Note for readers: This national agricultural weather article is written without access to live observation feeds. Where “past 24 hours” conditions are discussed, they are framed conservatively and regionally to avoid overstatement. For field-by-field verification and exact local 7-day forecasts, consult your local National Weather Service office or state ag-weather network.

What producers should know at a glance

  • Cold mornings and patchy frost remain a recurring risk in interior valleys and the northern half of the country; protect sensitive winter vegetables, nursery stock, and citrus where applicable.
  • Moisture recharge continues to be the priority for winter wheat, rangeland, and overwintering perennials; expect intermittent precipitation opportunities across the West and portions of the northern/central U.S., with drier stretches more likely across parts of the Southern Plains and Southwest.
  • Where soils are saturated, brief breaks will aid surface drying, but repeated light events can keep topsoil tacky; plan tillage and manure applications accordingly.
  • Livestock operations should prepare for wind-driven chill in the northern tier and higher terrain during frontal passages; maintain dry bedding and windbreaks to limit stress.

Past 24 hours: Regional agricultural weather context

Across the United States’ key farm and ranch regions over the last day, conditions were broadly consistent with mid-December patterns: seasonable to cold air in the North, milder but humid pockets along the Gulf and Southeast, and episodic Pacific-driven precipitation in the West. The following regional notes highlight what many producers may have encountered or should check for in fields and facilities.

Pacific Northwest (WA, OR, ID)

  • Scattered showers and mountain snow were possible, keeping soils damp to wet in lowlands and building snowpack in higher basins.
  • Morning fog in valleys likely slowed drying; orchard and hop yard activities may have faced slippery rows.

California and the Central Valley

  • Interior valley fog and cold dawn temperatures likely produced localized frost; irrigation districts should check for icing at turnouts.
  • Coastal zones had a better chance of passing light showers depending on localized marine influence; most production fields focused on winter vegetables faced cool, slow growth rates.

Southwest Deserts (AZ, NM) and Four Corners

  • Predominantly dry conditions favored field access for winter vegetables and forage harvest where active, with chilly morning starts.
  • Higher terrain could have seen light wintry precip; rangeland water availability remains a monitoring point.

Northern Rockies and High Plains (MT, WY, western ND/SD)

  • Light snow or flurries were possible with cold air; livestock cold stress elevated at times with breeze.
  • Winter wheat remained dormant; snow cover, where present, offered protection from desiccating winds.

Northern/Central Plains (NE, KS, eastern Dakotas)

  • Dry to spotty light precip in bands; surface conditions generally firm to seasonally tacky.
  • Morning frost and subfreezing starts common; check rural waterers for icing and maintain windbreaks.

Southern Plains (OK, TX Panhandle and north-central TX)

  • Most areas leaned drier; winter wheat stands benefitted from any recent moisture but continue to need periodic recharge.
  • Cool mornings with large diurnal swings; calm nights favored frost in low-lying fields.

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

  • Patchy fog and damp morning conditions were possible; any passing showers would have been light and brief.
  • Fieldwork windows existed between dews and fog, but drying remained slow under short days and low sun angle.

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

  • Northern tier faced light snow, flurries, or chilly drizzle in spots; central and southern sections skewed dry but cold.
  • Residue management and tile work confined to firmer, better-drained fields.

Southeast (AL, GA, FL, Carolinas)

  • Areas of morning fog and scattered light showers possible, mainly near the coast; interior frost risk for sensitive crops.
  • Vegetable producers monitored leaf wetness periods; citrus growers watched for cold pockets inland.

Mid-Atlantic and Northeast

  • Seasonably cold with pockets of light rain or mixed precipitation depending on elevation and timing; urban-suburban gradients influenced icing risk on untreated surfaces.
  • Vineyards and orchards largely dormant; soil temperatures supported stable overwintering conditions.

Forecast: Next 7 days (national pattern and farm impacts)

Guidance for the upcoming week highlights an active, but not uniformly stormy, pattern. The northern tier and western mountains are favored for periodic disturbances, while the Southern Plains and Southwest see longer dry breaks. The Gulf and Southeast carry intermittent shower chances, with the East toggling between brief warm-ups and reinforcing cool shots.

Days 1–3

  • West: Successive Pacific impulses favor on-and-off precipitation in the Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies. Impacts: slow field drying, periodic road closures in mountain passes, useful moisture recharge; valleys may see repeated fog formation.
  • Plains: Fast-moving fronts bring temperature swings. North-central areas risk light snow or mixed precip; central/southern areas trend drier. Impacts: short, cold snaps for livestock; wheat benefits from moisture where any bands pass.
  • Midwest/Great Lakes: Intermittent light precipitation, mainly northern sections; southern sections largely dry and cold mornings. Impacts: limited fieldwork windows; watch for black ice on rural roads at daybreak.
  • South/Gulf Coast: Spotty showers, mainly near/along the coast and lower Mississippi Valley. Impacts: modest topsoil moisture maintenance; disease pressure elevated briefly after wetting events.
  • East Coast: A weak system or two brings light precip episodes; interior valleys face frost where skies clear overnight. Impacts: minor travel nuisances; overwintering cover crops continue establishment.

Days 4–7

  • West: Another round of Pacific moisture is likely to target the Northwest and northern Rockies, with California trending spottier outside of favored coastal and mountain zones. Impacts: continuing snowpack build in higher terrain; orchard and vineyard floor management remains difficult when soils stay wet.
  • Northern Tier: Clipper-type disturbances remain possible, producing light snow and periodic gusts. Impacts: recurring livestock cold stress; limited but steady soil moisture inputs.
  • Central Plains to Midwest: Temperatures oscillate around seasonal norms with one or two frontal passages; precipitation chances modest. Impacts: some drying windows between systems; winter wheat largely stable.
  • Southern Plains and Southwest: Longer dry stretches favored. Impacts: good access for maintenance and feed delivery; monitor rangeland water and fine-fuel dryness on windy afternoons.
  • Gulf Coast and Southeast: Intermittent shower chances continue, especially near the coast and peninsular Florida. Impacts: short-lived spikes in leaf wetness and disease pressure in vegetables; interior frost remains a recurring concern.
  • Mid-Atlantic/Northeast: Mixed light events remain possible, with colder air returning behind each frontal passage. Impacts: minimal runoff but localized slick spots; dormancy conditions hold for perennials.

Risk and confidence

  • Precipitation: Highest likelihood of meaningful totals in the Pacific Northwest/northern Rockies; lower, more episodic chances elsewhere. Confidence: moderate West, low-to-moderate Central/East.
  • Temperature: Repeated cold mornings across the North and interior valleys nationwide; brief moderation ahead of fronts in the East and South. Confidence: moderate.
  • Wind: Periodic breezy conditions with frontal passages, strongest in typical gap-wind and plains corridors. Confidence: moderate.

Regional 7-day outlook: What it means for operations

Pacific Northwest

  • Expect recurring showers and mountain snow. Plan orchard/vineyard tasks for the shorter, drier breaks; use gravel and fabric in high-traffic rows to limit rutting.
  • Watch for saturated topsoil and drainage backups; maintain silt fencing near waterways.

California (North/Central Valley, Central Coast)

  • Intermittent light precip more likely north and along windward slopes; inland valleys often dry but foggy with frost potential.
  • Use row covers for sensitive vegetables; schedule harvests mid-afternoon when dew has burned off.

Southwest Deserts

  • Mostly dry with cool mornings. Maintain irrigation for winter vegetables; monitor for tip burn during cold, dry winds.
  • Rangeland: check stock tanks and pipeline integrity following freezes.

Northern Rockies/High Plains

  • Light, frequent snows likely in higher terrain; plains see occasional flurries and cold shots.
  • Provide wind shelter and high-energy feed for livestock during cold, breezy periods.

Northern/Central Plains

  • Limited precipitation; temperature whiplash with frontal passages.
  • Field maintenance and equipment service favored during dry, calmer days; monitor wheat for heaving risk where freeze-thaw cycles are active.

Southern Plains

  • Drier pattern dominates. Good windows for pasture management and fence work.
  • Wheat: evaluate stands for uniform emergence; light irrigation or rainfall, when available, will support tillering.

Delta/Mid-South

  • Periodic coastal-fed showers possible but many hours remain usable for off-season fieldwork.
  • Limit soil compaction by avoiding operations during and immediately after wetting events.

Corn Belt/Upper Midwest

  • Light precipitation episodes, mainly north; otherwise cold, dry windows.
  • Tile and drainage projects can proceed in better-drained fields; maintain ice mitigation on farm lanes.

Southeast

  • Intermittent showers near the Gulf/Atlantic coasts; interior frost on clear nights.
  • Vegetables and citrus: deploy frost protection in low-lying blocks; monitor leaf wetness duration for disease management.

Mid-Atlantic/Northeast

  • Several weak systems with light precipitation; colder behind each passage.
  • Perennial fruit: chill hour accumulation continues; keep orchard floors and access roads navigable.

Operational checklist for the week

  • Frost/Freeze: Map cold pockets and stage covers or microsprinklers in susceptible blocks.
  • Livestock: Refresh bedding ahead of cold, breezy days; verify tank heaters and de-icers.
  • Drainage: Clear inlets/outlets before the next round of showers in the West and along the Gulf.
  • Equipment: Use dry, calm periods for maintenance; avoid compaction during short wet spells.
  • Worker Safety: Plan harvest and handling for midday to reduce slip hazards from dew/fog.

For precise local observations from the last 24 hours and an exact 7-day forecast by field or county, use your state mesonet or visit weather.gov and enter your location.