Weather

MINNEAPOLIS (DTN) -- More periods of rain that will hit a lot of drought areas in the U.S., some heat and dryness in Europe, and rainfall in Australia are the weather factors driving the markets Wednesday.

LIMITED SHOWERS FOR MIDWEST THIS WEEK

A few showers will be possible across the southern Midwest as a front lifts northward into the region briefly before being pushed back down by another front across the north with a few more showers on Wednesday. Otherwise, some drier conditions are likely for the next week outside of Missouri, which will stay somewhat active. The drier conditions will be favorable for finishing up some fieldwork, but could lead to some growing dry spots if it continues through next week.

DAILY SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS FOR CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN PLAINS

Showers will increase in the Central and Southern Plains this week as systems move through the south and across the Rockies, bringing some potential for widespread rain to drier areas in the west and improving soil moisture for some areas in the east through early next week. Overall, this is a favorable pattern for getting precipitation into the region even though not all areas are likely to be hit by good precipitation. Rain may be too late for winter crops, but will help pastures, forages and summer crops.

SHOWERS MOVING THROUGH THE NORTHERN PLAINS

Temperatures have finally risen above normal in the Northern Plains and will continue to be so through next week. Showers will increase over the next couple of days, being more widespread this weekend into early next week as a system moves through. Showers will be scattered though, missing some areas and blessing others.

SHOWERS IN WESTERN CANADIAN PRAIRIES BECOMING HEAVIER THIS WEEKEND

Some showers went through the Canadian Prairies over the weekend, but many areas stayed dry while temperatures increased. The combination of heat and drier conditions will help to accelerate fieldwork that has been behind this season. Alberta may see some showers this week, but eastern areas are likely to be drier. More widespread rainfall is likely this weekend into early next week, giving a shorter window for making significant progress.

STALLED FRONT CONTINUING DAILY SHOWERS IN THE DELTA

A front has been waffling around the Delta since last week, producing scattered showers and thunderstorms on a daily basis. That front will remain active throughout the rest of this week and weekend before likely getting pushed southward into the Gulf next week. The frequent rainfall has brought risks of flooding, but is great for reducing drought and building deep soil moisture for the summer crop.

DRIER IN BRAZIL

Some showers fell over southern Brazil over the last few days, hitting a few wheat and southern safrinha corn areas, but the rain that fell was much more isolated than forecast. Dry weather should follow through next week, unfavorable for both corn and wheat. This is not unusual for corn, as most areas are fully entrenched in the dry season. But southern wheat areas require fronts moving up from Argentina to supply good moisture over the winter.

HOT AND DRY IN WESTERN EUROPE

Hot and dry conditions continue in western Europe for the next several days. That could have some impact on wheat, but it is getting a bit too late to have a negative impact, especially since soil moisture is overall favorable in these western areas. However, the heat could be stressful for corn and other summer crops which will rapidly advance as conditions remain drier. Chances for rain increase this weekend and especially next week, which would be very favorable if they verify.

COOL AND SHOWERY FOR BLACK SEA REGION

A system is moving into the Black Sea region this week, bringing scattered showers and cooler temperatures through early next week. Frosts are a risk for some far northern areas later this week, but are unlikely to have much of an impact to production even though wheat is vulnerable there. The cooler and rainy conditions would be somewhat unfavorable for corn and other summer crops, which could use some heat and sunshine.

MORE SHOWERS IN AUSTRALIA

Scattered showers moved into eastern Australia this weekend, which continue for the next couple of days as a system slowly moves eastward into the Pacific. The upcoming pattern favors a few more systems scraping by the southern end of the country, bringing some needed showers for 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.

LIMITED SHOWERS IN CENTRAL AND NORTHERN CHINA

Scattered showers went through central China over the weekend and the Northeast over the last couple of days. Above-normal temperatures are favored by the end of the week and the combination with a few drier spots could produce some early stress for corn and soybeans. Wheat should be somewhat immune as the crop heads toward maturity.

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

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