Commodities Market Impact Weather

Widespread Rains, Blizzard Moving Through the US

John Baranick
By  John Baranick , DTN Meteorologist

MINNEAPOLIS (DTN) -- Another blizzard in the Northern Plains, widespread rains elsewhere in the United States, and decreasing soil moisture across central Brazil are the weather factors holding the market's attention on Friday.

PERIOD OF DRYNESS AFTER STRONG STORM IN THE MIDWEST

A storm system will bring more precipitation through the Midwest this weekend going into early next week. Recent and forecast precipitation will make it difficult for fieldwork and planting. Though temperatures are on a warming trend into the weekend, lower temperatures will arrive behind another cold front for next week, keeping soil temperatures sub-optimal for this time of year. There will be a drier period next week where soils may drain and possibly allow for more planting progress despite the cold.

LIMITED SHOWERS FOR SOUTHERN PLAINS WHEAT

A storm system will slowly move through the Southern Plains through Monday. Chances for precipitation in western areas are low, but not zero. Northern and eastern areas should see rounds of showers as the system slowly moves through. Windy conditions with the storm are unfavorable in drier soils and cause wildfire threats. Drought continues to have negative impacts on much of the region.

COLD AND WET IN PACIFIC NORTHWEST

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Below-normal temperatures continue across the Pacific Northwest through the weekend as well as some periods of showers. Another couple of systems next week could provide more showers while keeping temperatures below normal. The moisture continues to favor increases for wheat already in the ground, while damp and cold conditions will make planting spring wheat more difficult.

ANOTHER BLIZZARD FOR NORTHERN PLAINS

Heavy snow cover in the Northern Plains will take a long time to melt away, but have limited ways for runoff, which may produce overland flooding as it does melt. A storm system moving through this weekend will dump more heavy snow on western areas, and strong winds will again create blizzard conditions. That is followed by more cold air going into next week. There is potential for yet another strong storm next weekend with details yet to be determined.

DELTA FINDING SOME DRIER PLANTING WINDOWS

Scattered showers moved over northern areas of the Delta on Wednesday and Thursday. Another system will move through the region this weekend into early next week. While showers will make it difficult to plant at times, a period of drier weather next week should make for some better fieldwork and planting windows.

CENTRAL BRAZIL CORN SUFFERING

Central Brazil has entered the dry season about two weeks early and declining soil moisture well ahead of the start has developing to pollinating corn in a difficult situation. Southern areas have seen better precipitation in April and more showers are expected to move across the region through next week, favoring developing to pollinating corn and increasing soil moisture for wheat planting and establishment.

WIDESPREAD SHOWERS FOR ARGENTINA

Scattered showers are expected to continue in waves across Argentina through next week. Showers at this point in the season will have limited positive effects for corn and soybeans while hampering the ongoing harvest. Wheat areas are more favored as planting gets underway.

PERIODS OF SHOWERS FOR BLACK SEA

An upper-level system brought beneficial scattered showers to the Black Sea region this week, increasing soil moisture for wheat, but making it difficult to plant corn. Another system or two will move at least across Ukraine this weekend into next week with more showers.

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

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John Baranick