Market Impact Weather

Irma Rain to Cover Southeast

Elaine Shein
By  Elaine Shein , DTN/Progressive Farmer Associate Content Manager
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OMAHA (DTN) -- Rain from Tropical Depression Irma, and above-normal temperatures for the central part of the U.S. and Canadian Prairies this week, are the key weather items for the commodity trade's attention Tuesday.

TROPICAL UPDATE

The DTN ag weather forecast calls for Tropical Depression Irma to continue to weaken and dissipate as it drifts toward the lower Mississippi and lower Ohio River systems today and tonight. The remnant low should then move back toward the east-northeast near the southeast Midwest tomorrow.

Early this morning, the center of Hurricane Jose, with 75-mile-per-hour winds, was located 435 miles north-northeast of Grand Turk Island. Jose is moving toward the east near 6 mph (9 kilometers/hour) and this motion is expected to continue today. A turn toward the southeast is expected tonight, followed by a turn toward the southwest by Wednesday.

IRMA'S IMPACT ON SOUTHEAST U.S.

Strong winds and heavy rains associated with Tropical Storm Irma affected the Southeast U.S. yesterday. The heavy rains affected key growing areas for cotton and peanuts in the region. This is likely to delay fieldwork in the region for a while. However, slow recovery is possible, as there does not appear to be another significant risk for heavy rain, though this time of year, this always bears watching.

IRMA'S IMPACT ON FLORIDA AG

Hurricane Irma generated strong wind gusts as well as very heavy to torrential rains this past weekend. This is likely to cause significant losses to unharvested citrus fruit, as well as sugarcane and vegetables. It may also mean damage to citrus trees in some locations. This was a Category 4 hurricane when it made landfall in southwest Florida Saturday.

CUBA CROP DAMAGE FROM IRMA

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Hurricane Irma dropped south before turning north toward Florida. This brought heavy to torrential rains and powerful winds to Cuba. This likely means severe flooding and extreme wind damage, affecting unharvested sugarcane.

FROST-FREE MIDWEST PATTERN

The Midwest has mostly favorable conditions for filling, maturing and the early harvest of corn and soybeans. There is no damaging cold weather indicated during the next 10 days.

WARM AND DRY IN SOUTHERN PLAINS

In the Southern Plains, there are mostly favorable warm and dry conditions for fieldwork and planting at this time. Soil moisture continues to diminish under this fair weather pattern. Rainfall will be needed to ensure favorable pre-winter development of wheat once it has been planted.

WEEKEND SHOWERS FOR WEST TEXAS

West Texas will see mostly favorable weather for developing to open-boll cotton in the region at this time. Showers may develop during the weekend or early next week, but this does not appear to be overly concerning at this time. Above-normal temperatures will favor the developing and maturing crop.

RAIN DELAYS FOR DELTA

Delta crop areas will see rainy, breezy weather today that is unfavorable for mature crops and will likely further delay harvest. Slow improvement is possible after today.

LATE-WEEK NORTHERN PLAINS RAIN

In the Northern Plains, conditions are generally favorable for filling and maturing corn and soybeans at this time. Wet weather is expected later this week, which will be unfavorable for mature crops and harvesting for a time.

BENIGN CHINA PATTERN

Episodes of showers, light rain and a variable temperature pattern will favor late-filling crops but may be somewhat unfavorable for early maturing crops in northeastern China.

WEAKENING INDIA MONSOON

The India monsoon appears to be weakening somewhat and retreating more to the south and east. Late-season rains that hit northwest India and Pakistan recently have improved prospects for winter crops grown in the area. Wet weather may have been somewhat unfavorable for mature cotton and the early harvest of cotton at the time.

STILL DRY IN EASTERN AUSTRALIA

In eastern Australia, dryness is of much concern for wheat grown in northern New South Wales and southern Queensland. Wheat in reproductive growth stages is likely being hurt at this time. Rain is needed to stabilize crop prospects for the area. There is no significant rainfall in sight for the driest areas of east-central Australia. This is currently affecting wheat, but may also affect sorghum and cotton if the pattern continues.

Elaine Shein can be reached at elaine.shein@dtn.com

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Elaine Shein

Elaine Shein
Connect with Elaine: