneath get hotter and hotter, with no way to cool down. Officials warned that the heat index is expected to reach 110 to 115 degrees in parts of Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, and Indiana . Major Midwest cities like Kansas City, Des Moines, and Chicago are all under heat watches or warnings through the night, as meteorologists have said the air will stay thick and damp even after the sun sets. Justin Glisan, an Iowa State University climatologist, said: 'The phenomenon as being thick and oppressive, particularly if there is no wind, like being fully clothed in a sauna or steam room.' According to AccuWeather, more than 200 million people across 37 states will experience the triple-digit heat wave by Friday. Officials have issued extreme heat alerts for the Mississippi Valley, while the entire Chicago area is under an extreme heat watch through Thursday. This week, humidity from cornfields has intensified the already severe heat dome, extending from Texas to the Great Lakes. Over 100 cities are expected to challenge overnight heat records, raising serious risks for heat stress, especially where there is no air conditioning. The timing of this summer scorcher is no coincidence, as it coincides with the blossoming period of the corn plant. In Iowa alone, corn is planted across millions of acres. On Thursday and Friday, the heat dome will expand further east, covering the regions that rarely see this level of heat and humidity, especially New England and parts of the Northeast. In Maine, where summer temperature usually stay in the 70s or low 80s, it could reach the 90s by Friday. Portland is most likely to hit 94 degrees, but humidity will make it feels live over 100 Fahrenheit. Boston will also get very hot, with temperatures near 100 when you factor in the moisture in the air. Even cities near the coast would not be safe from the heat. Meteorologists say this heat will be short but strong. It's not like the long-lasting heat in the Plains, but it still could cause problems. The heat comes from moisture moving east, mostly from the Midwest's corn fields, which release a lot of water vapor into the air. This makes the air feel even hotter. New York City will see some of its hottest days this month with highs in the mid-90s and nights staying warm near 80 degrees. Many cities in the South and Midwest will also stay hot at night, giving little relief from the heat. Places like Little Rock and Jackson could see nighttime lows only reach the 80s. Corn in states like Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana is at a stage where it releases lots of moisture, which adds to the humidity spreading east. Washington, DC, will hit 97 degrees Friday, but it will feel hotter, between 105 and 110 because of the extra humidity coming from the South and Midwest. According to AccuWeather, Dallas will reach over 100 degrees, and Houston and San Antonio will stay in the triple digits. Forecasters say the Central Plains, including Kansas and Nebraska, could shift from humid to dangerously dry by mid-August. The heat will worsen with dry ground, pushing temperatures from the upper 90s to 100, with some areas possibly hitting 110 degrees Fahrenheit. AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Chad Merrill said: 'The bottom line is that this has the look of a long-lasting heat wave with limited rainfall.' The Corn Belt is not in a drought right now, but that could change. As the ground dries under this heat dome, less water will evaporate to cool the air, and actual temperatures will rise even more. Some areas could climb to 110 degrees or more. Even tropical moisture from the Gulf would not help much. High pressure is blocking it from moving north in most places, and whatever rain does fall likely would not be enough to cut the heat.
Daily Mail
21 hours ago
- Climate
- Daily Mail
Why 'corn sweat' is to blame for massive 100-degree heat dome affecting 200 million Americans ALL WEEK
'Corn sweat' has turned up the heat in the US, pushing temperatures above 100 degrees for nearly 200 million people nationwide. A thick wave of extreme humidity is expected to hit at least 30 states from the Plains to the East Coast boiling in a massive heat dome this week, with temperatures rising over 100 degrees, and scientists say 'corn sweat' is making the heat feel even worse. As corn reaches its peak growth phase across the Corn Belt, in states like Iowa and Illinois, the fields started acting like steam machines, fueling dangerous heat that could last through the weekend. They have started pumping thousands of gallons of water per acre into the air each day through a process called evapotranspiration, or corn sweat. That moisture gets trapped under the heat dome, turning the region into a huge sauna. That heat dome is like a hot air bubble covering an area and trapping heat like a lid on a pot, keeping cooler air and rainstorms out. This makes everything underneath get hotter and hotter, with no way to cool down. Officials warned that the heat index is expected to reach 110 to 115 degrees in parts of Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, and Indiana. Major Midwest cities like Kansas City, Des Moines, and Chicago are all under heat watches or warnings through the night, as meteorologists have said the air will stay thick and damp even after the sun sets. Justin Glisan, an Iowa State University climatologist, said: 'The phenomenon as being thick and oppressive, particularly if there is no wind, like being fully clothed in a sauna or steam room.' According to AccuWeather, more than 200 million people across 37 states will experience the triple-digit heat wave by Friday. Officials have issued extreme heat alerts for the Mississippi Valley, while the entire Chicago area is under an extreme heat watch through Thursday. This week, humidity from cornfields has intensified the already severe heat dome, extending from Texas to the Great Lakes. Over 100 cities are expected to challenge overnight heat records, raising serious risks for heat stress, especially where there is no air conditioning. The timing of this summer scorcher is no coincidence, as it coincides with the blossoming period of the corn plant. In Iowa alone, corn is planted across millions of acres. On Thursday and Friday, the heat dome will expand further east, covering the regions that rarely see this level of heat and humidity, especially New England and parts of the Northeast. In Maine, where summer temperature usually stay in the 70s or low 80s, it could reach the 90s by Friday. Portland is most likely to hit 94 degrees, but humidity will make it feels live over 100 Fahrenheit. Boston will also get very hot, with temperatures near 100 when you factor in the moisture in the air. Even cities near the coast would not be safe from the heat. Meteorologists say this heat will be short but strong. It's not like the long-lasting heat in the Plains, but it still could cause problems. The heat comes from moisture moving east, mostly from the Midwest's corn fields, which release a lot of water vapor into the air. This makes the air feel even hotter. New York City will see some of its hottest days this month with highs in the mid-90s and nights staying warm near 80 degrees. Many cities in the South and Midwest will also stay hot at night, giving little relief from the heat. Places like Little Rock and Jackson could see nighttime lows only reach the 80s. Corn in states like Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana is at a stage where it releases lots of moisture, which adds to the humidity spreading east. Washington, DC, will hit 97 degrees Friday, but it will feel hotter, between 105 and 110 because of the extra humidity coming from the South and Midwest. According to AccuWeather, Dallas will reach over 100 degrees, and Houston and San Antonio will stay in the triple digits. Forecasters say the Central Plains, including Kansas and Nebraska, could shift from humid to dangerously dry by mid-August. The heat will worsen with dry ground, pushing temperatures from the upper 90s to 100, with some areas possibly hitting 110 degrees Fahrenheit. AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Chad Merrill said: 'The bottom line is that this has the look of a long-lasting heat wave with limited rainfall.' The Corn Belt is not in a drought right now, but that could change. As the ground dries under this heat dome, less water will evaporate to cool the air, and actual temperatures will rise even more. Some areas could climb to 110 degrees or more. Even tropical moisture from the Gulf would not help much. High pressure is blocking it from moving north in most places, and whatever rain does fall likely would not be enough to cut the heat.
CBS News
a day ago
- Climate
- CBS News
Is corn sweat real? How crops exacerbate humidity during Illinois heat waves
Extreme heat is descending on Chicago again this week, and an agricultural phenomenon called corn sweat is making the heat wave this summer even worse. The U.S. leads the world in corn production, and Illinois grows more corn than any other state besides Iowa. At this time of year, the corn is high, lending its name to the phenomenon of corn sweat. "But really, all plants do that," said agriculture teacher Joshua Berg. "So, you know, you could just as much say 'soybean sweat.' I guess they haven't got on that marketing yet. The scientific term for the phenomenon is transpiration. Berg, who holds a master's degree in agricultural education, said transpiration is not like humans' sweat for cooling — it is a vital part of getting water to the plant. "Transpiration is a process where water is released from the plant's leaves, and that actually helps the plants move water," said Berg. CBS News Chicago Meteorologist Kylee Miller explained the effects of transpiration are showing up in this week's forecasts. "Dew points could be about 5 to 10 degrees actually higher, adding with that corn sweat, compared to what Mother Nature is giving us," Miller said. Other crops, like alfalfa and sugarcane, have higher evapotranspiration averages than corn. The evapotranspiration average for alfalfa is 6 to 8 mm/day for alfalfa and 5 to 7 mm/day for sugarcane, compared with 3.5 to 5mm/day for corn. Soybeans are in a range comparable to corn, at 4 to 6 mm/day But it is, in fact, corn's prevalence and growing season that are affecting the humidity now. "So during the growing season, one acre of corn can release 3,000 to 4,000 gallons of water a day," said Miller. "Here in Illinois, we have about 11 million acres [of corn]." Those numbers are driving up the forecasts for our summer's second heat wave this week. The effects of this corn sweat could continue into the weekend. It can result in more rainfall with higher humidity.
