South America Calling

Heavy rains have fallen across Argentina in the 12 days since Jan. 15 and have amounted to significant totals and a turnaround from recent dryness.

Scattered showers started to develop in Argentina Jan. 15 and will be in the area through Jan. 27 before moving farther into Brazil and returning to a drier La Nina pattern. Will the rains be enough to undo the drought?

After weeks of hot and dry conditions that have caused crop conditions to steadily decline, widespread heavy showers are forecast for about a week across Argentina and Southern Brazil.

There has been no significant change to the wetness across central and northern Brazil, and the dryness across Argentina and southern Brazil. That is a worrisome outlook for both areas.

Rainfall has been very generous for central and northern Brazil. But continued wetness may cause other issues for soybeans and first-crop corn, and possibly second-crop corn.

One front moving through during the next two weeks will produce some scattered showers over Argentina and southern Brazil, but showers will be spotty and amounts are likely to be low.

Dryness concerns are starting to have an impact on crop health in Argentina and southern Brazil.

La Nina typically leads to a period of dryness in Argentina and southern Brazil from spring into early summer. The forecast continues to suggest this will be the case during the entire summer season, while central and northern Brazil continue to find favorable conditions.

Precipitation during the next several weeks is going to be paramount to the record production forecast for Brazil soybeans as they enter flowering stages of growth. Full-season corn is also hoping for good rains as it enters pollination.

Weather patterns over Argentina and southern Brazil have been following a La Nina pattern this spring, ahead of its declaration by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology that occurred Nov. 23. December looks to continue that pattern, which is a concern for corn and soybean...

The first half of November has been fairly generous to many producers in Argentina. But La Nina continues to assert its influence on South American weather. Typical drier stretches being broken up by occasional quick fronts are the norm going into summer.

Isolated showers this week took the bite out of the return to a La Nina pattern in Argentina this week. A couple of active fronts will move through the region this weekend into early next week.

A break from the La Nina pattern over Argentina is coming to a close. But showers will not completely dry up going into next week.

Dryness and the La Nina pattern across Argentina and southern Brazil is going to take a break this weekend into next week.

With thoughts of last season firmly in mind for Brazil producers, planting progress has advanced well ahead of schedule. Weather has cooperated with these efforts.

It has taken a while, but the Pacific Ocean has started to influence the weather pattern in South America like we expect.

Showers have been more absent over Argentina during the last week. Showers need to return soon to make sure that dryness and drought do not take over.

Daily showers and thunderstorms have been ongoing in central Brazil since Sept. 25, though amounts have not been impressive. The continuation of these showers for the foreseeable future points to interesting planting dynamics across the region. Meanwhile, storm systems...

Models have been going through some inconsistencies with regards to precipitation in central Brazil over the last several weeks. Scattered showers moving into the region this weekend and next week may or may not "officially" start the wet season but could get producers out...

Eyes have been on the start to the wet season in central Brazil. What looked to be a possible early start last week does not look that way anymore.