WORTHINGTON -- A local researcher says much of the sticky, humid weather that hovers over the state in the summer could be attributed to Minnesota's abundant corn crops.

University of Minnesota biometeorologist Tim Griffis has studied moisture in the air for more than a decade.

He says his research shows more than 60 percent of local air moisture comes from farm fields. And corn is likely the highest contributor.

The National Weather Service in Des Moines, Iowa, seems to back that up. It recently said mature Iowa corn sends 49 to 56 billion gallons of water into the atmosphere each day. That can force the dew point up as much as 10 degrees on a hot summer day.

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