It’s been extra humid and muggy lately in Kentucky. Corn isn’t helping matters
As Lexington experiences above-normal temperatures and humid conditions, “corn sweat” is making residents feel even hotter in some areas.
Corn sweat refers to the moisture corn releases in the atmosphere through the process of evapotranspiration, Brian Neudorff, meteorologist with the National Weather Service Louisville office, said in a July 23 interview with the Herald-Leader.
Heat draws moisture out of corn in a similar way to how it causes people to sweat, Neudorff added. Corn sweat is not the only cause of humidity, but can contribute to the air’s moisture in rural areas or anywhere relatively close to cornfields.
Those who live in cities or suburban areas that aren’t very close to cornfields probably don’t feel much effect from corn sweat, Neudorff said. However, all the moisture in the ground from rain the Lexington area has experienced recently is likely contributing to humidity.
An acre of corn can give off anywhere between 3,000 to 4,000 gallons of water per day, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Humidity can have an outsized effect on how hot it feels outside. When there is too much moisture in the air, we’re not able to cool ourselves off efficiently, Neudorff said.
“And so we just keep sweating and sweating, and it doesn’t come off of us and doesn’t evaporate,” Neudorff said. “And that’s why we feel hotter, because our body’s working harder to try to cool ourselves off.”
July is in the midst of peak corn season, and during this time of year crops give off more moisture than usual.
The NWS reports Paducah has seen an unusually long duration of high humidity levels this summer, primarily due to the area getting more rain than what’s typical.
“It is very likely we will break the longest streak of consecutive days with the dew point (a measure of humidity) reaching 70 degrees or higher,” the NWS Paducah office said in a July 24 Facebook post. “While 70 is considered very humid, many of the days we have been in the 75 to 80 degree range, which feels that much worse!”
Relief may be in sight, however. There’s a chance early August will bring drier, less humid air to Paducah, NWS reports.
Safety tips for heatwaves
Lexington has several days of above-normal temperatures in the forecast, according to the NWS. A normal high temperature for Lexington in July is about 87 degrees Fahrenheit, Neudorff said, and the area has high temperatures forecast between 93 and 95 degrees for the next few days.
Here’s a roundup of safety tips from NWS on coping with heatwaves:
Drink plenty of water and electrolytes, and avoid alcohol.
Apply sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every two hours.
Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
Take regular breaks in the shade.
Reduce, cancel or reschedule strenuous activities until the coolest time of day.
Minimize direct sun exposure.
Spend time in the air conditioning, if possible.
Check on any neighbors who may need help responding to the heat.
Do you have a question about the weather in Kentucky for our service journalism team? We’d like to hear from you. Email ask@herald-leader.com or fill out our Know Your Kentucky form.
This story was originally published July 24, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
