Corn sweat phenomenon increases humidity in Louisiana

The phenomenon known as ‘corn sweat’ is contributing to increased humidity levels in Louisiana. This term refers to evapotranspiration, a process where corn plants release moisture into the atmosphere through tiny openings in their leaves called stomata.

According to Dr. Shelly Pate Kerns, a corn specialist for the LSU AgCenter, plants engage in this process during high temperatures to prevent excessive moisture loss that could hinder growth. During peak growing periods, a single acre of corn can release between 3,000 and 5,000 gallons of water into the air over a one-to-two-day period.

While corn sweat adds significant moisture to the air, it does not cause heat waves. Large-scale weather patterns, such as high-pressure systems and stagnant air masses, remain the primary drivers of extreme heat.