National Weather Roundup: Past 24 Hours

Early winter patterns dominated the country over the past day, with a series of fast-moving fronts affecting the central and eastern U.S. and Pacific moisture brushing the Northwest. Temperatures trended seasonable to cool across the northern tier and milder in parts of the South. Precipitation was spotty to scattered for many row-crop areas, steadier in favored cold-frontal zones and windward slopes.

• Northern Plains and Upper Midwest: A quick-hitting wave produced light snow or a wintry mix in places, with breezy conditions that reduced visibility in open areas. Chill increased livestock cold-stress risk during the overnight and early morning hours.
• Corn Belt and Great Lakes: Intermittent rain showers transitioned to flurries in colder pockets. Downwind of the Great Lakes, bands of lake-effect snow developed where winds aligned, while elsewhere saw dry but brisk conditions.
• Central and Southern Plains: Mostly dry to isolated light showers near frontal boundaries. Temperatures fluctuated around seasonal norms; overnight cooling promoted wheat hardening but also raised frost risk in low-lying fields.
• Delta and Lower Mississippi Valley: Scattered showers developed along and ahead of a front, wetting topsoils and briefly slowing fieldwork in wettest corridors.
• Southeast and Carolinas: Mixed clouds and sun with pockets of showers, mainly coastal or along convergent boundaries. Humidity supported dew and brief morning fog in sheltered areas.
• Mid-Atlantic and Northeast: Gusty, cooler conditions with spotty light precip; higher elevations saw a few snow showers. Travel and hay movement faced wind-related challenges at times.
• Pacific Northwest: Periods of rain west of the Cascades and mountain snow increased high-elevation snowpack. Lowlands experienced wet commutes, slick surfaces, and gusty onshore winds.
• California: Northern portions saw clouds and a few light showers; much of the Central Valley remained largely dry with overnight inversions fostering patchy fog. Sierra crests picked up light snow where moisture intersected colder air.
• Southwest and Intermountain West: Predominantly dry with large day–night temperature swings. Cold high valleys reported hard freezes; desert basins stayed mild by day, chilly at night.
• Florida Peninsula: Isolated coastal showers; otherwise mostly dry. Citrus zones experienced good chill accumulation overnight without widespread damaging cold.

Field and Crop Impacts in the Past Day

• Winter wheat (Plains, Midwest): Cooler nights aided hardening, but exposed late-emerged stands faced brief frost/wind desiccation stress. Light precip improved topsoil moisture in scattered areas.
• Row-crop wrap-up (Midwest/Delta): Short, showery windows caused localized delays; most areas continued late-season equipment moves with caution under wet spots.
• Forage and livestock: Wind and chill across the northern tier elevated energy needs; producers monitored waterers and windbreaks. Mud developed in localized wet corridors.
• Specialty crops (California/PNW/Florida): Central Valley radiation fog reduced visibility at daybreak; PNW wetting rains improved soil moisture but limited orchard floor access. Florida citrus enjoyed additional chill hours without a widespread freeze.

Seven-Day Forecast Highlights

A progressive early-December pattern is expected. The West sees recurring Pacific impulses—wettest in the Northwest and northern Rockies—while the Central U.S. experiences two primary frontal passages shifting rain/snow eastward. The South trends intermittently unsettled mid-to-late week. Temperatures fluctuate around seasonal norms: cooler north, milder south early, with a broader cool push late period.

• Most active precipitation: Pacific Northwest, northern Rockies, parts of the Great Lakes, and later-week Gulf Coast to Southeast corridors.
• Snow focus: Northern Rockies, Cascades, and downwind Great Lakes bands; light-to-moderate events possible in the Upper Midwest with passing waves.
• Temperature pattern: Near to below normal across the northern tier at times; near to above normal South and Southwest early, then a cooler trend spreads southeastward late week.
• Wind episodes: Breezy to windy along and behind fronts in the Plains, Midwest, and coastal Northwest; localized blowing snow and reduced visibility possible in open northern areas.
• Agricultural watch points: Overnight frosts/freezes in interior valleys and northern states; periodic field-access delays in wet corridors; supportive chill accumulation for orchards; livestock stress during colder, windy intervals.

Regional Forecast and Impacts (Next 7 Days)

Corn Belt and Great Lakes

Expect two to three weak-to-moderate systems crossing the region. Light rain/snow mixes likely with each frontal passage, and enhanced lake-effect snow downwind of the Great Lakes as colder air follows. Temperatures oscillate around normal, briefly milder ahead of fronts and cooler behind them.

• Fieldwork: Short windows between systems; soft fields in wetter belts. Consider soil compaction risks.
• Wheat and cover crops: Adequate chill; brief freeze events common. Snow cover, where it occurs, protects seedlings.
• Logistics: Gusty winds may complicate grain handling; occasional reduced visibility in snow showers and blowing snow.

Northern Plains and Upper Midwest

Cooler-than-normal spells punctuated by fast-moving clippers. Light, powdery snow events are possible with brief bursts of wind. Wind chills trend low at times.

• Livestock: Elevated cold-stress risk on windy nights; ensure windbreaks and unfrozen water access.
• Transport: Blowing/drifting in open country during clipper passages; watch for slick rural routes.
• Moisture: Modest water inputs; drought relief limited outside narrow bands.

Central and Southern Plains (Winter Wheat, Cattle)

Mainly dry early with a mid-to-late week front bringing scattered showers east and south of the High Plains; a rain/snow mix possible toward the central High Plains with colder air. Temperature swings are notable—mild ahead of fronts, cooler behind.

• Wheat: Hardening continues; moisture modest but beneficial where showers occur. Wind may increase evapotranspiration.
• Rangeland/Livestock: Variable thermal stress; monitor cold mornings and post-front winds.
• Fire weather: Briefly elevated in the southern High Plains on dry, windy days.

Delta and Lower Mississippi Valley

A couple of rain episodes likely as fronts settle and waves ride along the boundary. Totals vary; some areas could see soaking rains, others lighter amounts.

• Field access: Intermittent delays in wetter corridors; drainage management important.
• Winter wheat/cover: Good establishment moisture; watch for ponding in poorly drained fields.
• Humidity/Disease: Higher humidity increases foliar disease pressure in small grains and winter vegetables.

Southeast (including Carolinas and Georgia)

Periods of clouds and showers mid-to-late week, especially Gulf-adjacent and Atlantic coastal zones. Temperatures near to slightly above normal early, trending cooler late.

• Fieldwork: Frequent but brief interruptions; workable intervals between waves.
• Specialty crops: Adequate chill accumulation inland; freeze risk low to moderate in interior valleys late week.
• Coastal areas: Onshore flow can sustain persistent light rain/drizzle episodes.

Mid-Atlantic and Northeast

Two main systems influence the region: light rain/snow mixes widely, with higher-elevation snow more favored. A cooler, breezy finish late week follows a more seasonable start.

• Hay and dairy operations: Wind and intermittent precip complicate hauling and bedding.
• Orchards/vineyards: Chill hours accrue; pruning windows open between events but be alert for gusty conditions.
• Travel: Mountain passes may be slick during and after snow showers.

Pacific Northwest

Repeated Pacific waves bring wet conditions to lowlands and accumulating mountain snow. Snow levels fluctuate but trend favorable for building snowpack. Coastal and Cascade gaps see periodic strong winds.

• Field access: Limited in lowland farms during wettest stretches; monitor saturated soils for compaction.
• Irrigation/snowpack: Positive snow-water gains for 2026 water supply in headwaters.
• Wind: Possible treefall and power disruptions affecting farm operations.

California (Central Valley, Coastal, Sierra)

Northern California trends more unsettled than the south. Light to moderate precipitation episodes possible north of the Tehachapis; Central Valley sees foggy mornings on clearer, calm nights.

• Specialty crops: Continued chill accumulation; frost pockets in the Valley during clear nights.
• Fieldwork: Short delays in the north; generally workable in the southern Valley barring dense fog.
• Water: Modest Sierra snow possible with cooler, wetter bursts.

Southwest and Intermountain West

Generally dry with passing high clouds; a glancing wave may bring light mountain snow to the Four Corners high country late period. Large diurnal swings persist.

• Irrigation: Low precip means continued reliance on stored water.
• Frost/Freeze: Frequent hard freezes in high valleys; protect sensitive winter vegetables in cold basins.
• Air quality: Stable nights can trap fog and particulates in valleys.

Northern and Central Rockies

Multiple snow events favor higher elevations with occasional spillover to adjacent foothills. Temperatures lean cool, especially at night, with brisk winds over passes.

• Rangeland: Snow cover varies; livestock require wind protection and energy supplementation in cold snaps.
• Transport: Periodic chain controls and slow trucking over major passes.
• Water supply: Gradual snowpack improvement likely.

Florida Peninsula

Mostly dry with a few coastal showers early; a front late week may bring broader showers. Temperatures near to slightly above normal early, cooler behind the front.

• Citrus/vegetables: Good chill accumulation without widespread freeze; monitor interior lows late week.
• Field access: Generally favorable outside of brief showers.
• Disease: Dew and humidity support foliar disease; maintain scouting cadence.

Risk Watchlist: Next 7 Days

• Freeze/frost: Nighttime freezes common across the northern half of the U.S.; patchy frost in interior Southeast and California valleys on clear nights.
• Heavy rain: Greatest risk in the Pacific Northwest and localized Gulf Coast/Southeast corridors late week; monitor for stream rises and field ponding.
• Snow and travel impacts: Northern Rockies, Cascades, and Great Lakes snowbelts; occasional light snow in the Upper Midwest and interior Northeast.
• Wind: Breezy to windy behind fronts (Plains, Midwest, Northeast coasts) and during Pacific storms (NW). Blowing snow possible in open northern areas.
• Fog: Central Valley of California and river bottoms in the Midwest during calm, clear nights.
• Fire weather: Briefly elevated in portions of the southern High Plains on warm, dry, windy days.

Operational Takeaways for Producers

• Schedule field movements between frontal passages to reduce rutting and compaction; prioritize well-drained fields in wetter regions.
• Prepare livestock windbreaks and ensure reliable water in anticipation of windy, colder periods in the northern tier.
• Leverage cool nights for chill accumulation; protect sensitive specialty crops in known frost pockets.
• Watch for dense morning fog in California’s Central Valley and Midwest river valleys; adjust hauling and harvest logistics accordingly.
• Inspect drainage ahead of late-week rains along the Gulf Coast and Southeast to mitigate ponding.

Where to Find Local, Real-Time Updates

• National Weather Service local forecasts and alerts: https://www.weather.gov/
• Weather Prediction Center rainfall/snow outlooks: https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/
• Climate Prediction Center 6–14 day outlooks: https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/
• US Drought Monitor: https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/