Warm and Active Pattern to End 2024
An active and overall warm pattern to end the year in the U.S., and the lack of heavy rain in Argentina are the weather factors driving the markets Friday.
MINNEAPOLIS (DTN) — An active and overall warm pattern to end the year in the U.S., and the lack of heavy rain in Argentina are the weather factors driving the markets Friday.
CLIPPER LEAVING MIDWEST, WARMER NEXT WEEK
A clipper moving through the Midwest is bringing through some heavier snow to the north, but is weakening. Even still, cold air is rushing in briefly and lake-effect snow will continue for the weekend before temperatures rise early next week and will be very warm for the Christmas holiday. The pattern stays active next week with several systems moving through. It may stay just cold enough for snow on the northern end of the region, especially with an early-week system.
PRECIPITATION POTENTIAL INCREASING FOR SOUTHWESTERN PLAINS NEXT WEEK
Wheat areas in the southwestern Plains have been drier lately. The pattern may be a little more favorable for precipitation next week as several systems move through with potential for precipitation, mostly in the form of rain with very warm temperatures in the region.
GETTING WARM IN THE NORTHERN PLAINS FOR NEXT WEEK
A clipper brought a band of heavier snow over the last couple of days and strong winds pulled some cold air into the region. However, the cold will not last long as warmer air spreads back in again this weekend and continues to be very warm to end the year. The pattern stays active with multiple systems moving through this weekend and next week, but with little precipitation forecast for the region.
WATER LEVELS HIGHER ON THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Recent showers in the Mississippi and Ohio Valleys have given a bump to water levels on the rivers and the pattern is favoring more rain in the basin through next week with several systems and fronts. That should help to give a longer bump to the water levels, removing restrictions for transport across the Lower Mississippi for a while.
OVERALL GOOD WEATHER CONTINUES IN BRAZIL
Overall good weather conditions continue with scattered wet season showers in central Brazil and fronts continuing to come up from Argentina with scattered showers for southern states. This general pattern is forecast to continue through next week, favoring flowering to filling soybeans and developing corn. Southern areas are getting below-normal amounts, though it is remaining timely.
LIMITED SHOWERS IN ARGENTINA
A front brought isolated showers to Argentina this week but hit the important state of Cordoba with good precipitation. Another couple of fronts will move through this weekend and next week. Precipitation will be spotty, and areas are going to be missed, especially in the southeast, and that could lead to other dry areas developing.
MORE RAIN IN EUROPE
Several waves of systems, fronts and showers are forecast to move through Europe through early next week, keeping up overly wet soils in the northwest, but maintaining or improving soil moisture for most other areas. Spain is forecast to be on the lighter end, though, and could use more rain.
DRIER IN AUSTRALIA
The pattern continues to be drier to end the year with only limited showers as a couple of systems move through Australia. That helps with the remaining wheat and canola harvest, but will dry out soils for cotton and sorghum after recent rains had improved conditions.
John Baranick can be reached at john.baranick@dtn.com