Commodities Market Impact Weather

April Continues Active Weather With Strong Storms to Start

John Baranick
By  John Baranick , DTN Meteorologist

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

SNOW AND SEVERE WEATHER FOR THE MIDWEST

A strong storm continues into Saturday for the Midwest with widespread precipitation, severe storms, strong winds, and a band of snow across the north as we turn the calendar to April. Another similar storm system is forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday. The wetter conditions across a lot of the region are causing a slow start to fieldwork.

CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN PLAINS WITH LIMITED SHOWERS, STRONG WINDS

A larger storm continues east of the Central and Southern Plains Friday. Northern and eastern areas are getting the precipitation while strong winds continue, sapping soil moisture. A similar large storm is expected Tuesday and Wednesday that should bring much of the same conditions as the storm this week. The outlook for the southwestern Plains remains grim as this area gets missed by yet another large storm.

SNOWPACK INCREASING IN NORTHERN PLAINS AND CANADIAN PRAIRIES

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A heavier band of snow continues in South Dakota on Friday with likely blizzard conditions for some time. Another storm Tuesday and Wednesday look to cause heavy snow and blizzard conditions again for the Northern Plains, adding to the snowpack. Low temperatures will limit melting for yet another week and the risk of significant flooding is increasing for when temperatures turn higher, perhaps abruptly.

MORE SHOWERS HEADING THROUGH DELTA

The Delta will see more showers come through with a stronger system Friday, which also brings a risk of severe weather. Another storm system is forecast to do the same for next week. The frequent precipitation is keeping fields wet and fieldwork slow.

SHOWERS ISOLATED FOR CENTRAL BRAZIL

Wet season showers have become isolated through central Brazil and while they may increase a bit next week, are forecast to remain isolated through April, leaving some concern for enough available soil moisture for developing safrinha (second-crop) 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 a front moving through Friday and another early next week. 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 fall harvest increases.

LOWER TEMPERATURES COMING TO EUROPE

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 will cause some cooler mornings and 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 through next week, but also come with lower temperatures for Ukraine, 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