The National Weather Service has predicted above-average rainfall in the Midwest through mid-June.

This is the case, Mr. Jones said, even though federal meteorologists predict above-normal rainfall for Colorado and eastern Utah this summer.

Mr. Ogren said forecasters predicted above-average rainfall for the Midwest through August.

As for wheat, the National Weather Service predicted below-normal rainfall for the major wheat-growing states in its latest extended forecast.

After the markets closed, the National Weather Service issued a new 6-to-10-day forecast that predicted normal or below-normal rainfall in the Midwest late next week.

The local Meteorological agency predicted rainfall of up to 400mm some areas in the 24 hours.

That forecast was in sharp contrast to Monday's outlook, which predicted above-normal rainfall in the Midwest for the five days starting Sunday.

The National Weather Service predicted above-normal temperatures and below-normal rainfall for the Midwest next week.

A meteorologist has developed a novel method of predicting rainfall in tropical regions: monitoring anomalies in the temperature of the sea.

In a 6-to-10-day forecast issued after the close, the National Weather Service predicted normal temperatures and normal rainfall in the Midwest early next week.