National overview for U.S. agricultural interests

Mid-November typically brings sharp day-to-day swings: fast-moving cold fronts across the central and eastern states, early-season mountain snow in the West, occasional lake-effect snow downwind of the Great Lakes, and brief warm-ups ahead of fronts. Fieldwork windows open and close quickly, and overnight chills are increasingly common north of the Gulf Coast. The guidance below is designed to help producers plan around those patterns with a practical, region-focused outlook.

Note on data and confidence: This report provides a broad, agriculture-focused overview without site-specific, real-time observations. Conditions vary locally. Use official local forecasts and observations to finalize decisions, especially for frost/freeze, heavy rain, wind, or snow timing.

Past 24 hours: Agriculture-relevant highlights by region

Across the country, mid-November conditions commonly feature the following impacts. Individual farms may have experienced some or all of these, depending on location and the path of the latest cold fronts:

Pacific Northwest and Northern Rockies

  • Periodic light to moderate precipitation west-facing slopes; higher-elevation wet snow in the Cascades and northern Rockies creating slick passes and limiting late-season fieldwork at altitude.
  • Cool, damp conditions in western valleys; drier east of the Cascades with cold mornings.

California and the Central Valley

  • Mostly dry conditions favoring harvest and orchard operations; chilly dawns in interior valleys with patchy fog in low spots where skies were clear overnight.
  • Low relative humidity inland during the afternoons; localized offshore breezes possible near and south of the Transverse Ranges.

Intermountain West and Southwest deserts

  • Large day–night temperature swings; cold dawns in higher valleys with frost pockets.
  • Mainly dry in the deserts, supporting vegetable and forage operations; breezy episodes along typical corridor gaps.

Northern Plains and Upper Midwest

  • Seasonal to chilly air with scattered light precipitation along/behind a passing front; a few light snow or wintry mix pockets possible north of major rivers.
  • Where winds aligned over the Great Lakes, narrow lake-effect bands could have produced localized quick-hitting snow and reduced visibility.

Central and Southern Plains

  • Gusty winds around frontal passages, creating blowing dust in bare fields and accelerating surface drying.
  • Spotty light showers with frontal timing; otherwise many dry hours aiding field access but encouraging rapid evapotranspiration under sun and wind.

Corn Belt and Ohio/Tennessee Valleys

  • Intermittent light to moderate showers near a cold front; brief wetting rains slowing combines where showers were concentrated.
  • Cooler air following the front with brisk northwest winds; patchy frost risk in clearer, calmer pockets overnight.

Lower Mississippi Delta and Mid-South

  • Humid intervals and passing showers/thunder in frontal zones; brief downpours in spots.
  • Muggy periods gave way to cooler, drier air behind the front, aiding post-rain drying.

Southeast and Florida

  • Coastal/onshore showers common along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, with inland breaks; locally heavy bursts under training bands.
  • Patchy inland chill where skies cleared overnight; coastal areas remained milder.

Northeast

  • Changeable skies with a frontal passage: showers followed by breezy, cooler air; upslope/lake-effect flakes at elevation and downwind of lakes.
  • Rapid drying in the coastal plain after frontal clearance, aiding late-season field tasks.

Seven-day agriculture outlook: What to expect and plan for

Confidence is moderate for broad temperature trends and timing of one or two frontal waves, lower for exact precipitation placement late in the period. Plan for quick weather shifts and keep flexibility in field schedules.

Temperature trends

  • Northern tier (Pacific Northwest to northern Plains/Upper Midwest): Frequently cool with sub-freezing dawns common outside urban cores. A couple of reinforcing cool shots likely.
  • Central corridor (central High Plains to Corn Belt): Oscillating temperatures with brief milder periods ahead of fronts and 1–3 chilly mornings behind them. Widespread hard freeze risk mainly north of I-70.
  • Southern tier (southern Plains, Delta, Southeast, Florida): Generally seasonable with warm-ups ahead of fronts. Patchy inland frost possible away from coasts on the coolest, clear nights.
  • West: Interior valleys cold at dawn; mountains seasonably cold. California coastal/inland valleys see cool mornings and mild afternoons.

Precipitation pattern

  • Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies: Several light-to-moderate waves favoring windward slopes; accumulating mountain snow at higher passes at times.
  • California: Predominantly dry; a weak, fast-moving disturbance could brush the far north late week with light rain north of the Bay Area and light mountain snow in the far north Cascades/Siskiyous.
  • Northern Plains to Great Lakes: Light, frequent clipper-type events possible; modest liquid totals but occasional light snow, especially downwind of lakes under northwest flow.
  • Central/Southern Plains to Lower Mississippi Valley: One or two rounds of showers likely along frontal boundaries; best coverage mid-to-late week. Locally beneficial moisture for wheat, but uneven distribution.
  • Ohio/Tennessee Valleys and Mid-Atlantic: Intermittent showers with frontal passages; dry breaks support field access between rounds.
  • Southeast and Florida: Scattered showers along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts; inland areas more variable. Periods of higher humidity may persist before drier air arrives behind fronts.
  • Northeast: Passing showers with a front early-to-midweek; upslope and lake-effect light snow/flurries at elevation. Late-week coastal system risk is low-to-moderate and track-dependent.

Wind, fire weather, and severe risk

  • High Plains and adjoining Plains: Breezy-to-windy with frontal passages; localized blowing dust in bare or freshly tilled fields.
  • Southern California and interior Southwest: Periodic offshore or downslope breezes may elevate fire-weather concerns in favored canyons; monitor local Red Flag statements.
  • Thunderstorms: A limited severe threat at times near the Gulf Coast or Lower Mississippi Valley if a stronger front taps Gulf moisture; overall severe risk looks low to modest.

Snow and ice potential

  • Cascades, northern Rockies: Several opportunities for light-to-moderate high-elevation snow.
  • Northern Plains/Upper Midwest/Great Lakes: Light, fast-moving snow bouts and localized lake-effect snow under northwest flow; impactful mainly where bands persist.
  • Central Rockies/High Plains: Brief light snow possible with passing shortwaves, mainly at elevation.

Region-by-region impacts and planning notes

Pacific Northwest

  • Fieldwork: Limited by periodic rain west-side; better windows east of the Cascades between waves.
  • Livestock: Wet, breezy periods elevate stress; provide windbreaks and dry bedding.
  • Water: Gradual mountain snowpack building at higher elevations; beneficial for water supply outlook.

California

  • Fieldwork: Generally favorable. Watch for valley fog at daybreak and brief cool mornings affecting start times.
  • Perennials: Irrigate strategically; low RH and offshore breezes can accelerate moisture loss in orchards and vineyards.
  • Fire weather: Locally elevated in windy canyons; maintain defensible space around equipment operations.

Intermountain West and Southwest

  • Frost/Freeze: Frequent in high valleys; protect sensitive winter vegetables and nursery stock.
  • Irrigation: Mostly dry; schedule to match cool-season forage needs while avoiding overnight icing at emitters.

Northern Rockies and High Plains (MT, WY, western Dakotas)

  • Cold shots and occasional light snow; road and range conditions variable. Provide livestock access to unfrozen water and shelter during windy periods.
  • Winter wheat: Cold favors hardening; even light snow improves surface moisture but may be patchy.

Central and Southern Plains (NE/KS/OK/TX)

  • Wheat: One or two showers mid-to-late week could aid establishment, but coverage uneven. Wind erosion risk on bare fields—use residue and shelterbelts where possible.
  • Livestock: Windy fronts produce notable wind chills; inspect fencing and ensure tank heaters are functional.

Midwest and Corn Belt

  • Harvest: Short, usable windows between light precip rounds. Keep an eye on grain moisture; cool, breezy afternoons assist natural drying.
  • Frost/Freeze: Likely on several mornings outside urban cores; winterize irrigation and chemigation systems.

Delta and Mid-South

  • Cotton and soybeans: Showers may briefly slow picking and field drying; plan ginning logistics around humid intervals.
  • Wheat/cover crops: Intermittent rains favor emergence; avoid compaction by waiting for surface firming after downpours.

Southeast (AL/GA/Carolinas) and Florida

  • Produce/citrus: Inland frost pockets possible on the coolest, clear nights—monitor wet-bulb temps and deploy protection if thresholds are approached.
  • Fields: Coastal/onshore showers may cause slick rows; drainage maintenance helps between bursts.

Northeast

  • Hay and late-season fieldwork: Narrow, breezy dry windows between showers; quicker drying in coastal plain after frontal clearance.
  • Specialty crops: Freeze management for remaining root and leafy greens; protect winterized irrigation from freeze damage.

Fieldwork windows and slowdowns

  • Best odds for multi-day dry stretches: California, interior Southwest, portions of the central/southern High Plains between fronts.
  • Intermittent windows: Corn Belt, Ohio/Tennessee Valleys, Mid-Atlantic—expect 1–2 days dry between light precipitation rounds.
  • Frequent interruptions: Pacific Northwest windward zones, northern Great Lakes snow belts, Northern Rockies high terrain.

Key agricultural risks to monitor this week

  • Freeze/frost: Central and northern states on several mornings; inland Southeast pockets on the coldest clear nights.
  • Wind: High Plains and open Delta/Plains fields with frontal passages; secure tarps, pivot spans, and light equipment.
  • Fire weather: Southern California canyons and interior Southwest with offshore or downslope winds and low RH.
  • Heavy local precipitation: Gulf Coast and coastal Southeast under training bands; isolated ponding possible.
  • Snow/ice: High-elevation West and Great Lakes snow belts; brief travel and logistics impacts.

Soil moisture, irrigation, and water supply considerations

  • Moisture additions are most likely in the Pacific Northwest, northern Rockies, and along frontal corridors from the central Plains through the Southeast; totals will be uneven.
  • California and the interior Southwest trend dry; plan irrigation for orchards, winter vegetables, and newly planted perennials while accounting for cool-season evapotranspiration.
  • Early-season snowpack should continue to build in the northern mountains; the Sierra Nevada outlook remains dependent on later-season storm tracks.

Actionable planning checklist

  • Harvest and planting: Target dry, breezy afternoons between fronts for combining and small-grain drilling; avoid compaction after wetting rains.
  • Frost protection: Stage covers, wind machines, and irrigation for inland Southeast/Florida groves and for vulnerable specialty crops nationwide.
  • Wind prep: Secure light equipment and plastic; inspect greenhouse films and hoop houses ahead of expected gusts.
  • Livestock care: Ensure windbreaks, bedding, and unfrozen water access; check heaters and backup power for water systems.
  • Erosion control: Maintain residue cover and windbreaks in the Plains and open Delta fields where winds align.
  • Irrigation winterization: Drain or insulate exposed lines and valves in areas with repeated sub-freezing dawns.

For precise timing at your farm, consult official National Weather Service forecasts, local extension advisories, and on-farm sensors. Adjust plans as local radar and short-range guidance update through the week.