Drew Lerner, Author at World Weather

Brazil Monsoon Pattern Slow To Evolve; Amazon Basin Dry

Kansas City, October 16 (World Weather Inc.) – Satellite imagery from South America shows a general lack of cloudiness and convection across the Amazon River Basin – an extremely important moisture source for Brazil’s center west and center south agricultural region during the October through April period. Mid-latitude cool fronts have been responsible for most of the rain seen in these crop areas in recent weeks and another frontal system is due into the region this weekend. Concern is rising, though, that rainfall associated with the frontal system may be a little disappointing due to the lack of monsoon or pre-monsoon moisture over the Amazon Basin. There are some signs of improving moisture for the Amazon Basin and center west and center south Brazil, but the best rainfall may hold off until early November.

South Africa Rain Will Be Welcome; Additional Rain Needed

Kansas City, October 16 (World Weather Inc.) – Early-season planting conditions remain less than favorable to poor for much of South Africa. Rainfall in recent weeks has been lacking and most production areas still have a shortage of moisture. Eastern and central South Africa will see a good mix of rain and sunshine during the coming week that will start to improve the moisture profile. However, the amounts will be too light to completely fix the moisture deficits and follow-up precipitation will be of great importance. Producers may still plant a significant amount of crop due to the rain. Meanwhile, Western South Africa will receive little to no rain and that should help to advance wheat, barley and canola filling, maturation and harvesting.

Australia Winter Grain, Oilseed Maturation Conditions Good

Kansas City, October 16 (World Weather Inc.) – The earliest-planted and developing winter wheat, barley, and canola are maturing and getting ready for harvest in Australia. The main production areas outside portions of Queensland received enough rain over the growing season to support favorable development conditions. Yields are expected to be above normal in most locations. The late-planted and slower-developing crops in southern Australia are still in various developmental stages and would welcome periodic rain in coming weeks to maintain aggressive growth. Australia will only have a few opportunities for spotty rain during the coming week. Maturation conditions will remain favorable, though a few unirrigated areas of New South Wales and Queensland will remain too dry for ideal summer crop development. A few interior portions of southern Western Australia might also have need for some timely rain soon.