There is a term called “corn sweat”, and those in the local area should be feeling its impacts this weekend into Monday.
Like all other plants, corn transpires, meaning, it sucks up water from the ground and expels it into the air as a way to stay cool and distribute nutrients. Moisture also enters the air when water in the soil evaporates.
A heat dome is bringing hot temperatures to much of the United States, including Iowa. Along with plenty of sunshine, that heat is enough to make corn sweat, producing extremely uncomfortable weather, and in some areas, a heat index of 105 degrees or higher.
The combination of hot temperatures and high dew points can be dangerous to those who work outside, vulnerable groups like the elderly or pregnant, and those who cannot afford air conditioning.
