Note for readers: This is a national agricultural weather briefing designed for planning. Local conditions can vary significantly over short distances and time. Always consult your local National Weather Service office or extension service for site-specific alerts, observed conditions, and hour-by-hour forecasts before making operational decisions.

Past 24 Hours: What Producers Experienced by Region

Northern Plains and Upper Midwest (MT, ND, SD, MN, WI)

Winter conditions have dominated. Many areas dealt with subfreezing temperatures, occasional light snow or flurries, and brisk winds producing low wind chills, particularly in open country. Snow cover where present is insulating winter wheat crowns and perennials but can hinder livestock access and chore logistics. Blowing snow was a periodic visibility issue on exposed roadways.

Corn Belt (IA, NE, MO, IL, IN, OH, southern MN/WI)

Seasonably cold, late-fall to early-winter pattern. Scattered light wintry precipitation and overcast skies limited drying. Field access remains spotty where soils are unfrozen and damp, while frozen topsoil offered firmer footing in northern zones. Residue management and manure applications faced narrow windows.

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

Chilly air and periodic north to northwest breezes dominated, with largely dry weather. The dryness aided feedlot pen conditions but maintained moisture stress pockets on exposed wheat stands lacking snow cover. Fire-weather concerns were locally elevated on the High Plains where humidity dropped and winds picked up.

Delta and Lower Mississippi Valley (AR, LA, MS, western TN)

Clouds and spotty showers left soils damp in places, especially poorly drained fields and low spots. Cool, humid conditions favored small grains establishment where not overly saturated. River levels and backwater areas remained a consideration for logistics, though widespread flooding was not a dominant theme.

Southeast (AL, GA, the Carolinas, north FL)

Intermittent light showers and patchy morning fog affected harvest and fieldwork windows. Cool nights and mild afternoons persisted for small grains, forage growth, and livestock. Disease pressure on winter vegetables and strawberries stayed elevated under damp microclimates.

Florida Peninsula

Generally mild with localized showers. Citrus and winter vegetables benefited from adequate warmth; scattered fog and high humidity required continued scouting for fungal disease.

Mid-Atlantic and Northeast (PA, NY, New England, NJ, MD, VA)

Mixed precipitation types (rain at lower elevations, wet snow in colder pockets and higher terrain) created slushy travel and muddy lots in places. Dairy operations contended with damp chill and ventilation needs; maple operations in colder microclimates noted early-season freeze–thaw hints without sustained runs.

Pacific Northwest (WA, OR, ID)

Frequent coastal rain and mountain snow with short breaks. Valley floors were cool and wet; rangelands saw periods of cold rain. Mountain snowpack built further, improving water outlooks. Fieldwork was frequently interrupted by showers and saturated topsoils.

California Central Valley and Coastal Growing Regions

Cool, stable conditions with episodes of dense tule fog in the valley. Overnight inversions fostered pockets of frost or near-frost in colder fields, prompting protection for citrus, tree nuts, and leafy greens. Sierra snow accumulation continued to support water supply prospects.

Southwest Deserts (AZ, southeast CA, NM valleys)

Dry with large day–night temperature swings. Radiational cooling produced localized frost in traditional cold pockets. Irrigation scheduling remained the main management lever with low humidity and clear skies.

Seven-Day Outlook: National Pattern and Agricultural Implications

Big-Picture Setup

• An active Pacific jet stream sends multiple disturbances into the Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies, keeping those regions unsettled.
• Downstream, one or more systems progress across the central U.S., bringing a swath of rain to the southern tier and mixed wintry precipitation to the northern tier and Great Lakes.
• Behind each front, a shot of colder, drier air follows for the Plains and East before moderation returns from west to east late in the period.

Temperatures

• North: Generally near to below seasonal norms at times, with notable wind chills during post-frontal periods in the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest.
• South: Near to slightly above seasonal norms on several days, especially prior to frontal passages across the Southern Plains, Delta, and Southeast.
• West: Cool along the coast and mild in interior deserts; frosty nights likely in Central Valley cold spots on clear, calm mornings.

Precipitation

• Wettest zone: Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies with repeated rain at lower elevations and accumulating mountain snow.
• Central swath: One or two systems bring rain to the central/southern Plains, lower/mid-Mississippi Valley, and Ohio/Tennessee Valleys; a wintry mix or snow is possible on the cold side across the Northern Plains, Upper Midwest, and Great Lakes.
• East: Rain chances rise with frontal passages; brief lake-effect snow windows follow in the upper Great Lakes and interior Northeast during colder advection.
• Dry bias: Interior Southwest and parts of southern California likely remain mostly dry.

Hazards and Field Impacts to Watch

• Freeze/Frost:
  • California Central Valley: Continued risk of radiational frost on clear, calm nights; protect citrus and sensitive leafy greens.
  • Southwest Deserts: Localized frost in known cold pockets during clear nights.
  • Interior Southeast: A few mornings may dip to frost thresholds behind a front, particularly in rural lows and sheltered fields.
• Snow and Ice:
  • Northern Plains to Upper Midwest and Great Lakes: Periodic light to moderate snow and slick travel near system tracks; lake-effect bands possible after frontal passages.
  • Northeast high terrain: Occasional mixed precipitation; slushy accumulations in colder elevations.
• Wind:
  • Central and Northern Plains: Gusty post-frontal winds could stress livestock and cause blowing snow where a fresh cover exists.
  • Coastal Northwest: Occasional blustery periods near frontal landfalls.
• Excess Moisture:
  • Delta and Ohio/Tennessee Valleys: Intervals of rain may sustain muddy feedlots and restrict field traffic where drainage is poor.
  • Pacific Northwest: Saturated soils raise localized landslide risk on steep terrain and delay field access.
• Fire Weather:
  • High Plains and parts of West Texas/New Mexico: Elevated risk on dry, breezy, low-humidity days before frontal passages.

Regional Outlook and Management Notes (Next 7 Days)

Northern Plains and Upper Midwest

• Several cold shots with intermittent light snow; a more organized system may bring broader wintry precipitation mid-period. Confidence: moderate.
• Livestock: Prepare for wind chills; ensure windbreaks and ample unfrozen water access.
• Winter wheat: Snow cover remains a net positive for crown insulation; monitor for desiccation on exposed, snow-free fields during windy spells.

Corn Belt

• Showers or light wintry precipitation at times as systems pass; brief thaw–refreeze cycles will influence field footing. Confidence: moderate.
• Manure management: Target short, cooler/drier windows to minimize rutting and nutrient loss; avoid saturated soils ahead of rain/snow.

Central and Southern Plains

• Pre-frontal mild periods followed by cooler, breezier air; at least one rain chance for the southern tier, lighter north with some mixed precip fringes. Confidence: moderate.
• Winter wheat: Moisture events, where realized, will aid establishment; dry pockets in western zones will persist otherwise—consider grazing adjustments.
• Rangeland and feedlots: Plan for wind management and pen drainage ahead of wetter episodes.

Delta and Lower Mississippi Valley

• Several rain opportunities sustain soil moisture but limit field operations. Confidence: moderate.
• Forages/small grains: Generally favorable moisture; monitor for waterlogging in low-lying fields.

Southeast and Florida

• Intermittent showers with a cooler, drier break behind a front, then a warmup. Confidence: moderate.
• Specialty crops: Maintain fungicide schedules in humid stretches; be prepared for radiational frost protection in colder inland pockets on clear nights post-front.

Mid-Atlantic and Northeast

• Rain/snow mix episodes with colder, breezy intervals in between; lake-effect potential downwind of the Great Lakes. Confidence: moderate.
• Dairy: Manage barn humidity and ventilation through damp chills; maintain secure footing in icy or slushy lots.

Pacific Northwest

• Repeated systems bring valley rain and mountain snow; short, cool breaks between fronts. Confidence: high.
• Fieldwork: Expect intermittent delays; drainage and surface protection are priorities to avoid compaction.
• Water supply: Ongoing mountain snowpack gains are favorable for late-winter allocations.

California (Central Valley and Coastal)

• Cool, generally dry intervals inland with night/morning fog; periodic light precipitation possible mainly north. Confidence: moderate.
• Frost: High vigilance for cold-pocket orchards and citrus blocks; maintain wind machines and irrigation-based protections as needed on clear, calm nights.

Southwest Deserts

• Predominantly dry with large diurnal swings; occasional breezy days. Confidence: high.
• Vegetables and leafy greens: Monitor for tip burn and irrigation uniformity under low humidity; frost cloths for known cold spots.

Actionable Planning Checklist

• Livestock cold stress: Stage windbreaks, bedding, and reliable water de-icing ahead of post-frontal cold snaps in the Plains and Upper Midwest.
• Winter wheat and small grains: Scout for heaving and desiccation on exposed ridges; adjust grazing pressure on stressed wheat in the Southern Plains.
• Field access: Use freeze-thaw windows to minimize compaction; avoid heavy traffic preceding expected precipitation.
• Frost protection: Central Valley (CA), interior Southeast, and Southwest deserts should pre-check frost mitigation equipment for clear-night events.
• Disease management: Maintain protective fungicide intervals for Florida/Southeast specialty crops during humid stretches; sanitize equipment to reduce spread.
• Fire weather: In the High Plains and western Texas/New Mexico, avoid hot work on dry, windy days; keep suppression tools ready.

For local alerts, observed totals, and hourly forecasts, consult weather.gov or your state’s extension service. Agricultural decisions should always be based on site-specific forecasts and field conditions.