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As temperatures soar in the Midwest, you may hear the term “corn sweat” this week. It refers to a process by which plants breathe water, called transpiration. This process reaches the grain between mid-July and late August.
According to the National Weather Service, an acre of corn produces about 3,000-4,000 gallons of water each day. That adds moisture to the air, which then increases the already high dew points, making it feel even wetter on a localized scale. In the past, we’ve seen “corn sweat” help jump dew points above 80 degrees, which is a squeeze of moist air. The increased humidity will then cause heat index temperatures to rise further.
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