Colder Air Spreading Through Next Week

MINNEAPOLIS (DTN) — Some snow and a taste of winter for the U.S. and overall fair weather for now in South America are the weather factors driving the markets Wednesday.

SCATTERED SHOWERS LINGERING IN THE MIDWEST

Scattered showers went through the Midwest with a powerful storm earlier this week. A secondary low will form over Michigan on Wednesday, keeping showers around through the end of the week, including some bursts of snow. The pattern stays active going into December, so drought areas will get more chances for rain next week and colder air should move in at that time as well, helping to cool soil temperatures for fall fertilizer application in more areas.

SOMEWHAT QUIETER FOR THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN PLAINS

A system will likely miss to the north this weekend, but a couple more are possible next week, keeping the Central and Southern Plains somewhat active, but eventually bringing some cold air in as well. Recent precipitation has been able to reduce drought significantly over the last few weeks, favorable for winter wheat that is starting to go dormant and should get more of a push next week.

SNOW ENDING IN THE NORTHERN PLAINS

Snow and breezy winds linger in the Dakotas on Wednesday. Another system will move through over the weekend and could produce some beneficial precipitation in spots as well. Drought is intense in much of the region, though some areas are getting some help while others fall further behind.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER GETTING UPSTREAM MOISTURE

Water levels on the Mississippi River are still above the low mark due to recent heavy rain across the Plains and Midwest. More rain is needed in the Ohio Valley to maintain or make long-lasting improvements, but there is some potential there. A storm that lingers this week will be helpful and more systems are forecast for next week that could help as well.

RAIN WEAKER, BUT STILL GOOD WEATHER IN BRAZIL

Wet season showers continue in central Brazil, though they are forecast to weaken and become more isolated over the weekend. That should be brief as the showers fill back in later next week, and mostly favorable conditions continue for soybean establishment and growth. Southern areas have seen scattered showers the last couple of days that continue through Thursday. More rain is forecast to move in during the middle of next week that should keep conditions mostly favorable as well.

MORE SHOWERS COMING FOR ARGENTINA THIS WEEKEND, NEXT WEEK

Though some isolated showers may move through Argentina over the next couple of days, most areas will remain dry. Another system moves through this weekend into early next week with widespread rainfall being forecast again. Some patches are starting to dry out, and if the system misses these same areas, there could be some poor growing conditions. But overall, the weather is still mostly favorable in the country. The threat of heat and dryness due to the building La Nina may be a threat later in the season as well.

WIDESPREAD, HEAVIER SHOWERS FOR EUROPE

Widespread showers continue across Europe throughout the week. That will help southeastern areas that have been much drier while keeping soil moisture very high across the rest of the continent. Though the pattern quiets down somewhat next week, additional showers and systems are still expected. Wheat is going dormant from north to south in mostly good condition, though some wet spots are not all that favorable.

INCREASED RAINFALL IN AUSTRALIA

Scattered showers have increased across much of Australia over the last few days, unfavorable for fieldwork and winter harvest, but good for cotton and sorghum planting and establishment. A system in the west will bring showers to the east this weekend and next week and more showers are expected to develop for the west next week. Overall, this should improve soil moisture in a lot of areas.

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