Every summer in the Midwest, residents brace themselves for not only sweltering temperatures but something a bit more mysterious – a stifling heat that seemingly sticks to the skin. But that is much more than the imagination; it might actually be corn sweat. As strange as it sounds, this real and powerful phenomenon, known scientifically as evapotranspiration, actually plays a key role in driving up humidity. That’s especially true during the dog days of summer. And with people becoming more knowledgeable about the country’s agricultural industry , this important issue has gotten more attention. But what exactly is corn sweat and why is it turning fields of corn into giant humidifiers? Let’s break down the science, scale and quirky facts behind one of nature’s most bizarre weather contributors . What is corn sweat? Corn sweat is the nickname for evapotranspiration, which is a natural process, as The Smithsonian describes . During this process, plants (but corn in particular),...