Big Storm, Cold Blast Coming This Weekend

MINNEAPOLIS (DTN) — Significant cold air moving into the U.S. for the start of 2025 and the lack of heavy rain in Argentina and southern Brazil are the weather factors driving the markets Tuesday.

COUPLE OF SYSTEMS, COLDER AIR MOVING THROUGH THE MIDWEST

A system is bringing a mix of rain and snow to the Midwest on Tuesday, with some lake-effect snow lingering afterward. Another system is forecast to move through Sunday and Monday with a mix of precipitation types, followed by a burst of very cold air that should linger for a while. Areas without adequate snow cover could see some winterkill on wheat.

TWO SYSTEMS, THEN COLD FOR CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN PLAINS

Soil moisture is falling in the southwestern Plains wheat areas, but drought has not set in yet. A system went through northern areas on Monday with moderate precipitation and another system is forecast to bring widespread moderate precipitation this weekend that should be helpful. However, it will come as a mix of precipitation types, which may be hazardous, and be followed by a burst of cold air for next week. The cold could be hazardous for dormant winter wheat that is not covered by snow.

COLD FOR THE NORTHERN PLAINS

A system moved across the Northern Plains with snow on Monday and a round of colder air. Another system will move through southern areas this weekend with more snow, followed by a burst of even colder air that is likely to last next week, being very cold for livestock. Drought continues to be a major concern this winter as well.

WATER LEVELS STAYING HIGHER ON THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER

Water levels remain above the low-water mark for the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers, allowing for easier transportation. Active weather with a system moving through this week and another moving through early next week should keep water levels elevated.

GOOD WEATHER IN CENTRAL BRAZIL

Widespread wet season showers continue in central Brazil, favorable for filling soybeans. Showers across the south are more sparse than farther north, but are coming at a regular pace to thwart too many concerns for either full-season corn or filling soybeans. Below-normal rainfall may cause some minor issues in spots, however.

LIMITED SHOWERS IN ARGENTINA CAUSING CONCERN

It was largely dry in Argentina through the weekend and soil moisture is falling. Though systems are coming through, they are doing so with spotty rainfall amounts, leading to some areas getting missed for several weeks on end and creating some dry patches for pollinating corn. With how drawn out the growing season is, though, patchy areas of dryness are not a large concern just yet. However, the forecast calls for below-normal rainfall through at least the middle of January, which may lead to bigger concerns down the line.

MORE RAIN MOVING THROUGH EUROPE

A front will gradually be pushed southward through Europe by a few systems this week, bringing widespread showers to most areas. Some areas of Spain and Hungary need more rainfall for vegetative winter wheat and won’t get it this week, and some areas are too wet in the north. Otherwise, overall conditions are favorable for most areas. The run of very active weather in the northwest continues next week with many days of rain.

DRIER IN AUSTRALIA

Some areas in northeastern Australia saw showers over the weekend, but most areas stayed dry. That continues to be the case through this week with limited showers outside of the northeast that has better chances. Conditions continue to slowly worsen for developing cotton and sorghum.

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