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, Europe, and Australia are the weather factors driving the markets Friday.

RAINFALL INCREASING FOR THE MIDWEST

A system is dragging a cold front through the Midwest over the next couple of days, producing areas of showers and thunderstorms. The front will stall in the western end of the region while it will be more of a passing feature in the east. More disturbances moving through next week should add to the rain potential and some areas in the west may end up with too much, 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 recent dryness.

CONTINUED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS FOR CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN PLAINS

Areas of showers and thunderstorms will continue across the Central and Southern Plains through next week as multiple systems, fronts and disturbances combine to produce daily shower and thunderstorm chances. The recent and forecast precipitation 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

Recent heavy rain has helped to increase soil moisture and reduce drought in the Northern Plains. A busy pattern is going to continue through next week with daily chances for showers and thunderstorms as multiple fronts, systems, and disturbances move through. Temperatures should be overall warm into next week, but fall later next week, keeping stress low.

SHOWERS CONTINUING ACROSS THE CANADIAN PRAIRIES, SOME HEAVY RAIN AND SEVERE WEATHER

Recent heavy rain in Alberta has caused a pause in planting progress while areas to the east were able to get some work done between showers. Despite that, planting progress is still behind. 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. Otherwise, the frequent rainfall is great for maintaining or improving soil moisture.

DROUGHT DECREASING IN THE DELTA, MORE SHOWERS COMING

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.

SHOWERS RETURNING TO BRAZIL

It has been very dry lately in much of Brazil, unfavorable for both corn and wheat. Though some showers may move through on Monday, drier conditions continue to be unfavorable for filling corn and wheat establishment. If the front can stick around, there may be more widespread rainfall mid-late next week.

MORE SHOWERS MOVING ACROSS EUROPE

Multiple systems have moved through Europe this week and some more showers are forecast into 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 by the end 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 for the Black Sea region, mostly for western areas that are somewhat drier. It may be a little drier in the east for a bit and temperatures are rising, which would be more favorable after a wet and cool spring.

MORE SHOWERS FOR AUSTRALIA DURING BUILDING EL NINO

It has been somewhat active in Australia the last few weeks, providing scattered showers that have improved soil moisture in a lot of areas. A 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.

OVERALL GOOD WEATHER FOR CORN AND SOYBEANS IN 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. Additional showers will be possible at times over the primary corn and soybean areas through next week with generally favorable weather.

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

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