Widespread Snow Showers Across Eastern Midwest

MINNEAPOLIS (DTN) — The Eastern Midwest will see scattered snow showers today as a clipper moves through the region. Meanwhile, heavier showers are expected in central Brazil this weekend with isolated showers across Argentina. These are the weather factors driving the markets for Friday.

DRIER CONDITIONS RETURN FOR MIDWEST THIS WEEKEND

A clipper provided a band of snow to parts of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan during the middle of this week and allowed for some cooler air to enter the region on Thursday. Another will follow quickly for Friday which may have some streaks of heavier precipitation for southern areas. Several more clippers will move through next week and temperatures will trend above normal which may keep precipitation in the form of rain instead of snow.

QUICK-HITTING SYSTEMS POSSIBLE NEXT WEEK FOR CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN PLAINS

A clipper system provided some moderate snow showers to northern areas on Wednesday and Thursday but dry conditions remained in place farther south. Clippers are likely to move through the area next week as well. Temperatures will cool down for a short time this weekend but will be back to above normal next week.

BRIEF COOL DOWN ON FRIDAY FOR THE NORTHERN PLAINS

A few bands of moderate to heavy snow fell across South Dakota during the middle of this week but drier conditions are expected this weekend. By next week, several small systems will continue to move through the region. They may not bring much widespread precipitation though. Cooler air will stick around through Friday, but warmer temperatures will return this weekend and next week.

RAIN AND SNOW FOR THE DELTA TODAY

Heavy rain went through the region earlier this week, which continues to ease drought conditions and flooding has been more significant recently. Another system will come through on Friday and Saturday with more potential for rain and snow. Throughout next week, more clipper systems may impact the region and warmer temperatures will also return after a quick shot of cooler air this weekend.

FIELDWORK DELAYS POSSIBLE IN CENTRAL BRAZIL BY EARLY NEXT WEEK

Wet season showers in central Brazil have been isolated this week. A stalled system just east of Brazil will continue to provide rain to southern and eastern areas through this weekend. The south has been too dry for several weeks and needs the rain. By this weekend and early next week, showers are forecast to be widespread and heavy for central areas, beneficial for everything but fieldwork as soybeans are still being harvested and safrinha corn is still being planted. Southern areas will not be wet for long as it unfavorably gets dry again next week.

A FEW ISOLATED SHOWERS IN ARGENTINA THIS WEEKEND

Heavy rain returned to the region last week and ended the hot and dry conditions that caused corn and soybeans to suffer from mid-January. Soil moisture has increased and crop conditions have stabilized. Another system is forecast to move into the country this weekend, but showers will remain isolated. Better chances for scattered showers may return by the middle to end of next week as a few stronger disturbances pass by to the south.

RAIN CHANCES REMAIN POSSIBLE FOR SOUTHERN EUROPE INTO NEXT WEEK

The main storm track favored precipitation across northern areas this week; however, Spain received some welcome rain on Thursday. By this weekend, Italy will also see better chances for showers as a front pushes farther south. While crops are vulnerable to winterkill with no significant snow cover, there are no risks of arctic freeze. Temperatures are favored to be above normal through this weekend and early next week. The storm track may again dip south later next week, providing additional chances for showers to Spain and Italy.

LIMITED PRECIPITATION FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Eastern areas will have daily chances for isolated to scattered showers into next week. Heat across the west and southeast could be detrimental for cotton and sorghum, but more so across the west as any chances for precipitation will be limited into next week.

Teresa Wells can be reached at teresa.deutchman@dtn.com.