Humid weather is relatively rare in our region in spring but is increasingly common through the summer. When the wind blows from the south across the Great Plains as it is doing this week, there is a huge transport of air northward from land closer to the Gulf of Mexico. This is the about only way we can get humid air this far north in May. Air from the Pacific Ocean loses its moisture crossing the Rockies. Air from Canada is dry this time of year. Later this summer, once air with higher humidity has had time to establish itself in the Midwest, it will become far easier for humid air to get this far north. June is typically a rainy month. Moist soils in the warmer summer air will lead to evaporation and higher humidity. Another factor in making our air humid is the establishment of crops. Once the fields in our area are covered with soybeans, corn, beets, and other crops, the process of transpiration in the plants will add humidity to the air.
