Weather

OMAHA (DTN) -- A mainly dry period in the Midwest allowing fieldwork in areas without snow cover in the U.S., a much colder outlook for next week in the Plains and Midwest, and variable rainfall in South America are the key weather items for the commodity trade's attention Thursday.

DRIER FOR MIDWEST

The DTN Ag Weather forecast for the Midwest calls for possible improvement during the next seven days or so as it looks drier, especially in western and northern areas. This will allow some late-harvest progress and fieldwork in areas without snow cover. Wet conditions remain in areas that received recent rains, some heavy, and this will delay remaining harvest. Some corn may be left in the fields until spring. Any soybeans remaining in the fields may be lost.

ARCTIC COLD BY WEEKEND FOR NORTHERN PLAINS

This is a mainly dry, warmer period for the Northern Plains, which will help melt snow cover. However, low sun angle and length of day will considerably slow this process this time of the year. Little additional harvesting of corn or soybeans is expected this week. A new Arctic cold outbreak is in store starting this weekend and lasting much of next week. This will lead to stressful conditions for transportation and livestock.

DRY TREND FOR SOUTHERN PLAINS

There was some beneficial rain for winter wheat during the past week in the Southern Plains, although in southwest Kansas and southeast Colorado it remains too dry. No significant rain is expected during the next 10 days. No significant cold weather expected this week. However, we will need to watch the movement of the Arctic outbreak expected to hit the Northern Plains area late this weekend into next week; it is expected to move southward.

CONTINUED RAIN FOR BRAZIL

Brazil crop areas have favorable conditions for developing soybeans throughout the major growing areas with beneficial rains last week and more rain this week. Above normal temperatures and below normal rainfall continue to affect soybean planting and development in the minor northeast areas (Bahia).

DRYING TREND IN ARGENTINA

Argentina has mostly favorable conditions for planting and early development of corn and soybeans in major growing areas. However, a drying trend during the next seven days will need to be watched because some locations have not received much rainfall recently.

Elaine Shein can be reached at elaine.shein@dtn.com

(CZ)

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