August 26, 2024
5 min read
‘Corn Sweat’ and Climate Change Bring Sweltering Weather to the Midwest
A heat wave is sending temperatures soaring in the Midwest, and “corn sweat” is pushing humidity sky-high
Hot weather—along with extreme humidity levels that are usually associated more with the sultry U.S. Southeast—has enveloped much of the Midwest and will move into the mid-Atlantic states over the course of this week. The phenomenon will bring some of the summer’s hottest conditions and will potentially smash more records.
The soaring temperatures reach into the mid- and upper 90s Fahrenheit (upper 30s Celsius), as much as 10 to 15 degrees F (5.6 to 8.4 degrees C) above normal for this time of year. They come courtesy of an atmospheric high-pressure area that has moved into the region from the Southwest. Such areas are called ridges because of their appearance on air-pressure maps, and they block storms that could bring cooler conditions. The clear skies associated with high-pressure areas also let more of the sun’s rays beat down on and heat up the ground.
This is “a strong ridge even for midsummer” and even more so for the tail end of the season, says Andrew Taylor, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service’s (NWS’s) Chicago office. That strength is what could cause some daily temperature records to be tied or broken.
On supporting science journalism
If you’re enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.
The heat is accompanied by humidity from two sources: moist air that is streaming up from the Gulf of Mexico and a phenomenon that is sometimes called “corn sweat.” The latter happens when corn, soybeans and other crops release…
Read the full article here