Turning wetter in central Brazil

The second full week of February 2024 brought drier than normal trends to central Brazil. For Mato Grosso do Sul and Mato Grosso this was the 2nd and 4th-warmest and the 3rd and 5th-driest second week of February in 30-plus years, respectively, according to data from WeatherTrends360. Drier than normal conditions supported soybean harvest and subsequent second corn crop planting activities. However, the weather did little to replenish subsurface soil moisture which will be critical for the second corn crop.

Meanwhile, Argentina saw a break from the recent spell of hot and dry conditions, and this was the 5th-wettest second week of February in 30-plus years. Wetter weather also spilled over into southern Brazil.

Wetter weather is expected across a large portion of Central Brazil in the third full week of February, week-ending Feb. 24th. According to forecasts from WeatherTrends360, this will be the 10th-wettest third week of February in 30-plus years for Mato Grosso. Mato Grosso do Sul will see a couple of wetter days, especially earlier in the week, but may turn drier around the middle of the week.

Wetter weather could slow down planting activities, but moisture is needed to replenish soils. Part of the second corn crop’s success hinges on soil moisture as part of the growing season for the crop falls in the dry season. Sufficient soil moisture is needed to carry the crop through to harvest.