Corn sweat: how agriculture affects our climate
We explore how corn sweat, the natural evapotranspiration process affects record-breaking temperatures, and recent weather changes can increase extreme heat.
- Many cities that have never seen actual 100 degrees before this summer will reach the mark again this week.
- The Northeast has a short reprieve before the heavy heat and humidity rolls later in the week.
ARLINGTON, Va. — The Heat Dome, which expands to most of the Midwest and South, envelops more than 100 million Americans with temperatures above 100 degrees Celsius almost every day this week, predictors say.
About 200 million people will experience triple-digit “Realfeel” temperatures on Friday alone, according to Accuweather. On the beginning of July 22, the National Weather Service issued extreme heat warnings, watches and recommendations on the country’s belt, affecting more than 70 million Americans.
Accuweather warns that many cities that have never seen actual 100-degree temperatures before this summer will reach this week’s mark. In many areas from Nebraska and Missouri to Texas and Louisiana, nightly temperatures don’t even drop in the mid-’70s or below the ’80s.
“Kansas City, Missouri, has not reached 100 degrees since August 25, 2023, but we are now doing that on multiple days during the upcoming Heat Dome,” said Chad Merrill, senior meteorologist at Accuweather.
This Washington, D.C. suburban residents saw temperatures wafting in the ’60s with little humidity, which meant most of the east was exempt from the Heat Dome on July 22nd. The high on July 22nd was predicted to reach only the mid-80s. However, the rest won’t last – by Friday the humidity will return with forecasts of near 100 degrees.
What is a Heat Dome?
According to ClimaTecheck.com, heat domes are not actually a scientific term. The term says it effectively describes a “oppressive” high-pressure atmospheric system that pushes warm air into the surface of the earth and traps it there for a long period of time.
“The dome locks high-pressure air in one place, like a pot lid,” the website says. “These large zones of heat create a combination of fierce temperatures, catastrophic wildfires and drought conditions.”
How long does the Heat Dome last?
Jonathan Erdman, senior meteorologist at Weather.com, writes that the heat wave could continue until the Plains and South slowly expands westward towards the Rockies at Plains and South at least for the final weekend of July.
“Our long distance outlook suggests that the Northeast is most likely to see some heat relief in the end last weekend in July,” Erdman said.
The heat is no joke, this year. As the country’s massive strips continue to fight in extreme heat, it’s important to know how to keep you and your loved ones safe this summer. Common signs and symptoms of fever stroke include headache, temperature, confusion, changes in mental state, slurs sweating or severe sweating, nausea and vomiting, seizures, loss of consciousness, skin cleansing, rapid breathing, and lace heart rate.
According to a report by the National Weather Service, Heat killed more Americans in 2024 than other major weather events, including floods and tornadoes. As temperatures increase, so does the risk of heat-related dangers and injuries. This occurs when the body is exposed to extreme heat or high humidity for a long period of time. Either way, the outcome can be fatal. Click here for details.
Corn sweat adds to the heat and humidity of the Midwest
Summers are high in the Midwest, and corn is “sweaty.” Known as evapotranspiration, it is a healthy plant process that can exacerbate the suffocating heat in humans by increasing humidity levels. The process is how plants release water vapor into the atmosphere. The released water binds to other water molecules and humidifies the air.
Differences occur in plains and Midwest regions with millions of acres of corn and soybean crops. In Iowa, corn is pumping “a staggering 4.9 to 56 billion gallons of water into the atmosphere” statewide, the National Weather Service said. On hot summer days, you can add 5-10 degrees to the dew point, a measure of air humidity. Click here for details.
– – Doyle Rice
