Commodities Market Impact Weather

MINNEAPOLIS (DTN) -- A big storm east of the Rockies through the weekend and limited showers in southern South America are the weather factors holding the market's attention to close out 2021.

STRONG WEEKEND STORM IN MIDWEST

Moderate to heavy precipitation is expected across most of the Midwest Friday and Saturday, including a band of freezing rain and heavy snow. The precipitation may help with some of the regional drought in the northwest but may lead to flooding in the south. Cold temperatures will sweep through the entire region behind the system this weekend but will be brief. Colder temperatures are set to return to the region mid-late next week with another arctic cold front.

WEEKEND PRECIPITATION NOT ENOUGH FOR SOUTHWESTERN PLAINS

A big system is setting up to impact the Southern Plains Friday and Saturday. Widespread showers are expected, including freezing rain and heavy snow across the northern half of the region. Cold temperatures will briefly fill in with dangerous windchill temperatures for a couple of days, which will stress livestock. Precipitation will finally come to southwestern areas, but it will be light and not have a significant impact on drought. Drier conditions will follow into next week along with another blast of arctic air.

DROUGHT REDUCTION CONTINUES FOR PACIFIC NORTHWEST

The Pacific Northwest will stay active through next week as systems move through, building up snowpack and soil moisture for spring. Drought conditions will continue to decline.

FRIGID NORTHERN PLAINS SEEING ONLY A SMALL BREAK

Some occasional light snow may drift across the Northern Plains over the next few days while the cold will continue to stress livestock. We should see a brief reprieve in the extreme cold Sunday and Monday before another arctic blast moves into the region. Cold temperatures are likely to last through at least next weekend.

ARCTIC COLD CONTINUES IN CANADIAN PRAIRIES

Arctic cold temperatures will continue in the Canadian Prairies through Saturday as the polar vortex remains over the region. There will be just a small break in the harsh temperatures Sunday and Monday before the arctic cold returns next week. Stress on livestock will continue to be extreme.

SCATTERED SHOWERS FOR SOUTHERN BRAZIL

Dry conditions over southern Brazil are a major concern for reproductive to filling corn and soybeans. Rainfall continues to be very good for central and northern Brazil, though flooding has occurred in the minor crop areas in the far northeast. Some isolated showers will pop up at times over southern areas through early next week, but very spotty with limited impact. Wetness across the north may start to impact harvest which will start in the next week or so.

LIMITED SHOWERS FOR ARGENTINA

In Argentina, dryness with high temperatures closing in on 100F continue to cause stress for developing to reproductive corn and soybeans. Some isolated showers will pop up at times into early next week, but it will be difficult for forecast rainfall to match the needs of the crops as conditions should continue to decline. Planting pace is still slow so there is time for the weather to turn around in January to aid the crops.

GOOD HARVEST CONDITIONS IN EASTERN AUSTRALIA

Some isolated showers will remain possible in eastern Australia over the next several days, but dryness is expected for most areas, benefiting remaining wheat and canola harvest. Heat that comes into southeastern Australia could start to become stressful for cotton and sorghum in drier areas this week. A subtropical system will likely stay offshore into next week, but will need to be monitored.

John Baranick can be reached at john.baranick@dtn.com

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