Editor’s note for readers: This agricultural weather brief does not include verified real-time observations. For live conditions and localized forecasts, consult your local National Weather Service office (weather.gov) or trusted state Mesonet resources.

National overview for U.S. agriculture

Mid-December typically brings a fast, progressive jet stream, intermittent storm systems moving from the Pacific into the Plains and Midwest, and periodic cold fronts pressing to the Gulf Coast and Southeast. For agriculture, the focus shifts to winter wheat condition and dormancy, soil moisture recharge, snowpack development in the West, late-season harvest wrap-up in parts of the Corn Belt and Delta, livestock cold stress on the Plains and Upper Midwest, and freeze risk for Southeastern specialty crops and California citrus.

Regional snapshot: key considerations from the past 24 hours

Pacific Northwest and Northern Rockies

  • Mountain snow continues to be the key driver for water supply; any recent rounds support early snowpack building, which benefits spring irrigation outlooks.
  • Valley rain and breezy conditions can slow late orchard tasks and create muddy feedlot conditions at lower elevations.

California Central Valley and Coastal districts

  • Short windows of fog, low ceilings, or light showers are seasonally common and can hamper spraying, pruning, or post-harvest fieldwork.
  • Overnight inversions increase frost risk in pockets of citrus and winter vegetable production during clear, calm nights.

Desert Southwest (AZ/NM deserts, Imperial Valley)

  • Generally dry conditions favor winter vegetable harvests; isolated cold nights can prompt localized frost protection measures.
  • Wind episodes through passes can raise dust and stress leafy greens and young stands.

Northern Plains (MT/ND/SD)

  • Seasonal cold spells bring livestock stress and increase energy demand; any recent light snow improves soil insulation over dormant wheat.
  • Wind-driven chill and patchy drifting snow can affect transport and yarding.

Central and Southern High Plains (NE/KS/OK/TX Panhandle/CO)

  • Moisture remains pivotal for establishing and maintaining winter wheat; light precipitation events help, while dry, windy stretches elevate evaporative demand.
  • Freeze-hard conditions reduce disease pressure but can expose poorly established wheat if snow cover is limited.

Corn Belt and Upper Midwest

  • Patchy snow or light rain and frequent cloud cover are common now; recent dampness can stall any remaining fieldwork and keep soils near or above field capacity.
  • Cold shots boost soil freeze-up, improving trafficability in some fields but increasing livestock energy needs.

Central Plains to Mid-Mississippi Valley

  • Intermittent showers support soil moisture recharge; windy frontal passages can challenge exposed topsoil and residue management.
  • Short-duration freezes are routine; well-established wheat handles these events, but shallow-planted or late-emerged stands remain vulnerable.

Delta and Midsouth

  • Light to moderate rainfall episodes maintain post-harvest soil moisture; saturated pockets can develop where showers cluster.
  • Cool nights with patchy frost are seasonable; nursery stock and tender ornamentals benefit from cover.

Southeast (Gulf Coast to Carolinas)

  • Showery intervals are common along and ahead of fronts; brief heavy downpours can trigger localized runoff on recently worked ground.
  • Radiational cooling behind fronts occasionally dips temperatures into freeze territory inland, posing risk for winter vegetables and citrus fringes.

Northeast

  • Mixed precipitation is typical with passing systems; wet snow or freezing drizzle can affect rural roads and orchard maintenance schedules.
  • Cold surges assist with vine and orchard dormancy while increasing heating demand.

Planning outlook for the next 7 days

The following outlook is presented as practical planning guidance. For exact timing and amounts in your location, please refer to official forecasts.

Key national themes to watch

  • Storm track: Expect one or more storm systems to move from the Pacific into the Rockies and then across the central and eastern U.S. This pattern typically brings mountain snow in the West, mixed precipitation across the northern tier, and rain episodes from the southern Plains through the Ohio/Tennessee valleys to the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic.
  • Temperature swings: Behind each system, anticipate a push of colder, drier air; ahead of it, brief warmups. Short windows of hard freeze are likely inland across the South; wind chills will be notable across the northern and central Plains and Upper Midwest.
  • Wind: Frontal passages may bring periods of strong, gusty winds on the High Plains, in the Southwest’s usual wind corridors, and along the East Coast with stronger systems.

Region-by-region agricultural impacts

Pacific Northwest and Northern Rockies

  • Precipitation: Multiple rounds of mountain snow and valley rain likely. Snowpack building continues—positive for spring water resources.
  • Fieldwork: Limited in wet valleys; expect intermittent wind-driven delays.
  • Livestock: Prepare for cold, damp conditions and higher energy needs at higher elevations.

California (Central Valley, coastal, and foothill districts)

  • Precipitation: Light to moderate rain events possible, mainly with passing Pacific systems; fog risk remains on calmer nights.
  • Temperature: Overnight frost pockets possible, especially in citrus and winter vegetable zones during clear, calm nights.
  • Fieldwork: Plan around short, showery windows; watch soil compaction risk.

Desert Southwest

  • Precipitation: Generally limited; a weak disturbance could bring brief showers and wind.
  • Temperature: Cool nights with localized frost potential; protect sensitive vegetables where needed.
  • Wind: Periodic gusts may elevate dust and mechanically stress tender canopies.

Northern Plains

  • Precipitation: Light snow events possible; locally moderate with stronger systems.
  • Temperature: Repeated cold shots; monitor wind chills for livestock stress and ensure water supply reliability.
  • Operations: Blowing snow and icy travel could briefly disrupt hauling and feed logistics.

Central and Southern High Plains

  • Precipitation: Opportunities for light rain or snow with passing systems; moisture would aid winter wheat but coverage may be uneven.
  • Temperature: Freeze events likely on multiple nights; windy post-frontal periods increase evaporative demand.
  • Operations: Secure loose materials; consider wind erosion mitigation on bare or lightly covered fields.

Corn Belt and Upper Midwest

  • Precipitation: Mixed rain/snow with system passages; lake-effect snow possible downwind of the Great Lakes in colder air.
  • Temperature: Oscillating; mild ahead of fronts, colder behind. Soil freezing accelerates late-week with stronger cold shots.
  • Operations: Short, colder windows can improve field trafficability; otherwise expect soft, damp topsoils to limit heavy equipment.

Central Plains to Mid-Mississippi Valley

  • Precipitation: Rain and some wintry mix possible depending on storm track; beneficial for soil moisture but monitor for brief icing north of the rain/snow line.
  • Temperature: Freeze risks common; windy conditions likely behind fronts.
  • Operations: Time fertilizer, lime, or tillage around precipitation and wind; protect young wheat from abrasive blowing soil.

Delta and Midsouth

  • Precipitation: Periodic showers; locally heavy bands can develop with stronger Gulf inflow.
  • Temperature: Cool to seasonably mild; brief radiational freezes inland after frontal passage.
  • Operations: Expect intermittent field delays; monitor small grains for excess moisture stress in poorly drained fields.

Southeast (including Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Carolinas)

  • Precipitation: Several chances of showers and thunderstorms; locally heavy rain possible along fronts and sea-breeze intersections.
  • Temperature: Freeze risk inland on one or more post-frontal nights; citrus and winter vegetable areas should review protection plans.
  • Operations: Prepare for ponding in low-lying fields; schedule spray and harvest windows between rain episodes.

Northeast

  • Precipitation: Rain south and coastal, mix or snow inland and higher terrain with colder systems.
  • Temperature: Variable; colder shots promote dormancy in orchards and vineyards.
  • Operations: Icy conditions possible during transitions; plan orchard and vineyard work around wind and mixed precipitation.

Risk checklist for producers

  • Freeze protection: Have covers, wind machines, or irrigation strategies ready for inland Southeast and California frost pockets.
  • Livestock: Prepare windbreaks, dry bedding, and unfrozen water access across the Plains and Upper Midwest during the coldest periods.
  • Wind and erosion: Maintain residue and consider temporary barriers on exposed High Plains fields ahead of gusty post-frontal winds.
  • Soil compaction: Avoid heavy equipment on saturated fields in the Delta, lower Midwest, and coastal plains immediately after rains.
  • Icing and travel: Watch for brief icing in transition zones from the central Plains through the Midwest and Northeast.

Where to get your local details

For location-specific, real-time forecasts and hazard statements, visit the National Weather Service at weather.gov. Many states also provide high-resolution farm-focused data via Mesonet networks. Consider county Extension updates for crop-specific recommendations tied to upcoming weather windows.