Commodities Market Impact Weather: Precipitation for Midwest, Possible Severe Storms Thursday

  OMAHA--Precipitation this week in the Midwest, a chance for severe weather Thursday for some

states, and favorable crop conditions for Brazil are the primary weather items for the commodity

trade's attention Tuesday.

PRECIPITATION FOR MIDWEST

  The DTN ag weather forecast calls for precipitation during the next few days that may mean

transportation delays, mostly from eastern Iowa and Missouri eastward. Thursday could end up being a

stormy day for several states. There are already blizzard and winter weather watches for Iowa,

Minnesota and Wisconsin, but farther south there is the potential for severe weather. The area to

watch includes eastern and southern Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and the Delta region: this could include

hail, high winds and even isolated tornadoes are possible. No significant cold weather through the

end of this week for the Midwest. However, next week's weather will bear watching as a return to

high-latitude blocking pattern is expected. This means some risk of cold air moving towards the

Midwest.

MUCH WARMER IN SOUTHERN PLAINS

  In the Southern Plains, a return to colder weather is expected in the north and east U.S. region

during the six-to-10-day period. This appears to be mostly outside of the Plains' wheat belt but it

will bear watching.

MORE RAIN NEEDED IN SOUTHERN BRAZIL

  Recent showers and thundershowers favored filling crops in the south, but more is still needed,

especially in RGDS. Weekend rains in Mato Grosso will affect the harvest.

MODERATE TO HEAVY SHOWERS FOR BRAZIL COFFEE AREAS

  Moderate to heavy showers and thundershowers have occurred through much of this area during the

long weekend. This will help to ease stress to coffee trees and developing cane following hot and

mostly dry weather for the first half of February. More rain will be needed to replenish soil

moisture and irrigation supplies. Showers will be in the area during this week.

SCATTERED SHOWERS FOR ARGENTINA

  Soybeans and corn will benefit from adequate to surplus soil moisture, except in areas where

recent heavy storms has caused serious flooding. Scattered showers and thundershowers today and

Wednesday will maintain soil moisture and mostly favor crops.

MOSTLY FAVORABLE PATTERN IN CHINA

  Moderate to locally heavy snow and rain has occurred through central and southern winter wheat

areas of eastern China and through most winter rapeseed areas during the past week. This will help

replenish soil moisture and favor crops when they break dormancy in the spring. Snow to the north

was not as heavy but still fairly significant for this time of the year. Snow and ice and to a

lesser extent rain will delay transportation somewhat.

HOTTER TREND FOR SOUTH AFRICA

  A recent turn to higher temperatures and less rain may continue during this week. This will

deplete some soil moisture and increase stress to developing maize.