Jul 21, 2022
Central Brazil Experiencing High Temperatures and Low Humidity
Author: Michael Cordonnier/Soybean & Corn Advisor, Inc.
Extremely high temperatures are being reported in Europe, North America and in South America as well. Temperatures in Brazil are at summertime levels even though it is technically the "winter season" in Brazil.
Data from the Brazilian National Weather Service (Inmet) indicate that parts of central Brazil have not received a significant rain in four months and there is no rain in the forecast. An intense mass of dry air has set up over central Brazil and it is expected to remain in place for the near future. This is normally the dry season in central Brazil, but this year is dryer than normal due to a strong blocking pattern in the atmosphere.
Night temperatures are more seasonal, but during the heat of the day, temperatures are in the mid to upper 80's or higher with very low relative humidity. During the heat of the day, the relative humidity can be below 20% in states such as Mato Grosso and Goias. When the humidity drops that low, weather alerts are issued for anyone with respiratory problems. To make matters worse, this is also the time of the year when there can be a lot of smoke and dust in the air.
Farmers in central Brazil are nearing the end of their safrinha corn harvest and a lot of the corn is being stored in open-air piles. Farmers in Brazil have limited on-farm storage, so most of the corn is being shipped to the local grain elevator or cooperative. Brazilian farmers have been slow sellers of their 2021/22 soybeans with a lot of the grain silos still full of soybeans, so the only place to temporarily store the corn is in open-air piles.
If done correctly, this open-air storage is no problem if the corn is picked up before the summer rains return sometime in September. If not done correctly, the corn can become overly dry or be exposed to insect damage.