The summer months can be downright brutal as temperatures soar and humidity rises, but it can be even worse in the Midwest thanks to an unusual phenomenon known simply as "corn sweat."

Dangerous temperatures will persist across parts of the U.S. through July, and in some areas, there's an unexpected contributor.

It is “corn sweat” season. The biggest U.S. crop does influence our weather here in Michigan and across the Midwest. All plants drink up moisture from the soil and then breathe some of it out in a process called transpiration. The transpiration puts water vapor in the air and increases the humidity.