Across the nation’s farm belt, the past 24 hours brought typical early-winter contrasts: colder, occasionally wintry conditions along the northern tier, milder and drier stretches across portions of the Southern Plains and Southeast, and periodic Pacific-driven moisture testing fields and rangelands in parts of the West. Many producers contended with patchy slick spots where light wintry precip or freezing fog developed, intermittent wind that elevated livestock cold stress in exposed areas, and day-to-day variability in field trafficability where soils are seasonally cool and damp.

Past 24 hours: regional highlights and on-farm impacts

Pacific Northwest and Northern Rockies

• Unsettled weather favored intermittent rain at lower elevations and mountain snow, maintaining beneficial snowpack for spring water supply but complicating timber access and mountain passes.
• Soils in lowlands remained damp in recurring showers, limiting field equipment access in poorly drained areas.

California (Coastal, Central Valley, and Sierra foothills)

• Valley locations saw seasonably cool mornings with areas of fog in spots; patchy dense fog where it formed reduced visibility for early hauling and orchard work.
• Intermittent coastal showers in some corridors; higher terrain cold enough for occasional light snow. Orchard floors and vegetable ground stayed soft in places.

Southwest Deserts (AZ/NM borderlands)

• Generally dry with cool nights; irrigation schedules largely uninterrupted. Isolated breeziness in exposed rangeland elevated evaporation and livestock water needs modestly.

Northern Plains and High Plains (MT, ND, SD, WY, NE)

• Wintry chill persisted with spotty light snow or flurries in some locales. Morning lows supported freeze/thaw cycling, producing slick spots on untreated surfaces.
• Wind intermittently increased livestock cold stress; windbreaks and dry bedding remained helpful for calves and late-gestation cows.

Central and Southern Plains (KS, OK, TX Panhandle)

• Predominantly dry hours aided wheat establishment where moisture is adequate, though breezy periods locally increased evapotranspiration and topsoil crusting risk.
• Rangeland remained workable; stock tanks benefited from regular checks in areas with overnight freezes.

Corn Belt and Upper Midwest (MN, IA, WI, IL, IN, MI, OH)

• Seasonably cold to chilly with scattered light precip in some belts—rain/snow mix or flurries north, light rain/drizzle south. Travel and late fall tillage faced brief slowdowns where surfaces were wet or lightly frozen.
• Stored grain aeration favored by cool air; short foggy intervals reduced visibility for early trucking in low-lying areas.

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

• Variable cloud cover with a few light showers in spots; otherwise manageable conditions for winter field prep and livestock chores. Cool mornings supported patchy frost in interior locations.

Southeast (AL, GA, FL, the Carolinas)

• Seasonal to cool conditions with pockets of morning frost inland. Coastal and peninsular areas trended milder, allowing routine citrus and vegetable operations.

Northeast and Mid-Atlantic specialty crops

• Chilly, occasionally damp conditions with light snow or mixed precip north of the I-90 corridor in spots. Orchard and vineyard crews continued winter pruning in brief dry windows.

Seven-day agricultural weather outlook

Note for readers: The following is a broad, region-by-region outlook meant to guide planning. Conditions vary widely over short distances, especially in winter. Always verify timing and amounts with local National Weather Service forecasts before making critical decisions.

Pacific Northwest

• Precipitation: Multiple waves favored, with periodic lowland rain and accumulating mountain snow. Short lulls provide brief field access windows; expect additional muddy conditions in poorly drained ground.
• Temperatures: Near to slightly below seasonal normals at times; chill supports winter wheat vernalization where planted.
• Risks: Slick travel over passes; localized ponding near saturated fields; strong coastal or gap winds during frontal passages.

California

• Precipitation: Intermittent showers more likely along the coast and northern half of the state; Central Valley sees mainly dry-to-spotty light events.
• Temperatures: Cool nights favor recurring valley fog episodes; daytime highs seasonable. Cold pockets could see frost where skies clear and winds decouple.
• Impacts: Fog delays for harvest/hauling; orchard sanitation and pruning favored in midday dry windows. Mountain snow possible with any stronger system.

Southwest Deserts

• Precipitation: Generally limited; any passing disturbance brings only brief, light showers.
• Temperatures: Cool mornings and mild afternoons; occasional breezy periods.
• Impacts: Good continuity for vegetable harvest and field prep; monitor wind for sandblasting risk in freshly emerged beds.

Northern Rockies and High Plains

• Precipitation: Periodic light snow events likely, with locally moderate amounts in upslope areas.
• Temperatures: Persistently cold to seasonably cold; brief colder shots possible behind fronts.
• Impacts: Continued livestock cold stress during windy, subfreezing intervals; road impacts from light snow and drifting in open country.

Central and Southern Plains

• Precipitation: Mostly limited early, with increasing chance of a frontal passage delivering light to moderate rain (and a wintry mix north) later in the period.
• Temperatures: Near to above normal south; variable in the central Plains with colder shots behind fronts.
• Impacts: Good early-period field access where soils are dry; later-period rainfall would benefit winter wheat stands but may briefly reduce grazing on saturated pastures.

Corn Belt and Upper Midwest

• Precipitation: Several weak disturbances likely. Light snow/flurries north; light rain or mixed precip in central/southern zones, with a better-organized system possible late period.
• Temperatures: Generally near to below normal north, near normal south; notable day-to-day swings with frontal passages.
• Impacts: Intermittent slick travel; narrow windows for field work in the south on drier days. Grain drying/conditioning aided by cool, drier post-frontal air between systems.

Delta and Mid-South

• Precipitation: Increasing shower chances with a frontal system mid-to-late period; otherwise scattered light events.
• Temperatures: Seasonable; mild spells ahead of fronts and cooler behind.
• Impacts: Mostly favorable for winter field prep early; later-week wetting rains would replenish topsoil moisture but may slow equipment movement briefly.

Southeast

• Precipitation: Periodic showers, more numerous with a passing front later in the outlook.
• Temperatures: Near to above normal along the Gulf/FL at times; cooler inland with morning frost risk on clear, calm nights.
• Impacts: Citrus and winter vegetables continue with minor interruptions for showers; frost protection may be needed in interior cold pockets.

Northeast and Mid-Atlantic

• Precipitation: Several light systems bringing rain south and rain/snow mix north; a more organized late-period system is possible.
• Temperatures: Near to below normal overall, with transient thaws.
• Impacts: Periodic slush/ice in interior valleys; limited but workable pruning and orchard floor management during dry intervals.

Cross-regional hazards and planning cues

• Freeze and frost: Interior Southeast, Delta uplands, and California’s Central Valley may see radiational frosts on clear, calm nights. Prepare covers and irrigation for frost-sensitive crops.
• Wind: Frontal passages can bring brief strong gusts across the Plains and coastal West. Secure lightweight structures; provide windbreaks for livestock.
• Wintry mix risk: Upper Midwest and interior Northeast face periodic light snow or mixed precip. Time hauling and input deliveries for drier/sunnier breaks.
• Heavy mountain snow: Western high terrain likely accrues additional snow. Plan logistics around pass closures and chain requirements.
• Fog: Central Valley of California and some river valleys in the interior U.S. may see dense morning fog. Schedule harvesting and transport for later morning when possible.
• Fire weather: Where warm, dry, and breezy intervals occur in the Southern High Plains, limit welding/harvest operations during peak wind and maintain defensible space.

Fieldwork windows and operational guidance

• Best odds for field access: Southern Plains, Southwest deserts, and portions of the Southeast early in the period. Use these windows for fertilizer applications, orchard sanitation, and irrigation maintenance.
• Intermittent windows: Central Corn Belt and Delta will see workable days between systems; prioritize tasks requiring dry soils ahead of late-period rain.
• Limited windows: Pacific Northwest lowlands (due to recurring showers) and Northern Plains (due to cold/wintry bursts). Focus on shop work, equipment maintenance, and livestock facility improvements.

Actionable takeaways for producers

• Livestock: Prepare for wind-enhanced cold stress events in the Northern Plains/High Plains; ensure access to unfrozen water and windbreaks.
• Frost mitigation: Have covers and irrigation strategies ready for interior Southeast and Central Valley frost nights.
• Transport and logistics: Anticipate fog delays in Central Valley and slick roads in the Upper Midwest/Northeast around light wintry events; schedule deliveries accordingly.
• Soil protection: Where showery periods repeat (PNW, coastal CA), maintain residue cover and consider traffic control to prevent compaction.

For site-specific timing, amounts, and advisories, consult your local National Weather Service office or state agricultural weather network before field operations.