Weather

MINNEAPOLIS (DTN) -- More periods of rain that will hit a lot of drought areas in the U.S. Plains, drier conditions in the Midwest, recent heat and dryness in Europe, and rainfall in Australia are the weather factors driving the markets Friday.

DRIER IN THE MIDWEST

Drier conditions are expected for a lot of the Midwest into next week, allowing for a lot of fieldwork to be completed and planting to finish up. Missouri and parts of the far west will remain somewhat active into next week, but overall drier conditions are expected. Fronts will start to move through the region around the middle of next week and bring some showers through the region. If these fronts do not bring widespread rainfall, there could be some drier areas developing as temperatures largely stay at or above normal through next week.

DAILY SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS FOR CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN PLAINS

A band of moderate showers continues to slowly push north through the Central Plains on Friday. Additional showers will develop region-wide this weekend and next week as a system passes by very slowly to the north. Overall, this is a favorable pattern for getting precipitation into the region even though not all areas are likely to be hit by good precipitation. Rain may be too late for winter crops, but will help pastures, forages, and summer crops.

SHOWERS MOVING THROUGH THE NORTHERN PLAINS, MAY BE HEAVY

Above-normal temperatures continue to give a boost to plant growth in the Northern Plains through next week. Showers will increase as a system moves into the region this weekend and continues through early next week. Models have been increasing the coverage and intensity of the showers, which would be more beneficial for drought reduction and plant growth.

RAIN BECOMING HEAVY FOR WESTERN CANADIAN PRAIRIES

Some showers have been going through the western Canadian Prairies over the last couple of days, but many areas have been warm and dry. This combination has helped to accelerate fieldwork this week that has been behind schedule all season. However, a system parking itself in the region this weekend will produce widespread rainfall through the middle of next week, giving a shorter window for making significant progress. However, it will also bring some needed rainfall, especially to western areas that may have to deal with a bit of flooding.

STALLED FRONT CONTINUING DAILY SHOWERS IN THE DELTA THROUGH THE WEEKEND

A front has been waffling around the Delta since last week, producing scattered showers and thunderstorms on a daily basis. That front will remain active through Monday before likely getting pushed southward into the Gulf next week. The frequent rainfall has brought risks of flooding, but is great for reducing drought and building deep soil moisture for the summer crop.

DRIER IN BRAZIL

Though a few showers will go through southern Brazil on Friday, dry weather is expected through next week, unfavorable for both corn and wheat. This is not unusual for corn, as most areas are fully entrenched in the dry season. But southern wheat areas require fronts moving up from Argentina to supply good moisture over the winter.

HOT AND DRY IN WESTERN EUROPE, RELIEF COMING

Hot and dry conditions in western Europe have been baking areas around France. That could have some impact on wheat, but it is getting a bit too late to have a negative impact, especially since soil moisture has been overall favorable. However, the heat could be stressful for corn and other summer crops which will rapidly advance as conditions remain drier. Chances for rain increase continent-wide this weekend and especially next week as the pattern breaks down and allows multiple systems through the continent. That would be very favorable if it verifies.

COOL AND SHOWERS FOR BLACK SEA REGION

A system has moved into the Black Sea region this week, bringing scattered showers and much cooler temperatures through early next week. Frosts are a risk for some far northern areas, but are unlikely to have much of an impact to production even though wheat is vulnerable there. The cooler and rainy conditions would be somewhat unfavorable for corn and other summer crops, which could use some heat and sunshine. Showers get more isolated next week while temperatures slowly rise.

MORE SHOWERS FOR AUSTRALIA

A system brought many days of scattered showers and pockets of heavy rain to eastern Australia this week. The upcoming pattern favors a few more systems scraping by the southern end of the country through the first half of June, bringing some needed showers for winter wheat and canola establishment. Recent and forecast precipitation are giving a boost to the country during a time when drier conditions are more likely because of the building El Nino.

LIMITED SHOWERS IN CENTRAL AND NORTHERN CHINA

Above-normal temperatures are building into central and northeast China, but won't last long as a strong cold front moves through next week and brings in some cooler air for the central and especially the northeast. Additional showers may form along the front for later next week as it stalls in the region.

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

(c) Copyright 2026 DTN, LLC. All rights reserved.