Commodities Market Impact Weather

OMAHA (DTN) -- A cold to very cold weekend in the U.S., and El Nino-influenced rainfall in south-central South America crop areas, are the key weather items for the commodity trade's attention Thursday.

COLD MIDWEST PATTERN

The DTN ag weather forecast calls for cold to very cold conditions over the Midwest through the weekend. Temperatures will be well below normal, even for December; also, strong winds will produce bitter-cold wind chill conditions. The cold will offer some chance for harvest completion due to frozen soils supporting heavy equipment.

STORMY IN SOUTHERN PLAINS

The Southern Plains will have snow, an ice storm and heavy rain over the region Friday into Saturday. This storm will increase stress to livestock and significantly affect travel and transport. Precipitation will continue to recharge soil moisture in southern winter wheat areas. The character of this event is one that bears the earmark of an El Nino temperature pattern in the equatorial Pacific Ocean.

HEAVY RAIN EASES IN NORTHERN BRAZIL

Across Brazil, northern crop areas will see slightly less precipitation during the next week, following a period of consistent moderate to heavy amounts. Conditions remain overall favorable for the major crop areas.

NEW ROUND OF ARGENTINA RAIN

Central Argentina has moderate to locally heavy rain forecast over the next week. The rain will offer a new dose of soil moisture for corn and soybeans following a recently drier trend. The drier conditions were favorable for planting. Argentina’s pattern is showing more of an influence with developing El Nino conditions in the equatorial Pacific Ocean.

ACTIVE EUROPE PATTERN

Dry crop areas of northern Europe have benefited from more-frequent periods of rain and snow. Additional moisture, mostly as snow, is indicated during the next 10 days.

MIXED SOUTH AFRICA PATTERN

South Africa crop areas will be mainly dry and hot through the end of the week. During the weekend, scattered rains will develop, mainly in the eastern crop areas. Temperatures will modify with the oncoming precipitation.

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

Follow Bryce Anderson on Twitter @BAndersonDTN

(ES/)

Copyright 2018 DTN/The Progressive Farmer. All rights reserved.