Sweaty Corn Ramp-Up: How It’s Increasing Our Humidity Levels

When Barb Boustead relocated to Nebraska almost two decades ago to join the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, she was introduced to the concept of “corn sweat” amidst the vast cornfields of the region. This phenomenon, involving a noticeable increase in humidity during the late summer as corn plants release moisture to cool down, was well-known among the locals, Boustead, a seasoned meteorologist and climatologist, noted.

The sticky discomfort typically associated with Midwestern summers may be intensifying due to climate change coupled with the expansion of industrial farming. Climate change contributes to higher temperatures and warmer nights, which in turn increases the atmosphere’s capacity to retain moisture. Additionally, these altered climatic conditions have enabled corn cultivation to spread northward, thereby boosting corn production across the country.

Moreover, the demand for ethanol has led to an increase in the number of acres dedicated to corn farming. This surge in corn cultivation means more plants are actively transpiring to cool themselves, which results in greater humidity levels.

This increase in humidity is particularly pronounced in the Midwest, where vast quantities of corn are grown and reach their peak transpiration phase simultaneously, creating a significant and noticeable spike in moisture, explained Boustead.

Dennis Todey, who heads the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Midwest Climate Hub, emphasizes that corn primarily undergoes its major transpiration process in July, rather than August. This Hub aims to assist agricultural producers in adjusting to climate changes.

Contrastingly, Todey pointed out that soybeans tend to release more vapor during August than corn. He also mentioned the need for further research to fully understand the impact of climate change on phenomena like corn sweat, noting that factors such as rainfall, crop varieties, and cultivation techniques all contribute to this complex equation.

Lew Ziska, an associate professor of environmental health sciences at Columbia University who has researched climate change’s impact on agriculture, also acknowledges that warmer conditions lead to increased transpiration. When questioned about whether the rise in corn sweat could be attributed to climate change, Ziska responded affirmatively.

Ziska further highlighted the growing use of corn for ethanol production. He noted that over 40% of the corn produced in the U.S. is processed into biofuels, which are predominantly used by automobiles and occasionally by aircraft. Despite a temporary decline during the COVID-19 pandemic, the global production of ethanol has generally been on the rise.

The production and consumption of ethanol also have implications for climate change, as they contribute to the emissions that warm the planet. “The fact that it’s been getting hotter should surprise no one. And with the rise in temperatures, plants are inevitably losing more water,” Ziska explained.

___

Follow Melina Walling on X at .

___