See how corn sweat affects humidity and summer heat in states like Ohio. Explore the science behind how cornfields contribute to atmospheric moisture.

In Iowa, corn pumps out "a staggering 49 to 56 billion gallons of water into the atmosphere each day" throughout the state, the National Weather Service said. That can add 5 to 10 degrees to the dew point, a measure of the humidity in the air, on a hot summer day.

This year's Olathe sweet corn crop is now arriving at grocery stores and farm stands. Why it matters: The sweet treat is unique to Colorado and a harbinger of summer's midpoint. Dig in: We called Reid Fishering at Mountain Quality Farms in Olathe to check on this summer's crop.

Corn sweat. Yes, the term for how the crop can drive up the humidity through a process called evapotranspiration is a thing. How much of a thing is corn sweat, though?

Growing season is the peak time for corn sweat, especially in the mid to late summer, according to the National Weather Service. Corn sweat contributes most to humidity during July and August.

If these dog days of summer are feeling a little more stifling this year, you can blame it on crops in the midwest.

The millions of acres of corn grown in states like Ohio, Illinois and Iowa perspire just like any other plant. A single acre sweats 3,000 to 4,000 gallons of water every day.

As we experience some uncomfortable humidity in the Northwoods this week, you may have heard the term “corn sweat” being thrown around.