Note for readers: This report provides an agriculture-focused weather overview and planning guidance tailored to late-December conditions across major U.S. growing regions. It does not include live observations or model data. For localized, real-time details and any weather alerts, check your nearest National Weather Service office or state agricultural weather network.

National overview and context

Late December typically features frequent Pacific disturbances crossing the West, intermittent clippers sweeping the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest, and Gulf moisture episodically feeding rain across the South and East. Temperature swings around freezing drive freeze–thaw cycles in the Corn Belt, while fog and cold-pool setups can develop in California’s Central Valley. Mountain snowpack building in the West is critical for 2026 irrigation supplies.

Past 24 hours: what producers commonly contend with this time of year

Conditions vary locally, but the following are typical late-December, 24-hour developments that affect fieldwork, livestock, and logistics. Use these as a checklist against your on-farm observations and state mesonet data:

Midwest Corn Belt (IA, IL, IN, OH, MO, eastern NE/KS, southern WI/MI/MN)

  • Freeze–thaw cycles leading to soft topsoil in the afternoon and re-freeze overnight; ruts if traffic occurs during the soft window.
  • Light wintry precipitation or flurries possible near lakes and along weak boundaries; slick spots on untreated rural roads.
  • Wind chills near or below freezing impacting livestock waterers and late-season equipment maintenance.

Northern Plains and Upper Midwest (ND, SD, northern MN/WI/MI, MT wheat areas)

  • Periods of light snow or blowing snow are common with clipper passages; visibility reductions on exposed roads.
  • Cold mornings; check livestock bedding, water supply icing, and fuel gelling precautions.

Central and Southern Plains (KS, OK, TX Panhandle, eastern CO, western NE)

  • Generally dry and breezy episodes can increase evaporative demand on exposed winter wheat; monitor soil crusting following prior moisture.
  • Downslope winds possible along the High Plains; secure light infrastructure and check center-pivot alignment.

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

  • Intermittent showers are common; brief ponding in poorly drained fields and muddy lot conditions after rainfall.
  • Cool, humid mornings favor dew and foliar wetness; scout winter cover crops for disease pressure.

Southeast (AL, GA, FL, the Carolinas, southern VA)

  • Patchy inland frost on clear nights; protect tender horticultural crops and nurseries.
  • Coastal showers and isolated thunderstorms possible; watch short-term rainfall impacts on vegetable harvest windows.

California and Desert Southwest (Central Valley, coastal CA, AZ vegetable districts, Imperial/Yuma)

  • Central Valley tule fog risks during calm nights; slow early-day harvest and transport operations accordingly.
  • Cool nights in desert districts requiring frost protection and careful irrigation scheduling to manage salts.

Pacific Northwest (WA, OR, ID) and Intermountain West

  • Frequent valley rain/mountain snow episodes; travel delays for commodities crossing mountain passes.
  • Chilly mornings in interior basins; monitor stored potatoes and apples for temperature stability.

Northeast (NY, PA, New England, mid-Atlantic specialty crops)

  • Lake-effect or coastal light precipitation possible; wet roads and slick spots in higher terrain.
  • Freeze–thaw stress on overwintering perennials; maintain mulch and windbreaks in vineyards and orchards.

Seven-day agriculture forecast and planning guidance

The following outlook reflects common late-December patterns. Use it to plan field access, livestock care, harvest/transport logistics, and input applications, then refine with your local forecast.

West: Pacific Northwest, California, Great Basin, Rockies

  • Precipitation: Multiple waves likely to bring recurring valley rain and mountain snow, especially to the Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies. California sees periods of dense fog in the Central Valley on calm days; low-end rain chances increase if a stronger Pacific wave arrives late week.
  • Snowpack: Favorable accumulation in Cascades, Sierra, and northern/central Rockies. Expect travel restrictions on higher passes during and shortly after events.
  • Temperatures: Seasonably cool. Cold-pool risk in interior valleys; day-to-day swings with frontal passages.
  • Field impacts: Limited orchard floor access during wet spells; maintain erosion controls on sloped perennial blocks. Plan spray windows for dormant oils and postharvest fungicides during dry, light-wind periods.

Southwest desert districts (AZ, southeast CA, NM border)

  • Precipitation: Predominantly dry; a stray shower possible if a cutoff skirts the region, but widespread rain is unlikely.
  • Temperatures: Cool nights with recurring frost potential in cold pockets; mild afternoons.
  • Field impacts: Continue frost mitigation for leafy greens and melons. Schedule irrigations to avoid late-evening leaf wetness on brassicas and lettuce.

Northern Plains and Upper Midwest

  • Precipitation: One or two weak clipper-type systems likely, favoring light snow and occasional blowing/drifting. Accumulations generally light but locally moderate in bands and lake-effect zones.
  • Temperatures: Near to below normal; wind chills periodically harsh. Overnight lows frequently below freezing; several subzero mornings possible in the coldest areas.
  • Field impacts: Good freeze-down for overwintering, but exposed livestock face cold stress; ensure windbreaks and redundant water heating.

Central and Southern Plains (winter wheat belt)

  • Precipitation: Limited for western zones; slightly better chances farther east with a passing front mid- to late week delivering light rain/snow mix.
  • Temperatures: Wide diurnal swings; a couple of breezy, downslope-warm days followed by colder post-frontal periods.
  • Field impacts: Western drought-prone areas: monitor for wind erosion on bare or thin wheat stands. Eastern belt: brief mud risk after any light precipitation.

Midwest Corn Belt

  • Precipitation: Two windows: a weaker early-week disturbance with spotty light snow/flurries, and a broader system later in the week that could bring a rain/snow gradient (rain south, wintry mix/snow north). Exact track determines amounts.
  • Temperatures: Near seasonal with freeze–thaw cycles common; a colder push follows any late-week system.
  • Field impacts: Short afternoon windows for yard work and equipment moves on drier days; minimize rutting risk. Post-harvest manure applications face runoff potential where soils are saturated or frozen-atop-thawed profiles develop.

Delta and Mid-South

  • Precipitation: Periodic Gulf-fed showers; one broader rain episode mid- to late week. Weekly totals often reach beneficial 0.5–2 inches in December setups, with locally higher along the central Gulf Coast if a slow mover develops.
  • Temperatures: Cool to mild; limited frost risk outside interior northern zones on clear nights.
  • Field impacts: Expect soft soils and muddy lots after rain. Plan grain movements around drier breaks; maintain drainage on flat, heavy-texture fields.

Southeast

  • Precipitation: Unsettled periods with coastal showers and occasional inland bands. A stronger frontal passage late week could concentrate rain along a Gulf-to-Atlantic corridor.
  • Temperatures: Near to slightly above normal daytime highs; inland frost possible on clear, calm nights behind fronts.
  • Field impacts: Vegetable harvests: use early-day dew/fog drying windows. Citrus and nurseries: prepare for one or more radiational frost nights with covers and microsprinklers.

Northeast

  • Precipitation: Light events interspersed with a potential stronger coastal or inland-tracking system late week; rain south/coast, wintry mix/snow interior and higher terrain. Lake-effect episodes between systems.
  • Temperatures: Near seasonal; colder behind fronts with nighttime refreeze.
  • Field impacts: Orchard and vineyard blocks: maintain rodent guards and trunk wraps; avoid traffic on thawing ground to reduce compaction.

Risk watchlist for the week ahead

  • Freeze/frost: Nightly risk north of roughly I-70; inland Southeast frost on clear nights; patchy freezes in desert valleys. Protect tender crops and maintain irrigation frost strategies.
  • Wind: Clipper passages and High Plains downslope can produce 25–40 mph gusts; secure poly, row covers, and light infrastructure.
  • Heavy mountain snow: Cascades/Sierra/Rockies travel disruptions; plan livestock feed and fuel deliveries with pass closures in mind.
  • Flooding: Low overall probability, but urban/poor-drainage ponding possible in the South and along the immediate coasts during heavier showers.
  • Field disease pressure: Cool, humid spells elevate foliar wetness in winter vegetables and small grains; prioritize fungicide applications in forecast dry/warm windows.
  • Wildfire/erosion (localized): Breezy, dry periods on the High Plains may stress thin winter wheat stands and bare soils; maintain residue cover and windbreaks.

Actionable planning checklist

  • Schedule hauling and input deliveries around early-week and late-week dry windows; anticipate slower travel over mountain passes.
  • Inspect and test backup power and stock tank heaters ahead of colder, breezy days in the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest.
  • In the Central/Southern Plains, scout wheat stands after windy days for sandblasting or desiccation; adjust grazing pressure accordingly.
  • In California’s Central Valley, plan orchard/vineyard operations to avoid peak fog hours; use daytime mixing for spray coverage.
  • For Southeast citrus and specialty crops, stage frost cloths and verify micro-sprinkler functionality before clear, calm nights.
  • Time manure and fertilizer applications to precede multi-day dry stretches; avoid application on saturated or frozen-then-thawing soils to reduce runoff risk.

For precise local timing, amounts, and any watches or warnings, consult your local National Weather Service office, state climatologist, or agricultural weather network before making operational decisions.