Cold Spreading After Midweek Storm

MINNEAPOLIS (DTN) — Cold air moving into the U.S. east of the Rockies and a return of some heavier rain in South America are the weather factors driving the markets Tuesday.

SYSTEM, COLD MOVING THROUGH MIDWEST

A system that moved through the Midwest on Monday brought scattered showers as well as lower temperatures. Another system will move through southern areas Wednesday into early Thursday with a mix of rain and snow. Cold, arctic air flowing in behind it will produce some occasional light snow across the region, and heavier snow east of the Great Lakes. Cold air will have a tendency to continue flowing in next week as well, keeping the lake-effect going.

SYSTEM WEAK AS IT MOVES THROUGH THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN PLAINS

A system will develop in southern Colorado on Tuesday night and move through on Wednesday with some areas of lighter showers. Another burst of colder air will move through behind it. Several more bursts of colder air may move in over the weekend into next week and may produce occasional light showers. The colder air will help to push more wheat into dormancy, mostly in good condition. Temperatures may moderate by the middle of next week, but that is uncertain.

VERY COLD IN THE NORTHERN PLAINS

Several disturbances will bring down colder air from the Canadian Prairies and occasional snow showers into the Northern Plains throughout this week and into next week as well. Temperatures will be very cold, and some records may be broken. Temperatures may moderate by the middle of next week, though that is uncertain.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER LEVELS CONTINUE TO SLIP LOWER

Water levels on the Mississippi River are still above the low mark due to recent heavy rain across the Plains and Midwest, but are slowly falling. More rain is needed in the Ohio Valley to maintain or make long-lasting improvements. A storm that moves through on Wednesday is forecast to bring through some moderate precipitation in just the right areas and should help with the river levels for a bit. But the pattern will be much drier afterward with cold air descending through the country.

HEAVIER RAIN RETURNING TO BRAZIL AFTER SHORT BREAK

Scattered showers became isolated over central Brazil over the weekend, focusing farther to the north. A front moving into Argentina will get into southern areas midweek and enhance showers over central Brazil by the end of the week. Several more fronts coming from Argentina should keep the country active through next week with mostly good growing conditions.

HEAVY RAIN FOR NORTHERN ARGENTINA THIS WEEK

A front moved into Argentina on Sunday and through Monday has produced some heavier rainfall across central and northern areas of the country. That should continue through Wednesday before the front makes its way into Brazil. However, additional showers will move through for the rest of the week and another system and front move through Sunday and Monday with more scattered showers. Precipitation is forecast to be heavier over northern areas and some areas in the central and south will need more rainfall. The threat of heat and dryness due to the building La Nina may be a threat later in the season as well.

SCATTERED SHOWERS MOVING THROUGH EUROPE

A system is moving through Europe on Tuesday with another to follow mid-late week that could stick around the southeast through the weekend. Additional fronts are forecast to move through next week with more precipitation as well. Precipitation is helping southeastern areas that have been much drier while keeping soil moisture very high across the rest of the continent. Wheat is going dormant from north to south in mostly good condition, though some wet spots are not all that favorable.

GOOD RECENT RAINFALL IN AUSTRALIA

Another system is moving through eastern Australia over the next few days with areas of heavy rain. The rain is unfavorable for fieldwork and harvest of winter wheat and canola, but good for cotton and sorghum planting and establishment. Soil moisture is improving in many areas, though the pattern looks a little drier next week.

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

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