System, Then Cold East of the Rockies
Cold air moving into the U.S. behind a storm system east of the Rockies and continued good rain in South America are the weather factors driving the markets Wednesday.
MINNEAPOLIS (DTN) — Cold air moving into the U.S. behind a storm system east of the Rockies and continued good rain in South America are the weather factors driving the markets Wednesday.
SYSTEM, COLD MOVING THROUGH MIDWEST
A system will move through southern areas of the Midwest Wednesday into early Thursday with a mix of rain and snow. Cold, arctic air will flow in behind it, producing heavier lake-effect snow east of the Great Lakes. Some additional disturbances could bring some light snow through on occasion this weekend and next week. Cold air will have a tendency to continue flowing in next week as well, keeping the lake-effect going.
COLD PUSHING WHEAT DORMANT IN THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN PLAINS
A system is quickly moving through the Central and Southern Plains on Wednesday with some areas of showers. A burst of colder air will move through behind it that will stick around through the weekend 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.
VERY COLD IN THE NORTHERN PLAINS
Several disturbances will bring down colder air and occasional snow showers going into next week for the Northern Plains. Temperatures will be very cold, and some records may be broken. Temperatures may moderate by the middle of next week.
MISSISSIPPI RIVER GETTING NEEDED PRECIPITATION, STILL HOVERING 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
Showers continue in central Brazil, but have been very isolated the last few days. A front moving up from Argentina will get into southern areas Wednesday and enhance showers over central Brazil by Friday. Several more fronts coming from Argentina should keep the country active through next week with mostly good growing conditions. Heavy rain potential across the south may cause some flooding concerns, however.
HEAVY RAIN CONTINUES FOR NORTHERN ARGENTINA
A front has produced some heavier rainfall across northern areas of Argentina the last few days. That continues 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 moving into the middle of Europe 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 EASTERN AUSTRALIA
A system is moving through eastern Australia with areas of heavy rain into the weekend. The rain is unfavorable for fieldwork and winter wheat and canola harvest, 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 at least for western areas.
John Baranick can be reached at john.baranick@dtn.com
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