Weather

OMAHA (DTN) -- Variable South America rainfall prospects, and indications of wheat freeze damage in Argentina, are the key weather items for the commodity trade's attention Friday.

MIXED MIDWEST TREND

The DTN ag weather forecast calls for rain through the first half of the weekend in the southern and east-central Midwest to further disrupt the final harvest effort; Delta harvest will also be affected. There's more favorable weather for any remaining corn harvest elsewhere in the Midwest and in the Northern Plains.

WIND EASES IN SOUTHERN PLAINS

The Southern Plains had strong, damaging winds Thursday. The pattern turns milder with an easing of the windy conditions through the weekend.

POSSIBLE SOUTHEAST FLOODING

Delta and Southeast areas have moderate to heavy rain in store during the end of the week. Some flooding is possible. In addition to flood potential, the rain will disrupt the late harvest, and potentially cause crop loss.

VARIABLE BRAZIL RAIN

In Brazil's major crop areas, the southern sector will see increasing thunderstorms during the next week. The most activity will be in Rio Grande do Sul. Areas from Parana to Mato Grosso have light rainfall, along with above normal temperatures. This situation bears watching; some crop stress is reported to be occurring in recently drier areas.

HEAVY CENTRAL ARGENTINA RAIN

In central Argentina, northern Buenos Aires and Santa Fe states received heavy rain and strong winds Thursday and Thursday night. The rain is disrupting planting and may cause some flooding-out of corn and soybean acreage.

ARGENTINA WHEAT FREEZE DAMAGE

Freezing temperatures in early December have caused some noticeable damage to the Argentina wheat crop. Private estimates indicate that a 5% cut in production is likely because of the freeze.

BLACK SEA SNOW COVER

In the Black Sea region, moderate to heavy snow and rain occurred over most areas this week. The snow provides winter protection from increasingly colder weather.

DRY SOUTH AFRICA FORECAST

South Africa crop areas again have a very warm to hot and dry forecast for the next week. Benefit from rainfall during the past weekend will be brief.

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

Follow Bryce Anderson on Twitter @BAndersonDTN

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