“Heat waves today are different than they were a half-century ago because they are more frequently accompanied by extreme spikes in humidity,” Changnon said. “I strongly suspect that changes in agricultural methods — particularly in the area of corn production — are playing a major role in this by adding more water vapor to the lower atmosphere of the Upper Midwest.”
Higher humidity means higher nighttime temperatures.
“…….more water vapor to the lower atmosphere of the Upper Midwest.”
I’m wondering where he thinks the water came from?
Irrigation and enhanced evapotranspiration in corn.
Yes, but where did the irrigated water come from? The enhanced evapotranspirtation only speeds the process.
Corn increases the humidity by introducing water to the air which would have otherwise been underground.
So ethanol is warming the air, COOL
How long do we have before the corn kills us all?
All that corn acts to keep max temps down during the day, too. The number of 100°+ days has dramatically decreased over the years in the Midwest, thanks to the crops. Corn. Is there anything it can’t do? 🙂
Is he trying to say there was no corn in Iowa until recently?