Summer heat waves can feel oppressive in the Midwest – in part due to a phenomenon called “corn sweat.” The nickname refers to the process of evapotranspiration in which plants release water vapor into the air. As corn draws water from the soil, it releases some into the air through its leaves, intensifying that sticky, humid feeling on hot days.
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According to a U.S. Geological Survey study, 1 acre of corn can emit 3,000 to 4,000 gallons of water per day. With around 11 million acres in Illinois, that adds up to tens of billions of gallons daily.
While all that corn sweat does contribute to higher moisture levels in the air, weather patterns remain the main driver of summer heat and humidity. And despite making it feel a bit muggier outside, corn sweat is a sign of a healthy crop as it cools the plant and protects it from heat stress.
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