USDA's weekly export sales report is due out at 7:30 a.m. CDT Thursday, the same time as the Labor Department's reports on consumer prices for October and weekly jobless claims, as well as the U.S. Drought Monitor. The Energy Department's weekly report on natural gas storage is set for 9:30 a.m., followed by the Treasury Department's report on the federal budget in October at 1 p.m.
Weather
A strong storm system moving through the middle of the country on Thursday is bringing heavy snow and potential blizzard conditions to the Northern Plains. The cold front will sweep eastward and very cold air is filling in behind the system. While precipitation is heavy across the north, it is far less intense everywhere else and drought conditions continue to grow for southwestern Plains wheat. Tropical Storm Nicole is making landfall in central Florida early this morning and spreading heavy rain into the Southeast throughout the day.