Experts highlight that “corn sweatshirts,” stemming from the natural process of evapotranspiration, can intensify the effects of extreme heat across much of the United States. According to specialists from Ohio State University, evapotranspiration involves plants transferring water from their roots to surfaces, which then evaporates, increasing local humidity.
Bruno Basso, a sustainable agriculture professor at Michigan State University, explains that all vascular plants undergo this process, but it’s most pronounced in summer crops, especially corn. Corn plants are particularly efficient in releasing moisture, with large fields contributing thousands of gallons of water to the atmosphere daily, especially after rain.
During summer, when corn reaches maturity, its moisture release peaks. This added humidity can make high temperatures feel more oppressive, with projections indicating “feel-like” temperatures up to 106 degrees in parts of the Midwest, impacting regions within the “cornbelt.”
While the process benefits the crops, it raises concerns about heat-related risks for approximately 140 million people under heat alerts from Texas to Maine. Under extreme heat conditions, corn may reduce moisture release to conserve energy, which can affect local climates.
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