Commodities Market Impact Weather

MINNEAPOLIS (DTN) -- A big storm system coming in a couple of waves to the U.S. later this week and next and a period of scattered showers continuing in Argentina and southern Brazil are the weather factors holding the market's attention Wednesday.

DOUBLE STORM THIS WEEKEND FOR MIDWEST

Soggy soils in the Midwest will be a concern for early planting of corn and soybeans later in March. A strong storm system this weekend and a secondary push early next week will add to the wetness concerns across the east. But precipitation across the Upper Midwest will improve soil moisture, especially in drought areas.

SOUTHWESTERN PLAINS WHEAT LIKELY MISSING OUT

Dry weather continues in the Southern Plains for the next few days, but a storm system will move right through the region late this week with a secondary push Sunday into Monday. Scattered mixed precipitation is likely with the systems, but chances for meaningful precipitation across the southwest drought areas continue to be low for winter wheat that is exiting dormancy. Colder temperatures following the systems will continue to be in place through at least the middle of the month, slowing any progress for wheat.

WAVES OF SHOWERS FOR PACIFIC NORTHWEST

Waves of showers continue to move through the Pacific Northwest for the next couple days, which should improve soil moisture. A stronger system will move south of the area late this week, spreading showers farther south.

NORTHERN PLAINS TURNING COLDER THIS WEEKEND

Cold temperatures will slowly take over the Northern Plains by the weekend as a strong system to the south pulls down some colder air and bring some moderate to heavy precipitation to southeastern areas over the weekend. The cold is forecast to continue through at least the middle of the month.

SOIL MOISTURE IMPROVING FOR SOUTHERN BRAZIL

More widespread showers are expected for most areas of Brazil for the next week, including across drought areas in the south. That should improve soil moisture for safrinha corn. Forecasts have mostly improved shower chances across southern areas through mid-March, which may go a long way for corn. Dryness that is forecast for the second half of March may undo some of the beneficial rainfall, however.

WIDESPREAD SHOWERS FOR ARGENTINA

Scattered showers fell across Argentina over the weekend into Monday, improving some soil moisture across the country. Another system is forecast to bring widespread showers through the area Friday through the weekend with yet another mid- to late-next week. While showers will provide some benefit for corn and soybeans, and be especially timely for some areas, dryness that follows for the rest of March will continue concerns over production.

John Baranick can be reached at john.baranick@dtn.com

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