National Overview

U.S. agriculture straddles a seasonal turning point in early to mid-November. The past day featured the familiar north–south temperature split of late autumn, with chilly air entrenched across northern latitudes and milder, drier conditions farther south and west. Patchy light precipitation cropped up along frontal boundaries and wind-prone corridors on the Plains. Looking ahead, the next week favors a series of quick-moving disturbances across the northern tier, periodic Gulf moisture return into the mid-South, and a wetter pattern for the Pacific Northwest, while the Southwest and much of California trend drier with episodes of valley fog.

Note: This report provides a broad regional synthesis and outlook designed for farm planning. For exact locality-specific conditions and alerts, consult your nearest National Weather Service office or state mesonet.

Last 24 Hours: Regional Highlights and On-Farm Checks

Corn Belt (Upper Midwest, Great Lakes, Ohio Valley)

• Temperatures leaned seasonally cool north and more moderate south; pockets of frost remained possible in northern/inner-valley locations.
• Light, fast-moving showers or sprinkles favored lake-adjacent belts and along any passing fronts; most fields stayed workable outside brief damp periods.
• Winds were variable; occasional breezy windows aided surface drying where soils were only lightly wetted.

Northern Plains (MT, ND, SD, northern MN)

• Chill persisted, with localized freeze conditions where skies cleared overnight.
• Spotty flurries or light precipitation possible near frontal passages; otherwise dry and cold-biased.
• Rangeland experienced brisk periods; wind exposure remained a factor for livestock comfort.

Central and Southern Plains (NE, KS, OK, TX Panhandle)

• Wide diurnal ranges: cool mornings, seasonable afternoons; breeziness common on open rangeland.
• Any precipitation tended to be patchy and light; soils largely supported fieldwork where harvest continues.
• Winter wheat stands contended with dry air episodes; emergence uniformity tied to field moisture reserves.

Delta and Lower Mississippi Valley

• Intermittent cloud cover with a slight chance for light showers in spots; many locations remained dry.
• Mild temperatures supported late-season field operations and cover-crop establishment.

Southeast (Gulf Coast, Carolinas, GA, FL peninsula)

• Mild to warm days, cooler nights inland; coastal humidity higher.
• Isolated light showers possible near sea-breeze or weak boundaries; most areas dry enough for timely harvest.

Northeast Specialty Crops (NY, PA, New England)

• Cool conditions were the rule; frost risk continued in interior valleys.
• Intermittent light precipitation in lake-effect belts; elsewhere mixed clouds and sun.

California Central Valley and Coastal Growing Regions

• Mainly dry with cool mornings; pockets of early day valley fog (including Tule fog) in typical zones.
• Coastal zones saw marine influence with low clouds; inland fields benefited from dry harvest windows.

Pacific Northwest (WA/OR interiors, Columbia Basin)

• Moist Pacific flow brought clouds and periodic light to moderate precipitation, most persistent along windward slopes.
• Higher elevations saw early-season snow; lowlands leaned cool and damp.

Southwest Deserts (AZ, NM borderlands, Imperial/Lower Colorado)

• Predominantly dry with large day–night temperature swings.
• Clear skies promoted rapid radiational cooling overnight; irrigation scheduling continued uninterrupted.

Intermountain West and Rockies (ID, UT, CO, WY)

• Cool to cold with localized light snow in higher terrain; valleys varied from dry to briefly showery.
• Rangeland saw periodic breeziness; livestock water and windbreaks remained points of attention.

Seven-Day Agricultural Weather Outlook

Broadly, expect a progressive pattern: periodic northern-tier disturbances, Gulf moisture flirtations in the mid-South/Ohio Valley, a wetter West Coast north of California, and continued dryness for much of the Southwest and parts of California. Confidence is moderate on temperature trends and placement of wettest zones; lower on exact timing of individual shortwaves.

Corn Belt

• Temperatures: Near to slightly below normal north; near normal south. Several cold mornings could bring frost to interior northern fields; southern tier sees seasonable chill.
• Precipitation: Two to three opportunities for light to locally moderate precipitation, especially Great Lakes and Ohio Valley; lake-effect bands may enhance totals downwind of the lakes.
• Field Impacts: Mostly short-lived delays as showers pass; breezy post-frontal periods favor drying. Late harvest progress should continue with episodic pauses.

Northern Plains

• Temperatures: Generally below normal, with sharp nighttime cooling under clear breaks; periodic daytime moderation.
• Precipitation: Light, fast-moving events; limited moisture overall. A few nuisance snow showers possible north and near the Canadian border.
• Field/Livestock: Cold stress risk during breezy nights; monitor water sources for icing. Fieldwork windows remain mainly tied to temperature comfort rather than saturation.

Central and Southern Plains

• Temperatures: Near normal overall; brief warm-ups ahead of fronts and cool-downs behind them.
• Precipitation: Limited. Best chances occur with a passing front mid- to late-week, skewing light and scattered.
• Winter Wheat: Germination and tillering hinge on subsoil moisture; wind events may increase evapotranspiration. Consider protecting vulnerable stands where topsoil is powdery.

Delta and Lower Mississippi Valley

• Temperatures: Near to slightly above normal; minimal frost risk outside far northern fringes.
• Precipitation: Several windows for showers; locally moderate totals possible where Gulf moisture aligns with a front.
• Fieldwork: Expect episodic delays, but multi-day washouts are unlikely; drainage and residue management help quick turnarounds.

Southeast

• Temperatures: Above-normal daytime warmth inland early, trending closer to seasonal later; coastal areas steady.
• Precipitation: Mostly light and scattered; localized heavier pockets if a weak Gulf disturbance organizes.
• Specialty Crops: Citrus and winter vegetables benefit from warmth; monitor for patchy morning fog and disease pressure if humidity spikes after showers.

Northeast

• Temperatures: Near to below normal; regular frost/freeze inland and in higher terrain.
• Precipitation: Periods of light rain or mixed precipitation; lake-effect bands enhance totals regionally.
• Impacts: Vineyard/orchard post-harvest prep continues; protect stored crops from freeze and moisture fluctuations.

California Central Valley and Coastal Regions

• Temperatures: Seasonable days, cool nights; frequent valley inversions with recurring fog potential, especially mornings.
• Precipitation: Limited to none across most valley locations; coastal ranges may pick up light showers with passing weak systems.
• Impacts: Excellent field access; watch air quality constraints during stagnant, foggy periods; nut and fruit drying continues to benefit from afternoon sun.

Pacific Northwest

• Temperatures: Cool; snow levels fluctuating with each system, bringing accumulating snow to higher terrain.
• Precipitation: Multiple waves with widespread rain west of the Cascades and into windward foothills; interior basins see lighter amounts.
• Impacts: Soil saturation increases west-side; slope stability and field access could be challenged during heavier pulses; winter wheat establishment benefits where drainage is adequate.

Southwest Deserts

• Temperatures: Near to slightly above normal days, cool nights; large diurnal swings persist.
• Precipitation: Little to none.
• Impacts: Favorable harvest and planting windows; continue vigilant irrigation scheduling and frost checks in colder pockets.

Intermountain West and Rockies

• Temperatures: Below normal in higher terrain; valleys variable with cold nights.
• Precipitation: Periodic light snow in mountains; valley precipitation generally light and brief.
• Impacts: Rangeland and livestock management focus on wind breaks, water accessibility, and cold snaps; hydrology benefits from early high-elevation snowpack accumulation.

Notable Hazards and Opportunities

• Frost/Freeze: Recurrent frost risk north of the I-80 corridor and interior Northeast; protect late-season vegetables and sensitive nursery stock.
• Wind: Plains and open rangelands see periodic gusty conditions around frontal passages; soil erosion risk rises on bare fields.
• Fog: Central Valley (CA) and Southeastern inland lows may see morning fog reducing visibility; schedule harvest/transport accordingly.
• Wet West: PNW storminess aids soil moisture recharge and mountain snowpack but may slow fieldwork and increase disease pressure in overwintering crops.
• Dry Southwest/California: Continued field access and curing potential; monitor evapotranspiration and air quality constraints.

Operational Planning Pointers

• Harvest Windows: Capitalize on drier, breezier post-frontal periods in the Corn Belt and Plains; stage equipment to pivot quickly before the next light precipitation round.
• Winter Wheat: In the Plains and Pacific Northwest, prioritize fields with marginal emergence for moisture conservation and residue cover; scout for wind desiccation and pest activity during mild stretches.
• Livestock: Prepare for wind-exposed cold nights in the Northern Plains and Rockies; ensure unfrozen water supplies and windbreak access.
• Specialty Crops: In California and the Southeast, manage fog-related disease risks with timely canopy drying and sanitation; use the mild stretch for orchard and vineyard post-harvest tasks.

Confidence and Monitoring

Confidence is moderate that the northern tier stays on the cool, occasionally unsettled side and that the Pacific Northwest trends wet, while the Southwest and much of California remain comparatively dry with fog episodes in the Central Valley. Exact timing and intensity of individual systems carry lower confidence. Monitor local forecasts and advisories daily for timing-sensitive decisions.