Market Impact Weather

OMAHA (DTN) -- An unsettled Midwest pattern, and only marginal dryness easing from showers in the Southern Plains this weekend, are the key weather items for the commodity trade's attention Thursday.

VARIABLE MIDWEDST PATTERN

The DTN ag weather forecast calls for continued delays to Midwest fieldwork, notably in the northern portion following a round of snow and ice Wednesday. Precipitation and cold spring weather will keep fieldwork at a standstill for a while longer. A slow warmup and a storm track well to the south may allow conditions to improve somewhat during the seven-day period. However, rain chances over the region increase during the 10-day timeframe, suggesting that fieldwork improvement may be minimal.

SLOW WARMING FOR NORTHERN PLAINS

Low temperatures continue to delay early spring fieldwork in the Northern Plains, and also maintain above normal stress levels on livestock. A somewhat-improving temperature pattern is possible during the next seven days.

LIMITED SOUTHERN PLAINS DROUGHT EASING

Light to moderate rain is indicated through the end of the week over the Southern Plains. However, the rain amounts offer only brief easing of drought conditions, especially considering the recent strong and very dry winds that have affected the region.

WEEKEND DELTA RAIN FORECAST

Delta producers have a mainly dry pattern through the end of the week, which will be favorable for fieldwork and planting progress. Moderate to heavy rain is indicated to move into the region during the last part of the coming weekend.

FAVORABLE BRAZIL PATTERN

Brazil's crop areas have additional rainfall ahead through the end of the week, mostly in the central and northern locales. This is favorable for second-crop (safrinha) corn.

LATE-WEEK CHINA HEAT

China's primary wheat areas have turned hot and dry again at the end of this week. The next chance for rain comes this weekend with scattered thunderstorms expected to favor south and east areas. This should include important winter wheat areas of Henan and Shandong.

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

Follow Bryce Anderson on Twitter @BAndersonDTN

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