National Overview
Over the past 24 hours, U.S. agricultural regions experienced a late-autumn mix of quiet to unsettled conditions. The most active zones were along the northern tier and the Pacific Northwest where periodic systems favored rain and high-elevation snow. Pockets of light showers were possible across parts of the Southeast near lingering boundaries, while much of the Plains, Southwest, and California’s interior valleys were largely dry with seasonable to cool temperatures north and milder readings south. Breezy periods accompanied frontal passages, creating intermittent wind stress for exposed winter wheat and livestock on the Plains.
Through the next seven days, the pattern favors an active storm track across the Northwest and northern Rockies, occasional cold fronts sweeping the central and eastern U.S., and generally drier conditions in the Southwest and much of California’s interior. A late-week to weekend uptick in Gulf moisture may increase rain chances from the Southern Plains into the Lower Mississippi Valley and portions of the Southeast. Temperature swings will feature shots of Canadian air across the northern tier, while the southern tier trends near to slightly above seasonal norms.
Regional Breakdown
Pacific Northwest (WA, OR, northern ID)
Last 24 hours
Frequent showers with periods of steady rain along windward slopes; snow likely at higher elevations. Field access remains limited where soils are saturated.
Next 7 days
- Precipitation: Multiple waves maintain above-normal totals west of the Cascades; snow accumulation continues in the Cascades and northern Rockies.
- Temperatures: Cool, with brief milder intervals between systems.
- Impacts: Delays for late-season fieldwork and forage harvest; runoff and muddy lots for livestock; improved reservoir recharge and soil moisture.
California (Central Valley, coastal ranges, southern deserts)
Last 24 hours
Generally dry across the Central Valley and southern interior; spotty coastal drizzle in places. Night and morning fog pockets in valleys where winds eased.
Next 7 days
- Precipitation: Northern California may catch light to occasional moderate rain toward mid-to-late period; Central and Southern California largely dry.
- Temperatures: Seasonable days with cool, locally chilly nights favoring radiation fog in valleys; freeze pockets possible in colder interior locations.
- Impacts: Good fieldwork windows in the Central Valley; monitor fog for harvest logistics and transport; irrigation demand low but persistent for leafy greens and specialty crops in drier southern zones.
Southwest (AZ, NM, UT, NV)
Last 24 hours
Predominantly dry, cool to mild; locally breezy in open terrain.
Next 7 days
- Precipitation: Limited; mainly dry with only light mountain snow chances in far northern/eastern high terrain.
- Temperatures: Near seasonal; colder nights in valleys and high deserts with localized frost risk.
- Impacts: Favorable for winter vegetable operations in southwestern AZ; monitor cold nights for frost protection; low rangeland water replenishment.
Northern Plains (MT, WY, ND, SD, NE)
Last 24 hours
Chilly, breezy at times; spotty light snow or flurries mainly north and west; otherwise dry with expanding soil frost in the far north.
Next 7 days
- Precipitation: Intermittent light snow episodes possible in MT/ND and nearby high plains; generally light totals outside favored bands.
- Temperatures: Below to near normal; periodic wind chills affect livestock comfort.
- Impacts: Dormant winter wheat enters deeper cold acclimation; limited moisture means little recharge; shelter and windbreaks beneficial for cattle during breezy cold shots.
Central & Southern Plains (KS, OK, TX Panhandle and North Texas)
Last 24 hours
Mostly dry with seasonable to cool conditions and occasional brisk north winds behind passing fronts.
Next 7 days
- Precipitation: Early period stays mostly dry; late-week to weekend sees increasing chances for light to locally moderate rain from the TX/OK Panhandles into central/north TX and eastern OK.
- Temperatures: Near seasonal, with cool mornings and a modest late-week moderation.
- Impacts: Early-week dryness supports fieldwork and grazing access; late-week rain would aid topsoil moisture for wheat stands but could limit short-term field access.
Midwest & Upper Midwest (MN, WI, IA, IL, MO, MI, IN, OH)
Last 24 hours
Seasonal chill with scattered light precip in the north and east; lake-effect snow showers downwind of the Great Lakes; largely dry elsewhere.
Next 7 days
- Precipitation: Periodic light rain/snow with frontal passages; lake-effect snow persists at times, mainly early and again after colder shots.
- Temperatures: Fluctuating but leaning cool north; near seasonal central and south.
- Impacts: Remaining harvest windows continue between systems; watch slick spots from light snow or refreeze; limited soil moisture recharge outside lake-effect belts.
Delta & Lower Mississippi Valley (AR, LA, MS, western TN)
Last 24 hours
Mostly dry to spotty light showers; seasonable temperatures.
Next 7 days
- Precipitation: Increasing late-week to weekend rain chances; potential for a beneficial, soaking event in some areas.
- Temperatures: Near to slightly above normal, with higher humidity late period.
- Impacts: Improving topsoil moisture if weekend rains verify; plan around a wetter window for post-harvest tillage and winter field prep.
Southeast (AL, GA, FL, SC, NC, southern VA)
Last 24 hours
Patchy showers near lingering boundaries, otherwise variable clouds with mild days and cooler nights inland.
Next 7 days
- Precipitation: Intervals of showers mid-to-late week, with higher chances over the Gulf Coast states and Florida peninsula toward the weekend.
- Temperatures: Near to slightly above normal; occasional cool-downs behind weak fronts.
- Impacts: Citrus and winter vegetables benefit from mild days; monitor for fog and dampness affecting disease pressure; wet fields possible if weekend rains focus.
Appalachians, Mid-Atlantic & Northeast
Last 24 hours
Cool and breezy in the north with scattered light rain/snow; lake-effect snow showers in favored belts; drier Mid-Atlantic with seasonable chill.
Next 7 days
- Precipitation: Periodic light systems bring rain/snow mix; lake-effect continues at times; coastal systems not favored for significant impacts at this time.
- Temperatures: Generally cool; brief moderations between frontal passages.
- Impacts: Vineyard/orchard dormancy progresses; watch freeze-thaw cycles for livestock footing and rural transport; limited but steady groundwater/surface water recharge in snow belts.
Interior West & Rockies (CO, UT, ID, WY, MT high terrain)
Last 24 hours
Unsettled in northern and central mountains with light to moderate snow; valleys variable, leaning dry and cool.
Next 7 days
- Precipitation: Continued mountain snow events, especially northern ranges; lighter and spottier in the south-central Rockies.
- Temperatures: Cool; colder at elevation with periodic wind.
- Impacts: Gradual snowpack building for water supply; rangeland access variable due to snow and wind; livestock need windbreaks and energy supplementation during cold snaps.
7-Day National Timeline (Guidance and Risk Scenarios)
- Days 1–2: Active Pacific Northwest with rain and mountain snow; clipper-type disturbances support light snow in parts of the northern tier and lake-effect downwind of the Great Lakes. Mostly dry Southwest, California interior, and central/southern Plains.
- Days 3–4: Gradual uptick in Gulf moisture into TX/OK/AR/LA with expanding shower chances; scattered light mixed precip in the Upper Midwest/Great Lakes as another front passes.
- Days 5–7: Continued wet risk in the Northwest; rain potential spreads across portions of the Southern Plains, Lower Mississippi Valley, and parts of the Southeast; cooler reinforcements return to the northern tier with renewed lake-effect bands.
Key Agricultural Considerations
- Winter Wheat (Plains, Midwest): Generally adequate dry windows early in the week; late-week rain in the Southern Plains would aid establishment. Wind events can desiccate exposed seedlings—monitor soil crusting and consider light irrigation where available.
- Row Crop Harvest Wrap-Up (Corn/Soy in Midwest/Delta): Use early-week dry intervals for final harvest and residue management. Plan for weekend delays where rain develops in the Delta and parts of the Southeast.
- Specialty Crops (CA Central Valley, Southeast produce/citrus): Fog and cool nights favor disease risk; maintain fungicide schedules where damp mornings persist. Monitor for radiational frost pockets; deploy wind machines or covers as needed.
- Livestock: Prepare for wind chill stress during northern tier cold shots and breezy Plains conditions. Maintain dry bedding and shelter; watch for muddy lots where frequent showers occur (PNW, later Delta/Southeast).
- Irrigation/Water: Low evapotranspiration across most regions reduces demand; PNW storminess supports reservoir and soil moisture recovery. Snowpack building in western mountains modestly improves early-season water outlook.
- Soils and Field Access: Muddy to saturated in the PNW and lake-effect belts; improving short-term access in the central U.S. before late-week rains develop south/east.
Regional Temperature and Precipitation Tendencies
- Cooler than normal favored: Northern Rockies/High Plains, Upper Midwest, northern Great Lakes.
- Near to slightly above normal temperatures: Southern Plains, Lower Mississippi Valley, Gulf Coast, Florida.
- Wetter than normal risk: Pacific Northwest; late-week Southern Plains to Lower Mississippi Valley; parts of the Southeast.
- Drier than normal risk: Southwest and much of California’s interior valleys; intermittent dry windows central Plains and Midwest between systems.
Operational Planning Tips
- Schedule field operations in the central U.S. early week; hold flexible plans for late-week rain in the Southern Plains and Delta.
- In the PNW, prioritize drainage and protect feedlots from standing water; expect repeated precipitation breaks to be brief.
- For frost-prone valleys (CA, AZ, NM), prepare protection for tender crops during clear, calm nights.
- In lake-effect zones, stage winter road equipment and manage grain logistics around short-notice squalls and refreeze.
Safety and Monitoring
Monitor official local forecasts and statements for rapidly changing conditions, especially where snow, strong winds, or heavy rain bands develop. Conditions can vary significantly over short distances in complex terrain and near the Great Lakes.