Weather
The mortgage interest rate markets are subject to an enormous number of factors. Most analysts agree that weather can have an effect on market activity. Although the effects are seldom long lasting, they can be quite significant.
The United States is the world’s largest exporter of corn. Relatively rainy weather across the Midwest portions of the United States can delay the planting of corn. This often causes corn prices to escalate. Sometimes corn farmers plant more acres of corn than analysts expect. Larger corn crops can cause prices to fall. Lower corn prices can carry over to lower food prices for some items. The weather also has the potential to directly alter fuel prices. As we enter the hurricane season, many oil and gas fields in the Gulf along with refineries along coasts are susceptible to damage. If this were to occur, oil prices would almost surely rise sharply. Rising oil prices would do little to help keep inflationary fears in check. The result would most likely be higher rates.
(Information provided by Trevor Reese of Wells Fargo)