This late-November stretch finds U.S. agriculture straddling fall wrap-up and winter setup: the Northern tier is transitioning into dormancy and livestock cold-stress season, Central and Southern Plains winter wheat stands are establishing, California and the Pacific Northwest are moving into the cool-season storm track, and the Southeast/Delta are balancing harvest logistics with periodic frontal rains. The following report provides a region-by-region recap of recent conditions and a seven‑day outlook focused on agricultural impacts and fieldwork planning.

Note: This article synthesizes broad regional conditions and forecast signals as of publication. For precise local observations from the past 24 hours and site-specific forecasts or warnings, consult the National Weather Service and state mesonet networks.

Past 24 Hours: Operational Takeaways by Region

Conditions varied widely across the country over the last day. Here are the impacts that most commonly affect agriculture at this time of year and were possible across major production zones:

Pacific Northwest (WA, OR, ID)

  • Frequent showers along the coast and lower valleys with mountain snow at pass level can slow timber and specialty crop logistics.
  • Gusty onshore winds at times; saturated soils on windward slopes increase erosion risk on exposed fields.

California (Central Valley, Coastal districts)

  • North Valley more prone to passing light rain; South Valley often remained drier, with night and morning fog where skies cleared.
  • Cool mornings aided dormancy; wet foliage periods increased disease pressure in orchards/vineyards where showers occurred.

Southwest (AZ, NM)

  • Mostly dry with large day–night temperature swings; localized freezing pockets in high valleys and colder basins.
  • Ongoing irrigation needs for winter vegetables; low humidity preserved harvest quality.

Northern Plains (MT, ND, SD, WY)

  • Occasional light snow or flurries with brisk winds; visibility reductions in open country and elevated livestock chill stress.
  • Soils trending frozen during nights; field trafficability generally firm where snow cover was limited.

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

  • Fronts and pressure gradients produced breezy periods; patchy light precip in the east, drier to the west.
  • Winter wheat: moisture availability uneven—better east, lean west; blowing dust possible in the High Plains where topsoil is dry.

Midwest/Upper Midwest (MN, IA, WI, IL, IN, MI, MO, OH)

  • Scattered light rain/snow mix north; chilly, damp periods slowed final fieldwork where showers persisted.
  • Lake-effect snow likely downwind of the Great Lakes with locally slick rural roads.

Delta and Mid-South (AR, LA, MS, TN, KY)

  • Clouds increasing at times ahead of frontal passages; patchy showers affected late harvest and fall tillage windows.
  • Mild nights ahead of fronts, cooler behind.

Southeast (AL, GA, FL, SC, NC, southern VA)

  • Frontal showers and a few thunderstorms possible in Gulf-adjacent zones; otherwise seasonable with good ventilation for drying between systems.
  • Interior frost pockets where skies cleared overnight.

Northeast (PA, NY, New England)

  • Mixed rain/snow episodes inland; gusty conditions over higher terrain.
  • Lake-effect bands produced localized heavy bursts downwind of the lakes.

Seven-Day U.S. Agricultural Weather Outlook (Nov 22–29)

The period favors an active Pacific storm track into the Northwest, periodic clippers or fronts across the Northern tier and Midwest, and one or two frontal waves sweeping the South and East. Temperature gradients set up cooler north, seasonable to mild south. Confidence is moderate for broad patterns, lower for exact timing and local amounts.

Pacific Northwest

  • Precipitation: Frequent valley rain and mountain snow, with the heaviest on coastal ranges and the Cascades. Brief lulls possible mid-period.
  • Temperatures: Near to slightly below normal; snow levels fluctuating with each front.
  • Impacts: Field access windows short; risk of saturated soils on windward slopes; transport delays over mountain passes.

California (North/Central Valley, Central Coast)

  • Precipitation: Light to locally moderate events favoring the northern half early to midweek; drier trend more likely south of Sacramento Valley.
  • Temperatures: Seasonable days; cool to cold nights with patchy dense fog on clearer, calm mornings.
  • Impacts: Intermittent spray and harvest disruptions in the north; fog hazards for early-morning logistics; good recharge potential without prolonged flooding risk.

Southwest (AZ, NM)

  • Precipitation: Mostly dry; a weak disturbance could brush northern AZ/NM with light precip late period.
  • Temperatures: Near normal days; chilly nights with freezing pockets above the lowest elevations.
  • Impacts: Continued irrigation support for winter vegetables; frost protection planning for sensitive crops in colder microclimates.

Northern Plains

  • Precipitation: Light snow or flurries with passing clippers; limited liquid equivalent overall.
  • Temperatures: Near to below normal; periodic wind chills noteworthy on open rangeland.
  • Impacts: Increasing dormancy for winter wheat; livestock cold-stress management needed on breezy, colder days.

Central and Southern Plains

  • Precipitation: Spotty light showers with early- to midweek frontal passages, greatest east; western High Plains trend drier.
  • Temperatures: Near normal overall; colder mornings behind fronts with localized hard freezes in the Panhandles and high plains.
  • Impacts: Establishment moisture remains uneven—beneficial east where showers occur; elevated fire-weather risk on dry, windy afternoons, especially west TX/OK.

Midwest/Upper Midwest

  • Precipitation: Two to three waves bringing periods of light rain/snow; lake-effect episodes following colder shots.
  • Temperatures: Near to below normal north; near normal south.
  • Impacts: Short, opportunistic fieldwork windows between systems; rural travel slick at times north and in lake belts.

Delta and Mid-South

  • Precipitation: One or two frontal rain episodes midweek and/or late period; locally soaking where bands linger.
  • Temperatures: Mild ahead of fronts, cooler and drier air behind.
  • Impacts: Harvest/tillage pauses during rain; improved soil moisture recharge for winter wheat and cover crops.

Southeast

  • Precipitation: Frontal showers and a few thunderstorms, mainly Gulf Coast and FL Peninsula; drying intervals are likely to be fairly quick after frontal passage.
  • Temperatures: Seasonable days; inland frost potential on the first clear night post-front.
  • Impacts: Short-term delays for row-crop harvest and vegetable operations during rain; good ventilation and drying behind fronts.

Northeast

  • Precipitation: Mixed rain/snow with passing lows; lake-effect snow in favored belts following cold advection.
  • Temperatures: Near to below normal; colder in interior highlands.
  • Impacts: Orchard and dairy logistics affected by wind and wet roads; brief travel challenges in snow bands, especially rural routes.

Day-by-Day Highlights

  • Sat–Sun (Nov 22–23): Active Pacific fronts into the Northwest; clipper-type weak systems across the Northern tier; mostly dry Southwest; scattered light precip Midwest; a front approaches the Mid-South/Southeast with increasing showers near the Gulf.
  • Mon–Tue (Nov 24–25): Showery Northwest continues; light rain/snow mix pushes across the Upper Midwest/Great Lakes; breezy Central Plains; Delta trends wetter as a frontal wave organizes; Southeast turns unsettled near the Gulf and FL.
  • Wed–Thu (Nov 26–27): Intermittent rain for the Mid-South and Tennessee Valley; drier breaks emerge in the Corn Belt; lake-effect snow behind a cooler push; California north may see a glancing light event, with fog risk elsewhere on calm nights.
  • Fri–Sat (Nov 28–29): Another Pacific impulse targets the Northwest; Plains largely dry except far east; Southeast dries behind departing front with inland frost potential under clear skies.

Key Agricultural Risks and Opportunities

  • Fieldwork windows: Best chances in the Southwest, interior California (outside of light northern events and fog), western High Plains, and between waves in the central/southern Corn Belt. Short windows in the Pacific Northwest and Great Lakes belts.
  • Soil moisture: Net improvement likely in the Pacific Northwest, Northern California (north), Delta, and Tennessee Valley. Limited gains in western High Plains; monitor for wind-driven topsoil drying.
  • Winter wheat: Establishment aided in the Central/Delta zones where frontal rains occur; western Plains remain moisture-limited with periodic wind stress.
  • Livestock cold stress: Elevated risk on the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest during breezy, colder days—wind breaks and access to unfrozen water remain priorities.
  • Fire weather: Elevated on select afternoons in the western/southern High Plains where dry, gusty conditions align; remain vigilant with rangeland fires.
  • Fog: Dense valley fog risk on calm, clear nights in California’s Central Valley and other low-lying basins; plan transport accordingly.

Regional Seven-Day Snapshot

Pacific Northwest

Frequent wet spells; mountain snow; cool, breezy. Short fieldwork windows; erosion watch on slopes.

California

North: periodic light rain; South/Central: mainly dry. Patchy dense fog. Seasonable cool nights.

Southwest

Mostly dry, large diurnal swings; freezing pockets in higher valleys. Ongoing irrigation for winter vegetables.

Northern Plains

Light snow chances with clippers; colder, breezy periods; increasing dormancy and livestock chill management.

Central/Southern Plains

Spotty light showers east with fronts; otherwise dry and occasionally windy; localized hard freezes in colder spots.

Midwest/Upper Midwest

Intermittent rain/snow; lake-effect downwind of Great Lakes; near/below normal temps north.

Delta/Mid-South

One to two rain events delivering useful moisture; mild ahead of fronts, cooler/drier behind.

Southeast

Frontal showers/thunder near Gulf and FL; rapid drying after fronts; frost pockets inland late period.

Northeast

Mixed precip with passing systems; lake-effect snow; breezy and colder in the interior.

Planning Notes

  • Schedule harvest and field applications around short, drier breaks—particularly in the Midwest and Delta where rain bands may linger.
  • Prepare for fog delays in California’s Central Valley and other basins on clear, calm mornings.
  • Review livestock shelter and water access for Northern Plains/Upper Midwest cold snaps and breezy conditions.
  • Monitor burn restrictions and avoid open burns on windy, dry afternoons in the High Plains.
  • For localized timing and amounts, use NWS point forecasts and state mesonet tools; conditions can vary significantly over short distances.