Ag Weather Forum

After a drier week last week, rainfall is returning to southern and eastern portions of the Midwest. Wet weather is expected to continue in these areas during the next five days through the weekend of March 13-15. Northern and western Midwest areas have more limited precipitation over the same time frame.

We do see the potential for near to above normal precipitation throughout the Midwest during the six-to-10-day period March 16-20. The heaviest activity will likely continue to favor southern and eastern areas. We are still looking at the potential for significant planting delays this spring, especially over southern and eastern areas.

In the Northern Plains, the next five days will be mostly dry. This stretch will offer chances for additional corn harvest. As in the Midwest, the six-to-10-day period could see some increase in precipitation, although amounts do not look to be as heavy as in the Midwest.

Southern Plains areas will have near to above normal precipitation in many sectors during the next 10 days, favorable for developing winter wheat. Soil moisture remains short in many western areas.

Mostly above normal rainfall in the Delta states during the next 10 days will cause additional flooding, delaying spring fieldwork and planting.

In South America, central Argentina has seen a turn to hot and dry conditions over the past two weeks. The forecast calls for a band of moderate-to-locally heavy rain in central areas through the next five days. This rain chance will be very important for crop moisture due to corn and soybeans in the filling stage.

Across Brazil, rainfall over the next five days looks to concentrate in northern crop areas. Central and southern locales will be drier. This will be stressful for crops in Parana and Rio Grande do Sul. Rio Grande do Sul soybean crop projections have already been lowered because of dryness. Soil moisture is favorable for crops in Mato Grosso at this time.

Michael Palmerino can be reached at michael.palmerino@dtn.com

(BA/ES)

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