Extreme heat prevailing in the Midwest in the USA

» Published:

Extreme heat prevailing in the Midwest in the USA
Photo: Charlie Riedel/AP/TT

Share this article

In May, "sweating" corn exacerbates the extreme heat prevailing in the Midwest in the USA – where 55 million people are affected by warnings for high temperatures. The moisture that corn and other crops release at high temperatures, evapotranspiration, contributes to increased air humidity, making the heat feel more intense, reports The Guardian.

It is worth noting that two of the states where the heat wave is worst, Iowa and Illinois, account for a third of the USA's corn production. This contributes to the inhabitants feeling even warmer – at the same time as temperatures between 41 and 46 degrees are expected.

It is the plants that react to the warmer weather. Then they also need more moisture, so they take up more water from the soil and release it into the atmosphere, says Chris Clark, agronomist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, to a local CBS channel.

A cornfield of approximately half a hectare can create up to 15,000 liters of "corn sweat", according to Clark.

Heat waves are becoming more frequent, longer, and hotter due to climate change, according to research.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Memorial Service for Charlie Kirk in Arizona on September 21

Memorial Service for Charlie Kirk in Arizona on September 21

Love Motive Suspected in Charlie Kirk's Murder Investigation

Love Motive Suspected in Charlie Kirk's Murder Investigation

US Expert: Polarization No Longer Describes America's Divisions

US Expert: Polarization No Longer Describes America's Divisions

New Vaccine Offers Hope Against Chlamydia for Australia's Koalas

New Vaccine Offers Hope Against Chlamydia for Australia's Koalas

Zelenskyj Urges Allies to Strengthen Sanctions on Russian Oil

Zelenskyj Urges Allies to Strengthen Sanctions on Russian Oil

Sudan Government Rejects Peace Plan Excluding Warring Parties

Sudan Government Rejects Peace Plan Excluding Warring Parties

Rubio Affirms US Support for Israel Amid Qatar Attack Concerns

Rubio Affirms US Support for Israel Amid Qatar Attack Concerns

Venezuela Accuses USA of Harassing Fishermen in Economic Zone

Venezuela Accuses USA of Harassing Fishermen in Economic Zone

Mother Admits to Killing Children Found in Suitcases in New Zealand

Mother Admits to Killing Children Found in Suitcases in New Zealand

Russian Drone Enters Romanian Airspace Amid Ukraine Conflict

Russian Drone Enters Romanian Airspace Amid Ukraine Conflict

Ukrainian Drone Hits Major Russian Oil Refinery Causing Fire

Ukrainian Drone Hits Major Russian Oil Refinery Causing Fire

Poland Conducts Air Maneuver After Russian Airspace Violation

Poland Conducts Air Maneuver After Russian Airspace Violation

Taliban Seeks Normalized Relations with USA Amid Prisoner Exchange Talks

Taliban Seeks Normalized Relations with USA Amid Prisoner Exchange Talks

Gas Explosion in Madrid Injures at Least 25 People

Gas Explosion in Madrid Injures at Least 25 People

Is Africa Prepared for Its Rapidly Aging Population?

Is Africa Prepared for Its Rapidly Aging Population?

Sanctions on Russian Oil Could Benefit US, Says Expert

Sanctions on Russian Oil Could Benefit US, Says Expert

Musk Joins Right-Wing Extremist Rally in London via Video Link

Musk Joins Right-Wing Extremist Rally in London via Video Link

Trump Proposes New Sanctions if NATO Halts Russian Oil Imports

Trump Proposes New Sanctions if NATO Halts Russian Oil Imports

Mayor and 47 Officials Arrested in Istanbul Raid

Mayor and 47 Officials Arrested in Istanbul Raid

Children Among Casualties in Israeli Attacks on Gaza City

Children Among Casualties in Israeli Attacks on Gaza City