Corn is making Ohio's heat feel worse
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You know Midwest summer has reached its peak when even the corn starts sweating.
Why it matters: While not solely to blame for this month's dangerous heat and humidity, the viral weather phenomenon isn't helping the situation.
How it works: Scientifically known as evapotranspiration, "corn sweat" is the natural process of corn releasing vapor into the air after absorbing water through its roots.
- That's something all plants do, but corn does it well, and the crop's abundance in the Midwest has a noticeable impact.
- The effect is most intense this time of year, during the early reproductive stages of tasseling and silking, says Aaron Wilson, the state climatologist of Ohio. Rates decrease throughout August, as harvesting time nears.
Stunning stat: Some USDA research suggests corn can contribute 3,500-5,000 gallons of water per acre to the atmosphere over one to two days.
- For comparison, a typical swimming pool contains 18,000-20,000 gallons.
Case in point: While Tuesday's high temperature forecast in Columbus is only in the low 90s, high humidity is expected to make it feel over 100.
- That means at 4pm Tuesday it'll feel hotter here than in San Antonio, and comparable to Miami, per National Weather Service forecasts.
Reality check: The biggest factor causing how we're feeling is atmospheric flow, Wilson tells Axios.
- Hot, moist Gulf air is trapped over the Midwest in a heat dome.
- Wilson's "educated guess" is that corn's peak contribution likely increases humidity by 2%-10%.
What's next: Storms are expected Wednesday and Thursday and should cool things down a bit.