Below is a national, agriculture-focused weather briefing tailored to the major U.S. production regions. It highlights practical impacts and a conservative, risk-based outlook for the next seven days. For precise, field-level observations and warnings, consult local National Weather Service offices or your state mesonet.

What mattered to producers over the last 24 hours

Verified, location-specific observations vary by county and elevation. In early to mid-December, the most consequential 24-hour shifts for agriculture often include:

• Freeze–thaw cycles that soften topsoil by afternoon and refreeze overnight, affecting ruts, compaction risk, and livestock footing.
• Areas of fog, low clouds, and drizzle in the Gulf Coast states and river valleys, slowing drying rates and reducing spray windows.
• Light snow or flurries across parts of the northern tier and lake-effect belts when cold air crosses open water, leading to slick rural roads and localized feed logistics issues.
• Coastal and mountain precipitation in the West that adds to Western water supply while limiting field access in lowlands and grazing at higher elevations.
• Gusty, dry downslope or gap winds in parts of the West and High Plains, briefly elevating wildfire risk in rangeland and stressing livestock via wind chill.

Operational checks after a December 24-hour stretch: probe topsoil trafficability before heavy equipment, monitor wind chill and mud/ice risks for livestock, track stock-water levels where freezing has been persistent, and verify post-harvest grain aeration settings given overnight humidity swings.

Seven-day regional outlook for agriculture

Timeframe: the next seven days. Confidence generally moderate for broad trends; lower for day-to-day timing of individual disturbances.

Pacific Northwest (WA, OR, ID small grains, specialty crops)

• Temperatures: Seasonal to cool; colder nights in interior basins and higher valleys.
• Precipitation: Intermittent coastal and Cascade rain with mountain snow. Interior valleys see lighter, more sporadic events.
• Fieldwork: Limited in west-side lowlands during wet spells; better windows east of the Cascades between systems.
• Water/snowpack: Periodic mountain snow beneficial for irrigation supply; watch low-elevation snow/ice impacts on rural transport.

California (North Coast, Central Valley, Central Coast, Imperial)

• Temperatures: Near seasonal; cool nights with patchy fog risks in the Valley; mild afternoons when skies break.
• Precipitation: Occasional showers possible with coastal-focused moisture; Sierra snow at higher elevations if a stronger Pacific wave arrives.
• Fieldwork and specialty crops: Short spray/harvest/field prep windows between showers. Fog can delay morning operations in orchards/veg fields. Monitor citrus for radiational frost on clear nights inland.
• Irrigation: Light demand; any steady rainfall reduces near-term needs. Orchard floor management favored on drier breaks.

Southwest Deserts (AZ, NM low deserts; winter vegetables, cotton residue management)

• Temperatures: Mild days, cool nights; pockets of frost in colder valleys.
• Precipitation: Generally light and spotty; a weak impulse could bring brief showers mainly higher terrain.
• Fieldwork: Broadly favorable; watch morning frost and dew for harvest/spray timing.
• Livestock/rangeland: Adequate conditions; wind episodes may briefly elevate dust and stress stock.

Intermountain West and Rockies (UT, CO, WY, western MT; hay, livestock)

• Temperatures: Cool; colder nights in basins and high valleys with periodic inversions.
• Precipitation: Mountain snow episodes; light snow possible onto adjacent foothills with passing disturbances.
• Livestock: Monitor wind chill and drifting snow during stronger waves; maintain access to water points where freeze-ups recur.
• Transport: Rural roads can turn slick quickly near upslope/light snow events.

Northern Plains (MT, ND, SD; wheat, corn/soy post-harvest, livestock)

• Temperatures: Seasonally cold; brief moderations possible between clips of colder air.
• Precipitation: Light, fast-moving snow chances with passing disturbances; totals generally modest but impactful for visibility.
• Field and bin management: Limited fieldwork; prioritize grain handling on calmer, drier breaks. Watch bin condensation with temperature swings.
• Livestock: Wind chill management remains a priority; lee-side snow squalls may be locally disruptive.

Central Plains (NE, KS; winter wheat establishment, cattle)

• Temperatures: Near to slightly below normal, with freeze each night; a short-lived warmup is possible mid-period.
• Precipitation: Low to modest chances; a weak system could bring light rain/snow mix, mainly north.
• Winter wheat: Dormancy continues; heaving risk low where snow cover is limited and winds stay moderate. Monitor for desiccation on exposed ridges.
• Livestock: Typical December stressors; ensure windbreaks and dry bedding ahead of any breezy, colder snap.

Southern Plains (OK, TX; wheat, cattle, cotton post-harvest)

• Temperatures: Variable; cool mornings with a few mild afternoons, particularly south and west.
• Precipitation: Scattered, mainly light chances, highest east/northeast with any Gulf moisture return.
• Fieldwork: Decent windows for wheat topdressing prep and maintenance where soils are firm; wetting events would be brief.
• Livestock: Windy intervals may increase water needs and stress; monitor stock tanks for freeze-over in the Panhandle and north.

Corn Belt and Upper Midwest (MN, IA, WI, IL, IN, MI; row crops post-harvest, livestock)

• Temperatures: Cool to cold, with day-to-day swings as weak systems pass.
• Precipitation: Light snow/flurry chances north; rain/snow mix possible in the south/east with marginal temperatures.
• Fieldwork: Mostly limited to equipment maintenance and nutrient planning; short, cold/dry windows for residue management may appear.
• Logistics: Watch black ice risk on rural routes after evening refreezes.

Delta and Mid-South (AR, LA, MS, TN; row crops, winter wheat, specialty crops)

• Temperatures: Cool nights, seasonable to mild afternoons, especially along the Gulf coastal plain.
• Precipitation: Periodic light showers/fog possible, particularly near the lower Mississippi and Gulf-adjacent zones.
• Fieldwork: Patchy, short windows; humidity and low clouds can limit spraying and drying. Drainage maintenance remains timely.
• Livestock: Monitor muddy lots; hoof health can deteriorate during prolonged damp periods.

Southeast (AL, GA, FL, SC, NC coastal plain; winter vegetables, citrus, small grains)

• Temperatures: Near seasonal; occasional cool mornings inland with isolated frost away from the immediate coast on clear nights.
• Precipitation: Scattered light showers at times, with better breaks between systems for harvest/sprays.
• Citrus/vegetables: Prepare for radiational cooling on clear, calm nights—use row covers or irrigation for frost moderation as needed.
• Fieldwork: Generally favorable outside of brief shower periods and morning dew/fog delays.

Appalachians and Mid-Atlantic (KY, WV, VA, MD, NC Piedmont; hay, livestock, small grains)

• Temperatures: Cool; colder in higher elevations with frequent overnight freezes.
• Precipitation: Light precipitation chances, with rain/snow mix potential in foothills and mainly snow in higher ridges.
• Fieldwork: Limited on upslope-facing slopes; better lowland breaks. Maintain erosion controls on fall-prepared fields.
• Livestock: Windy passes and ridge tops raise chill stress; ensure accessible shelter and thawed water.

Northeast (NY, PA, New England; dairy, apples, specialty crops)

• Temperatures: Cold to seasonable; lake-effect snow belts favored for intermittent squalls.
• Precipitation: Light snow chances area-wide with clipper-type systems; coastal light rain/mix possible on marginal days.
• Operations: Orchard and vineyard blocks largely dormant; protect exposed irrigation infrastructure from freeze damage and monitor rural power reliability in wind-prone areas.
• Transport: Blowing snow can briefly reduce visibility in open country; treat farm lanes for refreeze.

Risk windows to watch

• Short, fast-moving disturbances across the northern tier and Great Lakes can create brief snow, gusty winds, and sharp temperature drops. Plan livestock protection and travel accordingly.
• Between systems, clear skies can set up radiational frosts across the Southeast, Delta river bottoms, and Central Valley orchards; schedule frost protection crews and verify equipment readiness.
• Western mountain snows are likely in multiple episodes; low-elevation rain in adjacent valleys can periodically restrict field access but contribute beneficial moisture.
• If Gulf moisture briefly returns mid to late period, the Southern Plains to Lower Mississippi Valley could see light showers—use the preceding dry hours for field access and fertilizer staging.

Management pointers for the week ahead

• Winter wheat: Confirm stand counts and crown health during midday thaws; avoid traffic during morning freeze or afternoon mud to limit heaving and compaction.
• Livestock: Stage windbreaks and bedding before breezy cold shots; check watering systems each morning for ice and flow.
• Grain storage: With frequent temperature swings, monitor headspace humidity and condensation; adjust aeration to keep grain temperatures stable.
• Specialty crops: Have frost mitigation plans ready on nights forecast clear and calm; prioritize sensitive blocks in known cold pockets.
• Erosion and drainage: Use drier interludes to maintain ditch lines and field entrances ahead of the next wetting event.

Confidence and how to use this outlook

Confidence is moderate for broad regional trends and lower for the exact timing and track of individual systems, especially east of the Rockies. Use this as a planning framework, then refine decisions with your local forecast, radar, and on-farm observations each morning and evening.