Weather

MINNEAPOLIS (DTN) -- Showers are increasing in coverage across central Brazil with dry conditions in southern and central Argentina. Temperatures are also trending warmer across the Central and Southern Plains. These are the weather factors driving the markets on Tuesday.

CLIPPER SYSTEMS FAVOR NORTHERN AND EASTERN AREAS OF THE MIDWEST

After last week's warmer temperatures, a stronger system entered the region on Sunday and Monday. Strong winds, blizzard conditions, heavy snow, and thunderstorms accompanied this system. Temperatures will cool off behind this system and clipper systems will move through during the middle of the week. The next large system may not arrive until the middle of next week, with rain and a wintry mix in northern areas.

TEMPERATURES TRENDING WARMER FOR THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN PLAINS

A cold front moved through late this weekend and temperatures plummeted below freezing in the Central Plains on Monday. After the middle of this week, temperatures will trend above average and warmth will continue through early next week. Very little precipitation is in the forecast, with soil moisture falling for winter wheat areas. Warmer air has been awakening wheat as well, which will reduce winter hardiness for when cold air inevitably returns in January.

FLUCTUATING TEMPERATURES AND CLIPPER SYSTEMS IN THE NORTHERN PLAINS

Blizzard conditions developed in the eastern Dakotas late this weekend as strong winds developed behind a large system. Temperatures will fluctuate between above and below average this week with most of the warmer temperatures favoring Montana and the western Dakotas. Clipper systems will provide light snow, mainly favoring the eastern Dakotas.

MORE PRECIPITATION NEEDED IN THE MISSISSIPPI DELTA

Snowmelt across the Midwest brought a limited boost to water levels on the Mississippi River last week, but will not be able to get it above concerning levels. Showers will be limited this week with the next large system not arriving until the middle of next week. More consistent precipitation is needed to bring water levels up.

FAVORABLE CONDITIONS IN BRAZIL

Showers were isolated over west-central Brazil last week while east-central areas have been very hot and dry, concerning for soybeans that continue to get into the pod-fill stage. That will accelerate in January. Rain showers will be more widespread across central Brazil this week and showers also look to continue across southern Brazil, favorable for maturing corn.

DRY CONDITIONS PERSIST IN CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN ARGENTINA

Fronts have been moving through northern areas and providing consistent rainfall, favorable for pollinating corn. Despite a drier stretch of weather across the south, soil moisture is still largely favorable across most of the country, but moisture levels are falling. Showers look isolated in the north this week with mostly dry conditions in central and southern areas, which could increase stress on developing corn and soybeans.

SNOW SHOWERS MOVE THROUGH THE BLACK SEA, HEAVIEST IN THE CAUCASUS

Light snow showers favor Ukraine and southwest Russia this week with some areas of heavy snow in the Caucasus. A brief cold snap will arrive late this week, which could cause some winterkill in areas without adequate snow cover. However, temperatures rebound above average across much of western Russia and Ukraine this weekend and early next week.

SHOWERS REMAIN LIMITED IN AUSTRALIA

Soil moisture is still mixed around the Wheat Belt. Wheat and canola harvest is nearing the end with overall favorable conditions. Meanwhile, cotton and sorghum planting is nearly completed and is finding some unfortunate dryness in a lot of areas, causing stress. Showers look isolated for much of this week until a larger system could provide widespread rain to southeast Australia this weekend.

Teresa Wells can be reached at teresa.wells@dtn.com

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