72 - Corn Sweats? What Else Affects Weather Than Just Weather?

In this episode, I explore the fascinating ways that local environments shape the weather we experience daily. While most people think of weather as something driven by large systems like cold fronts and jet streams, there are countless small-scale influences that can dramatically shift conditions in your town, your backyard, or even your campsite. From cornfields and beavers to urban heat and volcanic dust, this episode uncovers the hidden factors that contribute to your local forecast. 

Lakes That Redirect Storms
I talk about how lakes—especially in regions with many small or large bodies of water—can influence storm paths, weakening systems or splitting them before they reach certain towns. This isn’t just rumor; the science behind water’s heat absorption helps explain it. 

Terrain and the Driftless Effect
Rolling hills, bluffs, and valleys create pockets of cool and warm air that interact in complex ways. I share examples of how terrain impacts storm development and even challenge the idea that bluffs can block tornadoes. 

Cities and the Urban Heat Island
Concrete, asphalt, and rooftops create hot zones in urban areas, which can intensify storm systems. I discuss how cities like Chicago frequently experience more intense storms due to their built environments—and how rooftop gardens might be part of the solution. 

The Truth About Corn Sweat
Yes, it’s real—and it affects weather. During peak growing season, cornfields release massive amounts of water vapor into the air, which boosts humidity and can even help create thunderstorms. I explain how this phenomenon earned its nickname and why it matters during the summer. 

Natural and Human Contributions
From forests that cool and moisten the air to beavers that engineer wetlands, nature plays an active role in weather. I also cover how modern technology, like airplanes and wind turbines, adds new variables to local climate. Even volcanic eruptions and Saharan dust clouds affect regional conditions thousands of miles away. 

Takeaways:
Weather is far more local than most people realize. Lakes, crops, animals, and even the materials in our cities all contribute to what we experience outside. Understanding these micro-influences helps explain why one town gets rain while the next remains dry—or why a forecasted 90-degree day doesn’t quite reach its peak. Paying attention to the environment around us reveals just how many factors shape the weather beyond what the forecasts show. 

Jill’s Links 

https://buzzblossomandsqueak.com/?p=447

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/smallstepspod

Buzz Blossom and Squeak Website https://buzzblossomandsqueak.com/ 

Twitter - https://twitter.com/schmern 

Blog Headquarters at https://abetterlifeinsmallsteps.com/ 

Email the podcast at mailto: jill@startwithsmallsteps.com