Market Impact Weather

OMAHA (DTN) -- A cold pattern for the Midwest during the coming weekend, and no major disruption to Brazil harvest progress, are the key weather items for the commodity trade's attention Friday.

COLD MIDWEST WEEKEND

The DTN ag weather forecast calls for cold air to spread across the Midwest during the coming weekend. Temperatures will range between 10 and 20 degrees Fahrenheit below normal. The cold weather is not expected to damage crops, but it will curtail thoughts of spring field work. Portions of the region will also have light to moderate snow, adding to moisture along with causing some transportation delays.

NO CHANGE IN SOUTHERN PLAINS DRYNESS

Soil moisture continues to decline in the Southern Plains. Strong to very strong winds and very low dew points earlier this week have likely pulled moisture from the ground and emerged wheat at an even faster rate than normal. There is no meaningful precipitation indicated in the forecast through the next seven days.

WEEKEND NORTHERN PLAINS SNOWSTORM

Northern Plains' areas will have snow and cold winds through the weekend. This storm will bring very cold and stressful conditions for transport and livestock. The pattern turns milder during the six- to 10-day period.

LIGHT SNOW FOR WESTERN CANADIAN PRAIRIES

Light to moderate snow is in store for the western Canadian Prairies through the weekend. Eastern and southeastern areas, where spring flood potential is highest, will be mostly dry.

BENEFICIAL BRAZIL HARVEST TREND

Central Brazil will have a drier and hotter trend for at least a few more days, possibly longer. This should help improve conditions for mature crops and harvesting. Mostly favorable conditions for second crop corn in central Brazil areas remain in effect. Generally favorable conditions for filling soybeans are also in effect in southern Brazil, although there is a risk that it may become too wet in Rio Grande do Sul.

MILD ARGENTINA PATTERN

Argentina has light showers in store through the weekend with seasonal temperatures. This is a favorable combination for filling corn and soybeans.

DRIER TREND FOR FRANCE

In Western Europe, generous rains during the first 10 days of March has helped ease concerns for crops that are well-ahead of normal development, following a drier than normal winter season. However, a turn to less rainfall during the next 10 days will need to be watched.

COOLER TREND FOR RUSSIA

In Russia and Ukraine, recent warm weather has melted much, if not all, of the protective snow cover and even led to some greening of crops in southern areas. The crop would be more vulnerable in the event of a turn to colder conditions. Cooler and unsettled weather is likely next week, possibly much cooler, but it is not expected that this would be cold enough to cause harm to the crop at this stage.

BENEFICIAL INDIA SHOWERS

A round of light to moderate rain moving through wheat areas of north-central India and Pakistan during the next two days will benefit wheat moving through the post-dormancy stages.

FAVORABLE WEEKEND IN SOUTH AFRICA

South Africa crops will benefit from a warmer period with only scattered shower activity, after prior heavy rains hit the region.

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

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