Wednesday's reports start with U.S. retail sales in November at 7:30 a.m. CST, followed by the Energy Department's weekly inventory report at 9:30 a.m. The National Oilseeds Processors Association will give its monthly soybean crush report later Wednesday morning. Many will be watching as the Federal Reserve makes its post-meeting announcement at 1 p.m., followed by USDA's Livestock, Dairy and Poultry outlook at 2 p.m.
Weather
A potent storm system will kick up incredibly strong wind gusts across the Plains and Upper Midwest Wednesday, especially this afternoon and evening. Wind gusts may exceed 70 mph for large areas of the Central Plains into Iowa and northwest Missouri with gusts approaching or exceeding 60 mph elsewhere in the region. There should also be enough ingredients to produce severe weather from eastern Nebraska into the Upper Midwest late this afternoon and evening. Strong winds and a couple of tornadoes are likely. Some snow will develop on the backside of the system, but only a couple of inches is expected as the system quickly moves out of the region Wednesday night. Temperatures crashing behind the system will produce flash-freezes that will create hazards for standing water from rain and melted snow.