Commodities Market Impact Weather

Midwest, Plains Benefit From Boosted Soil Moisture

Elaine Shein
By  Elaine Shein , DTN/Progressive Farmer Associate Content Manager
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OMAHA (DTN) -- A stormy pattern helping to bring beneficial moisture to the U.S. winter wheat crop, and some chances for showers next week in Argentina, are the primary features for the commodity market's attention Thursday.

MIDWEST SOIL MOISTURE BOOST

A system brought moderate to heavy precipitation through much of the Midwest during the last two days. The DTN Ag Weather forecast calls for the second piece to the storm to produce more freezing rain Thursday night into Friday as the system moves north, with freezing rain changing over to snow in the west and north. A much-needed boost to soil moisture is anticipated from the dual low-pressure systems.

STORMY PATTERN FOR CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN PLAINS

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In the Southern Plains, a front produced mostly rain across the southern half of the region on Wednesday. A secondary low-pressure center developing on Thursday in Texas will bring showers back through the southeastern half of the region through Friday before exiting. More ice and snow are expected across much of this portion of the region. Showers this week will do much to increase soil moisture for dormant winter wheat. Temperatures falling below normal will rise above normal next week. Short-term stress to livestock is expected in the interim. In the extended outlook, there are more chances for showers in the region next week; temperatures will be near to above normal Tuesday to Friday, and near to below normal Saturday.

WARM PATTERN FOR NORTHERN PLAINS

In the Northern Plains, temperatures will remain above normal during the next 10 days with lower-than-normal stress on livestock.

SCATTERED SHOWERS FOR BRAZIL

Scattered showers continue to fall across the middle of Brazil but are mostly light to moderate outside of some localized heavy areas. Corn and soybeans in the reproduction to filling stage are finding tough conditions as showers continue to be scattered and lighter than normal. Southern areas have been stressed lately as showers have been more isolated. A system will bring more scattered showers over southern areas Thursday, but look to be brief, as showers move back into central Brazil through the weekend and into next week, causing stress to reproductive corn and soybeans. On the temperature side, from Jan. 1 to Jan. 4, above-normal temperatures are expected, except for southern Brazil.

CHANCE FOR SHOWERS IN ARGENTINA

In Argentina, scattered showers fell across much of the country during the last two days. However, they have not been overly widespread or heavy.

With dryness from last week, the showers were quite welcome. Dryness will follow behind the system through the weekend for most areas. Areas that are missed are likely to find more stressful conditions, though western areas may see some isolated showers over the weekend into early next week. A system in the middle of next week may produce additional showers. As for temperatures, from Jan. 1 to Jan. 4, Argentina will see below-normal temperatures during the period, but above-normal temperatures are forecast to start Saturday for a few days.

Elaine Shein can be reached at elaine.shein@dtn.com

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Elaine Shein

Elaine Shein
Connect with Elaine: