Weather

MINNEAPOLIS (DTN) -- One more day of cooler temperatures in the North-Central U.S. before warmer conditions finally arrive this weekend. A front is moving through Argentina Thursday and will eventually arrive across southern Brazil this weekend, providing pockets of heavy rain and cooler temperatures. These are the weather factors driving the markets Thursday.

WARMER TEMPERATURES ARRIVING THIS WEEKEND ACROSS THE MIDWEST

Lake-effect snow showers linger through the area on Thursday with another burst of colder air for the end of the week. Temperatures will rise this weekend and though a system will go from Sunday through Tuesday with scattered showers, the drop in temperatures will not be as severe as we have seen lately, and temperatures will rise again later next week. The rain and potential snow from the system could be heavy over some of the drought areas.

SOUTHERN PLAINS SEE MORE CHANCES FOR RAIN, DRIER CONDITIONS IN THE CENTRAL PLAINS

Besides some periodic showers moving through Texas, the Central Plains will remain on the drier side through the end of the week. Temperatures will waffle around as clippers go by to the north, and a larger system may go through Sunday and Monday that may have widespread precipitation for southern and eastern Texas, and another burst of colder air.

NORTHERN PLAINS WARM UP FOR THE WEEKEND BUT PRECIPITATION LOOKS MINIMAL

One more day of cold temperatures are expected behind a strong cold front. Temperatures will increase rapidly on Friday though and despite a system moving through on Sunday with a burst of colder air, it should be closer to normal, and temperatures will rise again a couple of days later. The showers that move through will not be heavy enough to significantly improve drought conditions in the region.

POCKETS OF HEAVY RAIN IN THE LOWER MISSISSIPPI RIVER NEXT WEEK

Water levels on the Mississippi River are above the low mark, but are still falling. A system provided scattered rain showers to the southern Delta on Wednesday, but showers were more limited to the north. There could be a significant system that moves in on Sunday through Tuesday with better chances for heavier precipitation in parts of the region, which could be a temporary lift to water levels.

COOLER TEMPERATURES AND HEAVY RAIN LIKELY IN SOUTHERN BRAZIL THIS WEEKEND

Scattered showers continue in central Brazil though they will again go more isolated this weekend. Another front will move through southern areas with heavier rainfall over the weekend that should boost showers in central Brazil again next week. Overall, conditions are still largely favorable for developing corn and soybeans across most of the country.

SPOTTY SHOWERS IN CENTRAL ARGENTINA COULD DISAPPOINT

A front moves in on Thursday through Saturday with scattered showers. Most areas have good growing conditions, but there are some areas in the south that are too dry. If the late-week front disappoints, it could be more concerning as the pattern will tend to be drier afterward with more limited rainfall from passing systems.

SHOWERS CONTINUE TO MOVE THROUGH THE BLACK SEA

Precipitation picked up in the east recently, helping to build some soil moisture as wheat continues to go dormant in mostly poor condition there. The region will hope for good precipitation over the winter to get a good start when the crop comes out of dormancy in the spring. Precipitation may pick up this weekend into next week and would be helpful if it does. Some of the heaviest precipitation may favor central Ukraine with lighter showers favoring western Russia.

SHOWERS CONTINUE IN EASTERN AUSTRALIA WITH DRY CONDITIONS WEST

Scattered showers in the east have been heavy over the last week. Another system will move in on Friday through the weekend with more showers for the southeast as well. The rain is unfavorable for winter wheat and canola harvest, but good for cotton and sorghum development. Soil moisture is improving in many areas, though western areas are much drier, and showers will be isolated to the far southwest through early next week.

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

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