Commodities Market Impact Weather

Western Storm Building, Spreading Rest of This Week

John Baranick
By  John Baranick , DTN Meteorologist

MINNEAPOLIS (DTN) -- Active weather in the U.S., slow snowmelt in the Northern Plains, and isolated rains in central Brazil are the weather factors driving the markets Wednesday.

ANOTHER STRONG STORM FOR THE MIDWEST

Another strong storm will move through the Midwest Thursday into Saturday with widespread precipitation, severe storms, strong winds, and a band of snow across the north as we turn the calendar to April. The wetter conditions across a lot of the region are causing a slow start to fieldwork.

CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN PLAINS WITH LIMITED SHOWERS

A larger storm builds across the Central and Southern Plains Thursday into Friday. Northern and eastern areas again look to have the best chance for precipitation while strong winds develop elsewhere, sapping soil moisture. The outlook for the southwestern Plains remains grim as this area gets missed by yet another large storm. A similar large storm is expected next week.

SNOWPACK SLOW TO MELT IN NORTHERN PLAINS AND CANADIAN PRAIRIES

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Some occasional snow continues in the Northern Plains and Canadian Prairies through Thursday, with a heavier band in South Dakota moving through on Friday that could add to the snowpack. Cold temperatures will limit melting for yet another week, and the risk of significant flooding will increase when temperatures turn higher, perhaps abruptly.

WET CONDITIONS CONTINUE IN DELTA

The Delta will get a couple dry days before more showers come through with a stronger system Friday into early Saturday. Another storm system is forecast for next week. The frequent precipitation is keeping fields wet and fieldwork slow.

SHOWERS NOW ISOLATED FOR CENTRAL BRAZIL

Wet season showers have become isolated through central Brazil and are forecast to remain that way through April, leaving some concern for enough available soil moisture for developing safrinha corn. Systems moving through Argentina will bring showers into southern Brazil, however, which may enhance showers there at times.

MORE RAIN IN ARGENTINA

Argentina continues to be active with several more fronts moving through with more showers going into April. Heavy rain last week and this week is too late to turn around damaged corn and soybeans. Temperatures look to waffle a bit more as it starts to come to fall harvest time.

SPAIN, ITALY IN NEED OF MORE RAIN

An active weather pattern continues to bring widespread showers through most of Europe through the weekend. Spain and Italy will miss out on more of the precipitation, which it needs, as it has been much drier over the last few months. After a warm start to spring in March, temperatures are trending below normal as we move into April, which may cause some cooler morning temperatures and localized frosts, along with slower development of winter grains.

GOOD GROWING CONDITIONS CONTINUE FOR BLACK SEA

Periods of showers will move through the Black Sea region going into next week, but also come with cooler temperatures, which may slow development of winter grains. Overall, though, growing conditions are mostly favorable.

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

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John Baranick