Weather

MINNEAPOLIS (DTN) -- Scattered showers will likely push through Argentina this weekend before advancing into southern Brazil early next week, while a major storm system moves through the Central U.S. this weekend. These are the weather factors driving the markets on Friday.

HEAVY SNOW AND ARCTIC AIR FOR THE MIDWEST OVER THE COMING DAYS

A system brought areas of heavy snow to parts of the region on Wednesday, along with a burst of much cooler air that will turn on the lake-effect snow through Friday. Another big system will move into the region late Friday and continue east through the weekend. More widespread heavy snow is forecast with this system, especially from Iowa through Michigan. That will be followed by a burst of arctic air that will set the stage for an overall cold December. A couple of additional systems may move through next week that could have wintry impacts as well, but models are struggling with their development. For those with fieldwork to do, the window is closing rapidly.

COLD AIR PERSISTS IN THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN PLAINS

A significant winter storm system will move into the region on Friday and Saturday. Heavy rain, severe weather, snow, and strong winds are all possible. Northern Nebraska has the best chance at accumulating snow on Saturday. That will be followed by a massive burst of arctic air that will send most winter wheat areas dormant as we usher in winter. Another system will move through early next week that may have impacts as well, but the forecast is for milder conditions by the end of next week.

HEAVY SNOW, COLD TEMPERATURES PUT AN END TO FIELDWORK IN THE NORTHERN PLAINS

Cold air has been persistent throughout the area after an early week system pushed through. Even colder air will move in behind another system that will move through Friday and Saturday. Again, heavy snow and strong winds could create blizzard conditions and temperatures will fall like a rock behind it, ushering in winter and ending fieldwork opportunities. Additional waves of snowfall will push across the area next week, but they may be lighter than this weekend's snow.

ACTIVE PATTERN IN THE SOUTHERN DELTA INTO EARLY NEXT WEEK

Water levels have risen on the Mississippi River but are still low. However, heavy rain earlier this week and more coming up will be helpful. A major winter storm is forecast to move through the country this weekend with another couple of days later. These systems may produce enough to boost water levels for at least a brief moment to reduce restrictions, though that is uncertain. A more active weather pattern is forecast for the winter, which should produce more beneficial precipitation to aid water levels with time.

COLD FRONT TO SWEEP THROUGH SOUTHERN BRAZIL EARLY NEXT WEEK

Scattered showers continue in central and northern Brazil into next week. A front will move through the south Sunday and Monday, but showers are forecast to be brief. Overall, below-normal rainfall is in the forecast through early December, which may start to turn conditions around as we move into the heart of the growing season. Good soil moisture is still in place across the south so that should be a slow process.

RAINFALL ARRIVES IN ARGENTINA THIS WEEKEND, DRIER NEXT WEEK

Soil moisture remains high across the country, but the country is in a drier pattern. Despite that, a front will move through with scattered showers this weekend and some areas may see heavy rain. Otherwise, dry weather continues into December. Without heat causing stress, the loss of soil moisture will be slow to occur, but appears to produce momentum for worsening weather conditions with time.

SHOWERS FAVORING SOUTHEAST AUSTRALIA THROUGH EARLY NEXT WEEK

Patchy rainfall has been the norm for the last several weeks, leading to mixed conditions. Systems will largely favor the southeast through early next week with Western Australia remaining mostly dry. Wheat and canola harvest continues to increase, but soil moisture is lacking in some areas for the cotton and sorghum crops, with planting ongoing between showers.

FAVORABLE CONDITIONS IN NORTHERN AND CENTRAL CHINA

Overall drier conditions continue to favor the remaining corn and soybean harvest in the northeast. Drier weather recently has allowed soggy soils to drain in central China, being more favorable for winter wheat and canola that are heading into dormancy. Dry conditions across the south have been stressful for sugarcane, rice, and specialty crops. However, some tropical moisture from Tropical Storm Koto could nudge into the south over the weekend and early next week.

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

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