National Overview

Cold-season storm tracks and short days are steering typical late-December conditions across U.S. farm country: intermittent Pacific systems moving into the West; occasional cross-Rockies lows that regroup on the Plains; and pulses of colder, drier air pushing into the Midwest and East behind each front. Gulf moisture favors periodic showers along the Southern tier, while higher elevations in the West and the Northern tier lean wintry. Daylength is at its minimum, so evapotranspiration is low and drying between rain or snow events is slow.

This briefing provides a national-scale agricultural weather overview and a planning outlook for the next week. For precise, local details in your county, check your National Weather Service office or trusted local forecast.

Recent Pattern Snapshot (Past 24 Hours)

Across many key production regions, conditions the past day reflected seasonable late-December variability:

  • Pacific Northwest and Northern California: Periods of rain at lower elevations and snow in the Cascades and northern Sierra maintained soggy fields and limited outdoor fieldwork windows. Breezy intervals near the coast added stress for exposed infrastructure.
  • Central and Southern California: A cooler, stable pattern favored localized valley fog, reducing morning visibility for trucking and harvest logistics, with chilly nights in interior valleys.
  • Southwest (AZ/NM): Generally dry with cool mornings; higher terrain held on to pockets of snow cover. Irrigated winter vegetables continued under favorable daytime work conditions with cold-sensitive crops protected at night.
  • Northern Plains (MT/ND/SD): Widespread cold with light snow or flurries in spots, and wind chills that increased livestock energy needs. Snow cover variability influenced winter wheat insulation.
  • Central/Southern Plains (NE/KS/OK/TX Panhandle): A passing front promoted breezy, drier air with spotty light precip east; west stayed mostly dry. Winter wheat remained largely dormant, with freeze-thaw cycles affecting topsoil structure.
  • Midwest/Corn Belt: Cloudy, seasonably cold, and locally damp, with a mix of light rain/snow near the Great Lakes. Field drying remained slow; river logistics were minimally affected.
  • Delta and Midsouth: Patchy light rain and clouds kept soils moist to wet in places, limiting tillage windows but supporting topsoil moisture for winter wheat and cover crops.
  • Southeast: Scattered coastal showers contrasted with drier interiors. Radiational cooling inland prompted patchy frost pockets in rural lows; citrus and winter vegetables stayed on routine protection plans.
  • Northeast: A cool, unsettled regime brought light wintry mixes north and rain/snow transitions south, with occasional gusts hampering smaller craft marine operations and orchard work.

7-Day Planning Outlook and Agricultural Implications

Expect a “waves and windows” pattern typical for late December into early January: periodic West Coast systems feeding the national storm track, fronts sweeping the Plains and Midwest, and cooler, drier breaks behind each system. Exact timing and intensity vary locally; use the following as a planning framework.

West

  • Pacific Northwest: Multiple rain episodes and mountain snows keep soils saturated and streamflows elevated. Fieldwork: very limited, with brief 12–24 hour breaks between waves. Watch for wind-driven lodging in overwintering brassicas and tunnel stress on high tunnels.
  • California: Northern and coastal zones lean showery at times; Central Valley sees a mix of quiet stretches and patchy dense fog on calmer nights. Sierra snowpack additions continue. Field operations should target mid-day drying windows; plan around fog for harvest/haul logistics.
  • Southwest: Mostly dry, cool mornings. Protected cropping remains favorable; monitor for brief radiational frost in cold-prone valleys. Rangeland water demand remains low, but livestock require windbreaks during occasional breezy post-frontal periods.

Plains

  • Northern Plains: Periodic light snow or flurries with reinforcing cold shots. Livestock: continue cold-stress mitigation; ensure unfrozen water access. Winter wheat benefits from consistent snow cover where present; exposed stands are vulnerable to desiccation on windy days.
  • Central/Southern Plains: Fronts every few days bring breezy, dry air and limited moisture overall west, with better chances for light to moderate precipitation east. Winter wheat remains largely dormant; scout for heaving in fields with repeated freeze-thaw.

Midwest/Corn Belt

  • Expect alternating unsettled periods and cooler, drier interludes. Light to moderate precipitation chances increase near the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley with each passing wave.
  • Field drying will be slow; plan indoor maintenance and grain handling during damp stretches. Watch for slick rural roads when mixed precip develops.

Delta and Midsouth

  • Intermittent shower chances most days, favoring modest soil moisture recharge but constraining field prep. River levels remain generally manageable; localized ponding possible in heavier showers.
  • Winter wheat and cover crops benefit from moisture; monitor for foliar disease where cloudiness and leaf wetness persist.

Southeast

  • Periodic Gulf and Atlantic moisture supports scattered showers, with calmer, cooler nights in between. Patchy frost remains possible during clear, calm mornings inland.
  • Citrus and winter vegetables: continue standard cold-protection on the coldest nights, especially in low-lying groves; ensure irrigation frost-defense is ready when dew points support it.

Northeast

  • Mixed precipitation episodes interspersed with colder, blustery breaks. Lake-effect or lake-enhanced snow possible in favored belts after frontal passages.
  • Apple and small-fruit operations: monitor for freeze-thaw stress on trellising and irrigation lines; maintain snow management for orchard access safety.

Risk Monitors and Actionable Thresholds

  • Freeze and Frost: Inland Southeast and parts of the Southwest valleys may see occasional frost. For citrus, two to four hours between 24–28°F threaten sensitive varieties; deploy micro-sprinklers or wind machines where feasible.
  • Livestock Cold Stress: Northern Plains and Upper Midwest wind chills can push energy requirements higher; increase forage availability and windbreak access. Check waterers daily to prevent freeze-ups.
  • Soil Trafficability: West Coast rains and Midwest mixed precip reduce bearing strength. Use controlled traffic lanes and delay heavy passes until surface recovery; consider duals or tracks for essential operations.
  • High Winds: Coastal Pacific Northwest and frontal passages in the Plains/Midwest may bring gusts capable of stressing greenhouses and poultry houses. Inspect anchoring and roll-up sides; secure tarps and irrigation line layflats.
  • Fog and Transport: California Central Valley and portions of the Southeast may experience dense morning fog on calm nights. Adjust harvest and hauling schedules to midday where possible.
  • Disease Pressure: Prolonged leaf wetness in the Delta/Southeast elevates risk for winter wheat foliar diseases; align fungicide decisions with verified local forecasts and scouting.

Crop- and Sector-Specific Notes

  • Winter Wheat: Dormancy is generally stable; snow cover where present protects crowns. In exposed fields with frequent freeze-thaw, scout for heaving and desiccation, especially on south- and west-facing slopes.
  • Corn/Soybean (stored grain): Cool, humid spells heighten condensation risk in bins. Run aeration fans during the coolest, driest hours; check cables for hotspots and crusting.
  • Specialty Crops (Citrus/Vegetables/Leafy Greens): Keep row covers, irrigation frost-defense, and heaters staged for the coldest nights. Post-frontal winds can increase evapotranspiration despite low sun angles—monitor soil moisture under covers.
  • Vineyards/Orchards: Late-December pruning windows remain short in wet regions; prioritize structural work on dry days. Protect young plantings from rodent damage where snow cover persists.
  • Rangeland and Forage: Cold, breezy conditions reduce effective forage availability. Provide sheltered feeding areas and monitor water points following freezes.

Regional Quick-Glance Planning Guide (Next 7 Days)

  • West Coast: Expect multiple wet episodes north, mixed quiet and foggy stretches central/south. Fieldwork: opportunistic, between systems.
  • Southwest: Mostly dry; manage frost pockets in valleys on clear nights.
  • Northern Plains: Cold shots with light snow at times; prioritize livestock protection and water access.
  • Central/Southern Plains: Breezy fronts every few days; limited precip west, better chances east. Scout wheat after freeze-thaw cycles.
  • Midwest/Corn Belt: On-and-off light precip with slow drying. Plan indoor maintenance on damp days.
  • Delta/Midsouth: Intermittent showers sustain soil moisture; watch for ponding and foliar disease pressure.
  • Southeast: Showers at times with occasional frost inland on calm nights; continue protection for sensitive crops.
  • Northeast: Mixed precip episodes and blustery breaks; localized lake-effect snow downwind of the lakes.

What to Do This Week

  • Finalize cold-protection plans for specialty crops; test equipment on a non-critical night.
  • Schedule grain aeration during drier, cooler windows; document bin temperatures.
  • Walk winter wheat fields after each thaw for heaving or waterlogging; adjust drainage where feasible.
  • Inspect livestock windbreaks, bedding, and water supply daily during cold snaps.
  • Stage road safety plans for fog-prone mornings; shift hauling to midday when visibility improves.
  • Confirm greenhouse and high-tunnel anchoring ahead of expected gusts; have backup power plans ready.