As a heat wave takes over a large portion of the country, many are bracing for muggy conditions, especially those nearby corn fields. The phenomenon known as “corn sweat” plays a huge role in dew points across the Corn Belt during heat waves.

Southeast Michigan braces for extreme heat and possible thunderstorms, prompting advisories for high heat index values and storm risks.

Corn Sweat is also called evapotranspiration. It is a tool that a crop will use to cool itself, according to La Crosse NWS Meteorologist Jeff Boyne. Corn and soybean crops may reach their peak in the Corn Belt at different stages throughout the summer that may contribute to the humidity.

Michigan farmers harvest 297 million bushels of corn from 2.3 million acres of farmland, according to the Michigan Agriculture Council. While corn sweat and high moisture-levels don’t ...