Michigan’s Humidity Has a Weird Culprit: Corn Sweats

I don't know if you've noticed, but it's been extremely humid in Michigan the last month or so. Between the rain, the fog, and how big my hair is, you can definitely tell how humid the Mitten State has been recently.

I wonder if we might all be suffering from the 'corn sweats'.

What Are Corn Sweats?

The corn sweats aren't like the meat sweats, where one eats a little bit too much meat and then becomes excessively sweaty. Instead, the corn does the proverbial 'sweating' in this scenario.

Corn sweats occur when corn crops release excess water vapor into the air. Michigan—and the Midwest in general—is home to millions of acres of crops, meaning an enormous amount of excess water is released into the atmosphere.

Why Michigan Gets So Humid

Just how much water? Well, on average, one acre of corn gives off anywhere from 3,000 to 4,000 gallons of water through a process called evapotranspiration.

That extra moisture can make the air feel much heavier, causing the heat index to climb even when the actual temperature doesn't.

Let's not forget Michigan also has about 2 million acres of soybeans releasing moisture into the air. It's no wonder that Michigan has been so humid lately. With it being so humid, it's going to feel a lot hotter. Make sure you stay cool and hydrated.

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Now, I'm no scientist. But, there are some actual scientists that weighed in on this on TikTok video that explains the science behind corn sweats in much more detail.