Weather

MINNEAPOLIS (DTN) -- More periods of rain that will hit a lot of drought areas in the U.S. including some building dry spots in the Midwest, recent heavy rain in Alberta, and recent rainfall in Europe and Australia are the weather factors driving the markets Thursday.

RAINFALL INCREASING FOR THE MIDWEST, SLIGHTLY DRIER EAST

A system will drag a cold front through the Midwest over the next several days, producing areas of showers and thunderstorms. The western end of the region will see multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms while it will be more of a passing feature in the east. More disturbances moving through next week should add to the shower potential and some areas in the west may end up with too much rainfall, like in Missouri where flooding has been a problem over the last month. We may still see some areas getting missed that would be somewhat of a concern for developing drought in a few unlucky spots, but the forecast favors an active pattern for the second half of June and beyond, limiting the overall impact of dryness.

DAILY SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS FOR CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN PLAINS

A system in the Northern Plains has been producing rounds of showers and thunderstorms across the Central and Southern Plains this week and continues into the weekend even though the system is leaving the Plains. Additional fronts and disturbances moving through the area will keep showers going for a lot of the region through next week. That will help with boosting soil moisture and reducing drought and impacts for summer crops, though winter wheat is heading toward maturity and could actually use some hotter and drier conditions for harvest.

PERIODS OF SHOWERS CONTINUE IN THE NORTHERN PLAINS

A system did a great job of producing a lot of rain in the Northern Plains over the last several days, but the busy pattern is only starting. Multiple disturbances, systems, and fronts moving through over the next week or two should bring almost daily showers and thunderstorms to the region. The recent and forecast rainfall is helping to boost soil moisture and ease stress.

SHOWERS CONTINUING ACROSS THE CANADIAN PRAIRIES

A big system has brought multiple rounds of rainfall through the Canadian Prairies since the weekend, producing areas of heavy rain, especially across Alberta and far western Saskatchewan. To the east, showers have been more scattered, allowing producers to continue fieldwork to some degree, but also being heavy at times, maintaining good soil moisture. Producers in Alberta have had to stop because of the consistent, heavy rain. Breaks in the weather are going to be short-lived as round after round of showers and thunderstorms are forecast through next week. Flooding may be a problem in several areas, and those with planting yet to do will have a difficult time doing so.

DROUGHT DECREASING IN THE DELTA

The recent run of rainfall has done a great job of increasing soil moisture and reducing the impacts of drought in the Delta. Even though large deficits still remain in some areas, especially in the north, the effects of drought have been significantly reduced. Rainfall should return this weekend with a stalling front nearby, which may mean several rounds of showers through next week.

WIDESPREAD DRYNESS IN BRAZIL, SOME SHOWERS RETURNING

It has been very dry lately in much of Brazil, unfavorable for both corn and wheat. Though some showers may move through early next week, drier conditions continue to be unfavorable for filling corn and wheat establishment. Models are keying in on another system for late next week that could bring about more widespread rainfall.

SHOWERS MOVING ACROSS EUROPE

Multiple systems continue to move through Europe into at least early next week, bringing through widespread areas of rainfall which will help to soften soils after last week's hot and dry conditions caused stress. Another drier stretch is likely to start by the middle of next week, which may cause some higher temperatures in parts of the continent as well. Despite that, no significant areas of concern are noted at this time.

SHOWERY IN THE BLACK SEA REGION, ESPECIALLY WEST

Systems moving through Europe will continue to produce some showers into next week, mostly for western areas of the Black Sea region that are somewhat drier. It may be a bit drier in the east for a bit and temperatures are rising, which would be more favorable after a pretty wet and cool spring.

MORE SHOWERS FOR AUSTRALIA DURING BUILDING EL NINO

A system scraped through eastern Australia this week and another system or two is forecast to bring some showers next week as well, favoring 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. That becomes especially true during the second half of winter into early spring, which may have a more damaging impact later this year yet.

COLD FRONT MOVING THROUGH CENTRAL AND NORTHERN CHINA

Most areas in China have good soil moisture and some areas have too much in the south for winter crops that are maturing and awaiting harvest. A stronger cold front has moved through northern areas with a burst of cooler temperatures and some showers, keeping stress low, but also slowing down crop growth. Additional showers will be possible at times over the primary corn and soybean areas through next week.

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

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