Market Impact Weather

OMAHA (DTN) -- Limited weekend rain benefit in Argentina, and an important rain chance in the Southern Plains, are the key weather items for the commodity trade's attention Thursday.

VARIABLE ARGENTINA RAIN CHANCE

The DTN ag weather forecast calls for a widely variable rain prospect in Argentina through the next week. Moderate to heavy rain is indicated for northern Buenos Aires and Entre Rios. However, much lighter amounts are in store for other areas; western Santa Fe and Cordoba may see only light to locally moderate showers. Drought and dryness continues to affect filling corn and soybeans. Rain, if verified, would help to stabilize crop prospects for some locations, but losses have already occurred.

SOUTHERN BRAZIL RAIN

In southern Brazil, Rio Grande do Sul has heavy rain in store by the end of the week. This may be unfavorable for maturing crops and could delay the harvest as well. Meanwhile, Parana looks drier and warmer during the coming days, which will be a beneficial combination for harvest along with planting of second-crop corn (safrinha).

WEEKEND PLAINS MOISTURE PROSPECTS

An important precipitation chance is indicated for northern through south-central and eastern sectors of the Southern Plains during the next five days. Moderate to locally heavy totals are forecast for these portions of the region. This would be very timely moisture during a period of drought for winter wheat and pasture. Southwestern portions of the region have very little precipitation forecast, however.

MIXED WESTERN MIDWEST PRECIPITATION

In the Midwest, mixed precipitation as rain or snow is indicated for southern South Dakota, Nebraska and Iowa during the next five days. Transportation delays could occur at times.

SLOW SPRING START IN EASTERN MIDWEST

Eastern and southern Midwest areas will see episodes of rain, some snow and periods of cooler weather will likely delay early fieldwork during the next six-to-10 days.

DELAYS IN DELTA

In the Delta, wet and very wet conditions will continue to hamper spring fieldwork in the region. A new system may bring more rain to the area Sunday into Monday. Warmer weather ahead of this trough will help dry fields somewhat, but cooler conditions follow, which limits potential drying after the rain event.

Bryce Anderson can be reached at bryce.anderson@dtn.com

Follow Bryce Anderson on Twitter @BAndersonDTN

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