Don’t Blame Corn for Summer Humidity

by | Sep 3, 2025 | Agriculture, Insights

There’s a popular theory circulating that midwestern corn fields cause midwestern summer humidity, which makes a  hot day seem hotter.

Check out the Farm Progress article by Ana Morales-Ona and Dan Quinn for the math and science supporting their conclusions.  Corn Sweat Isn’t the Sole Culprit for Oppressive Summer Heat.

It is reported that an acre of corn can put out between 5,000 and 8,000 gallons of evaporated water per day – that sounds extreme, but it is a very small fraction of the moisture that generally exists in the atmosphere.

Also check out this Nebraska Public Media article:  Don’t Blame Corn Sweat

This article notes that by the late days of July and early days of August – the most humid time of the year – corn has reached starting to mature and not releasing as much water.

The bottom line is that corn transpiration (or transevaporation) might bump the humidity needle a few points, but it’s not the sole culprit – a bigger cause is the general moisture in the atmosphere and the consequences of (yes, I will say it) climate change.