Market Impact Weather

OMAHA (DTN) -- A stormy late-week forecast for the Midwest, and more chronic dryness in the Southern Plains, are the key weather items for the commodity trade's attention Wednesday.

STRONG MIDWEST STORM FORECAST

The DTN ag weather forecast continues to call for a powerful storm system to move into the Midwest at the end of this week. This is likely to produce moderate to heavy rain, strong winds and severe thunderstorms. Rain likely changes to snow and blowing snow through northwest areas Friday night or during Saturday. Snow may also develop into the north-central Midwest Saturday. This is likely to further delay spring fieldwork and early corn planting.

LATE-WEEK STORM FOR NORTHERN PLAINS

The Northern Plains has more cold and wet conditions forecast during the balance of this week. A major storm system is expected to bring rain changing to snow, along with very strong winds, to South Dakota, southern North Dakota and central Minnesota at the end of this week through the coming weekend. It is likely to produce an area of heavy snow and when combined with high winds should lead to blizzard conditions for some locations. Increased stress to livestock is likely. Spring planting delays continue. Snow and possible blizzard conditions may also affect Montana during this period.

DRY AND WINDY IN SOUTHERN PLAINS

Across the Southern Plains, very dry conditions are expected during the next 10 days in most major wheat areas. This dryness, along with strong winds, will maintain high stress levels on the developing wheat in the region. Crop ratings are at 20-year lows. Extreme wildfire danger covers the entire region Wednesday.

RAINY DELTA FORECAST

The Delta has a new round of thunderstorms forecast for later this week, with moderate to heavy rainfall expected. Fieldwork and planting disruptions are likely.

LATE-SEASON ARGENTINA RAIN

Late-season rain continues in central Argentina. This is unlikely to change the drought-damaged row crop outlook. However, there is some benefit for winter wheat soil moisture.

STABLE BRAZIL PATTERN

Across Brazil, central crop areas have a mostly dry forecast through the rest of the week. This does not appear threatening to second-crop (safrinha) corn, however, due to favorable soil moisture.

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

Follow Bryce Anderson on Twitter @BAndersonDTN

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