Editor’s note: This article does not include live observations or an actual forecast. For location-specific conditions from the last 24 hours and the authoritative 7‑day forecast, consult the National Weather Service at weather.gov, the National Digital Forecast Database maps at weather.gov/forecastmaps, and radar at radar.weather.gov. The guidance below is designed to help producers interpret those products and translate early‑December weather into field decisions across U.S. agricultural regions.

How to quickly reconstruct the last 24 hours for your fields

  • Rain and snow totals: Use NWS “Daily Observations” or the precipitation analysis map to tally liquid equivalent. In row crops, ≥0.50 inch usually delays ground access 1–3 days on fine‑textured soils; ≥1.00 inch can stretch delays to 3–5 days.
  • Freezing exposure: Count hours ≤32°F and any dips ≤28°F. For winter wheat, short dips to 20–24°F are usually tolerated once hardened; for citrus, 28°F for ≥2 hours risks fruit damage; for tender vegetables and ornamentals, 30–31°F for even 1–2 hours can injure canopy.
  • Wind and gusts: Note peak gusts and hours with sustained ≥20 mph. Those windows raise lodging risk in small grains, increase evapotranspiration, and close spray windows due to drift concerns.
  • Soil temperature and moisture: 2–4 inch soil temps guide germination and disease pressure; saturated topsoil flags compaction risk. If soil stayed at or below field capacity, light equipment may still roll; at or above saturation, postpone traffic to avoid ruts and sidewall smearing.
  • Humidity and leaf wetness: Overnight RH ≥90% and multi‑hour leaf wetness support foliar disease; morning fog and drizzle often extend wetness beyond rainfall alone.
  • Livestock cold stress: Use wind chill. Cattle at a BCS of 5 begin stress if wind chill falls below 0–10°F without windbreaks; adjust waterer checks, bedding, and energy density accordingly.

What to watch in the next 7 days: an early‑December planning guide by region

Use the checklist below alongside your local NWS 7‑day to translate the forecast into fieldwork, frost protection, feed, and logistics decisions.

Pacific Northwest (PNW) – wheat, seed crops, hay, orchards

  • Precipitation pattern: Pacific fronts commonly arrive every 2–4 days. A single frontal day can deliver 0.25–1.00 inch liquid west of the Cascades and lighter totals inland; snow levels often oscillate with each system.
  • Field access: West‑side clay loams saturate quickly; plan equipment moves in the 24–48 hour dry breaks between systems. East‑side wheat ground is more trafficable but vulnerable to ruts if thaw follows a freeze.
  • Freeze management: Hardened winter wheat tolerates teens; irrigated orchards in basins can see strong inversions—wind machines become effective when winds are ≤5 mph and inversions ≥3–5°F.
  • Icing and wind: Gorge and gap winds can exceed 35–45 mph; secure coverings and plan spray only when sustained winds are under 10–12 mph and RH ≥55–65%.

California – Central Valley tree/vine crops, vegetables, forage

  • Rain windows vs. radiation frost: Clear nights behind fronts often bring dense fog and frost in the Valley. Plan irrigation sets ahead of frost only if soils can drain; avoid saturating roots before a multi‑night freeze.
  • Atmospheric river risk: If forecasts mention a multi‑day “AR,” expect prolonged rain, river rises, and low field access. Keep chemigation, fertigation, and manure applications away from these periods to prevent runoff.
  • Wind events: Santa Ana episodes in SoCal bring warm, dry, very gusty conditions; expect rapid crop water use and high fire danger. Staking and windbreak checks are prudent.
  • Cold thresholds: Citrus damage risk rises near 28°F for ≥2 hours; use thermometers in low pockets, not just at headlands. Cover and microsprinkler plans should be staged before the first clear, calm night after a front.

Southwest Deserts – winter vegetables, forage

  • Frost pockets: Calm, clear nights can drop to 28–32°F in low fields even if airports verify 34–36°F. Use row covers and localized wind machines where feasible.
  • Irrigation timing: Dry, sunny days with occasional breezy afternoons can push ET despite cool temps. Favor morning irrigations to reduce nighttime leaf wetness that promotes foliar disease.
  • Dust and drift: Afternoon winds often top 15–20 mph; target spray at sunrise or late evening when winds relax and inversions are not trapping droplets.

Rockies and High Plains – livestock, winter wheat, forage

  • Clippers and Arctic fronts: Expect 1–3 quick fronts during a typical early‑December week, with sharp temperature drops, light snow, and strong north winds. Wind chills drive the main livestock risk.
  • Wheat hardening: Established wheat generally tolerates single‑digit lows when snow‑covered; bare, dry soils heighten injury. Keep snow catch and residue in mind for crown insulation.
  • Water logistics: Freeze‑thaw cycles stress waterers and pipelines; stage backup heaters and check tanks daily after fronts.

Northern Plains – small grains, oilseeds, livestock

  • Snow vs. dry cold: A 1–3 inch snow provides significant insulation for overwintering crops and perennials. Without snow, protect exposed crowns and consider windbreaks for stock.
  • Blowing snow: Light, powdery snow with 25–35 mph winds produces ground blizzards even with minor new accumulation; plan road and yard access accordingly.
  • Grain handling: Cold, dry air improves grain conditioning; however, handle with caution during high winds to avoid safety risks.

Midwest/Corn Belt – corn/soy harvest wrap‑up, winter wheat

  • Front frequency: One to two fronts this week is typical. Light to moderate precipitation can close field windows; prioritize corn in areas with the wettest forecast day‑to‑day.
  • Soils and compaction: Avoid heavy axle loads within 48 hours of ≥0.50 inch rain on silt loams. Use controlled traffic lanes and tire inflation adjustments to reduce rutting.
  • Wheat stand care: Emerged wheat benefits from a protective snow skim; watch low‑lying ponding after rain-on-frozen ground events.
  • Spray windows: For fall herbicide or fertilizer carriers, aim for winds under 10 mph and RH above 60% to limit drift and volatilization.

Delta and Mid‑South – winter wheat, cover crops, cotton/soy residue management

  • Gulf moisture surges: Two‑ to three‑day humid spells elevate foliar disease risk in wheat and vegetables. Leaf wetness duration matters as much as rainfall totals.
  • Field access: Fine‑textured alluvial soils rut easily after ≥0.75 inch. Schedule tillage and bedding between rain episodes; consider skipping operations ahead of heavier systems.
  • Cold snaps: Radiational freezes may nip late‑planted vegetables; protect sensitive crops at 31–32°F thresholds with covers or overhead irrigation where appropriate.

Southern Plains and Texas – winter wheat, cattle, specialty crops

  • Dryline and front interplay: Expect big swings—mild, windy days ahead of fronts and sharp cool‑downs behind. Plan grazing rotations to protect wheat during desiccating winds.
  • Fire weather: RH under 20–25% with gusts over 25 mph elevates wildfire risk; postpone hot work and check electrical fences.
  • Wheat establishment: Moisture timing is critical; even 0.25–0.50 inch, if well‑timed, can kickstart tillering. Protect against sandblasting on bare fields during post‑frontal winds.

Southeast – vegetables, citrus, pasture

  • Frost and dew formation: Clear nights after frontal passage foster heavy dew and radiational frost inland. Coastal zones tend to stay a few degrees warmer.
  • Rain bands and ponding: Gulf systems can bring 1–3 inches in a couple of days; elevate beds and ensure drainage is open. Avoid nitrogen applications immediately prior to heavier rounds.
  • Chill accumulation: Cool nights aid chill hour targets in orchards; protect bloom where varieties are ahead of schedule after warm spells.

Northeast – dairy, orchards, vegetables

  • Clipper systems and coastal lows: Light snows are common with clippers; coastal lows can deliver soaking rain or heavy wet snow. Wet, heavy snow loads threaten high tunnels—clear accumulation promptly.
  • Freeze‑thaw and roads: Daily thawing followed by night freezes damages farm lanes; schedule milk and feed runs during midday thaws when possible.
  • Cold protection: Straw mulch for perennials and windbreaks for livestock help bridge short, sharp cold shots.

Operational thresholds to align with your 7‑day forecast

  • Spray applications: Wind ≤10 mph, steady; RH ≥50–60%; temperature inversions absent (use smoke test or observe warming surface temps after sunrise). Postpone if gusty or if a strong inversion is present.
  • Fertilizer/manure: Avoid spreading within 24–48 hours of forecast ≥0.50–1.00 inch rainfall or on frozen/saturated ground to prevent runoff and regulatory issues.
  • Frost protection: Stage covers and micro‑sprinklers when a clear, calm night follows a frontal passage and forecast lows are within 2–3°F of crop damage thresholds. Monitor canopy‑level temperatures, not just airport readings.
  • Livestock care: Increase energy density and provide windbreaks when wind chill is forecast below 0–10°F for cattle and below 10–20°F for small ruminants; check waterers daily during and after cold fronts.
  • Field trafficability: If your 7‑day shows multi‑day rain, consolidate passes, use controlled traffic, and consider flotation tires. As a rule of thumb, delay heavy traffic 1 day per 0.25 inch rain on poorly drained soils.

Where to get precise last‑24‑hour data and 7‑day forecasts

Producer checklist before the next front

  • Confirm crop‑specific cold thresholds (e.g., citrus 28°F/2 hours; hardened wheat low teens; cool‑season vegetables 30–31°F).
  • Identify 24–48 hour dry windows to complete spraying, harvest, or bedding.
  • Stage frost covers, inspect heaters/microsprinklers, and fuel equipment.
  • Harden water systems: drain exposed lines where deep freezes are forecast.
  • Move hay and feed away from low crossings prone to ice or flooding.
  • Document last 24 hours of leaf wetness and temperature to guide disease and growth decisions.