Weather

MINNEAPOLIS (DTN) -- Rising temperatures in the U.S., a stretch of dryness in Argentina, and more heavy rain for central Brazil are the weather factors driving the markets Friday.

MIDWEST WARMING UP

Cold temperatures and lake-effect snow in the Midwest Friday will quickly be replaced by warm air this weekend. A front and then a developing system along it will move through early to mid-next week with scattered showers, but temperatures behind the system will continue to be mild.

TEMPERATURES RISING IN CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN PLAINS

Temperatures will continue to rise in the Central and Southern Plains going into the weekend. Drought areas in Oklahoma and Texas have seen some decent precipitation this week, but not enough to turn the drought around in a meaningful way. A front will move into the region early next week with some showers, but a system developing across the southeast around midweek should produce more widespread precipitation. Drought areas again look to be mostly missed but could pick up a bit of precipitation.

NORTHERN PLAINS AND CANADIAN PRAIRIES BECOMING MORE MILD

Though cold in eastern areas of the Northern Plains and Canadian Prairies Friday, warmer air is quickly moving into the western part of the region. Above-normal temperatures forecast for the following week will reduce stress on livestock. Temperatures will be on a cooling trend again next weekend.

WATER LEVELS FALLING FOR LOWER MISSISSIPPI

Recent precipitation has been able to keep water levels on the Lower Mississippi River from falling into dangerously low territory. While the lower portion of the valley has seen multiple rounds of precipitation this week, drier and colder conditions farther north will limit water movement and we should see a decline in levels moving forward. A system next week may provide some beneficial precipitation, but the trend of lower water levels is likely to continue anyway.

RAIN BREAKS FOR CENTRAL BRAZIL CLOSING

Central and northern Brazil have had some breaks in the precipitation this week to complete some soybean harvest and safrinha corn planting from Mato Grosso to Minas Gerais, but rains will become heavier again over the weekend. A cold front is moving through southern areas but will dry out over the weekend from Parana to Rio Grande do Sul. Dryness continues to be a concern, though breaks will allow for fieldwork in Parana.

ANOTHER DRY STRETCH FOR ARGENTINA

Argentina will go through a dry stretch for about the next 10 days where there will be little to no precipitation for the vast majority of the country. Temperatures will also be on the increase next week. The heat and dryness may undo the beneficial effects from recent rainfall, that have perked up later-planted corn and soybeans.

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

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