Here is an agriculture-focused weather brief covering the main U.S. production regions. It provides a concise look-back on conditions commonly experienced in late December and a practical, region-by-region outlook for the next seven days, emphasizing field operations, livestock management, irrigation, and storage risks. Always check your local National Weather Service forecast and extension guidance before making operational decisions.
Nationwide Pattern at a Glance
- Past 24 hours: Seasonably cold conditions dominated the northern tier with areas of light snow and brisk winds in open country; the West saw passing Pacific disturbances favoring rain along windward coasts and mountain snow; the southern tier trended drier outside of intermittent Gulf-influenced showers; interior valleys in California favored overnight and morning fog.
- Next 7 days: Multiple weak-to-moderate Pacific-origin systems are likely to brush the West and northern tier, with periodic rain and mountain snow; the central U.S. looks variable with one to two fronts bringing temperature swings and scattered precipitation; the South and Southeast will see mixed dry spans and rain episodes as Gulf moisture pulses; late-week freeze risks persist for interior southern zones on clear nights.
- Key agricultural themes: Windowed field access in many winter-fallow or cover-cropped areas; improving Western snowpack where storms are more persistent; recurring wind-chill stress for exposed livestock across the Plains and Upper Midwest; continuing fog and dampness risks for nut and fruit storage and transport in California; frost risk for citrus/vegetables on the coldest desert and interior Southeast nights.
Midwest and Corn Belt
Past 24 hours
Seasonable to cold December conditions prevailed, with pockets of light snow or flurries in the Upper Midwest/Great Lakes and breezy conditions in open areas. Farther south and east, mostly dry to spotty light precipitation with chilly mornings.
7-day outlook
- Temperature: Variable, with one or two fronts bringing brief warm-ups followed by reinforcing cold. Expect frequent subfreezing nights in the north; freeze potential extends into the central/eastern Corn Belt during clear overnight periods.
- Precipitation: Light to locally moderate events, mainly light snow north and rain/snow mix near the transition zone. Heaviest totals favor the north and lake-effect belts; lighter amounts south.
- Field and storage notes: Frozen topsoil windows aid equipment movement in the north but reduce flexibility where thaw cycles lead to surface mud. Manage grain aeration for cold, damp inflow air; monitor bin condensation with temperature swings. Livestock: Provide windbreaks and dry bedding on breezy, subfreezing days.
Northern Plains (Dakotas, Montana, northern Nebraska)
Past 24 hours
Cold, periodically breezy, with scattered light snow and areas of blowing/drifting over exposed ground. Travel and lot conditions varied locally with light accumulations.
7-day outlook
- Temperature: Predominantly cold with intermittent moderating periods between fronts. Recurring wind chill concerns, especially for young or stressed livestock.
- Precipitation: Several opportunities for light snow; locally moderate in favored storm tracks and along upslope areas. Snowpack building slowly where events overlap.
- Operations: Maintain open water and wind protection for livestock; monitor diesel gelling and equipment batteries. Rangeland access may be intermittently limited by drifting in open counties.
Central and Southern Plains (Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas Panhandle, HRW belt)
Past 24 hours
Generally dry to spotty light precipitation with seasonable to cool temperatures. Breezy intervals across open rangeland.
7-day outlook
- Temperature: Fluctuating around seasonal with one to two fronts; freeze likely on clear nights across much of the region. Harder freezes in the High Plains.
- Precipitation: Limited overall, but a passing disturbance could bring light rain or a rain/snow mix mainly north and east portions. Western HRW remains on the dry side absent a stronger storm.
- Agronomic notes: Winter wheat benefits from cold hardening; dryness remains a watch item in western zones. Livestock: Wind chill stress during colder shots; ensure access to shelter and dry ground to limit energy loss.
Delta and Mid-South (Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, western Tennessee)
Past 24 hours
Mixed dry intervals and scattered light showers where Gulf moisture briefly intruded; otherwise cool and seasonable for late December.
7-day outlook
- Temperature: Mild days at times with cool nights; periodic brief cold snaps with patchy radiation frost inland under clear skies.
- Precipitation: Intermittent systems bring rounds of showers; locally moderate totals possible where lines train. Thunder marginal but not zero on the mildest days.
- Field and storage: Residual soil moisture stays adequate to high in wetter pockets; monitor for ponding in poorly drained low spots. Post-harvest storage should account for humidity spikes on damp days.
Southeast (AL, GA, Carolinas, FL production areas)
Past 24 hours
Patchy showers near Gulf and Atlantic influences; drier inland with cool mornings. Interior frost pockets where skies cleared overnight.
7-day outlook
- Temperature: Generally seasonable with a few mild days. Freeze/frost risk on clear, calm nights for inland areas; coastal zones milder.
- Precipitation: Periodic showers with one or two more organized rain events as fronts pass. Heaviest along the Gulf Coast and coastal Carolinas during onshore flow.
- Horticulture: Protect tender vegetables, strawberries, and citrus during the coldest nights; use row covers/irrigation strategies as needed. Disease pressure may tick up after wet spells—plan spray windows between showers.
Northeast and Mid-Atlantic
Past 24 hours
Chilly with scattered light snow north and higher terrain; rain or mixed precipitation in southern valleys; brisk near the coast at times.
7-day outlook
- Temperature: Near to below normal overall; brief thaws between systems, then refreeze at night.
- Precipitation: Light to locally moderate episodes, snow favored inland/north and rain/mix toward the coast. Lake-effect snow belts active behind frontal passages.
- Dairy and livestock: Maintain dry bedding and ventilation to avoid condensation. Monitor water lines for freezing during colder snaps.
California Central Valley and Coastal Agriculture
Past 24 hours
Intermittent light rain on passing systems near the coast and foothills; interior valleys experienced night and morning fog with damp, cool conditions.
7-day outlook
- Temperature: Cool days and cold nights; valley fog/low stratus frequent, with slow clearing and limited diurnal range.
- Precipitation: Periodic light to locally moderate rain events mainly tied to Pacific fronts; mountain snow aiding Sierra snowpack.
- Operations: Plan around tule fog for harvest movement and packing-house logistics. Nut and fruit storage: manage humidity and condensation; maintain airflow. Orchard and vineyard soils may stay tacky—limit compaction by reducing heavy passes after rain.
Pacific Northwest (WA, OR, ID)
Past 24 hours
Frequent showers west of the Cascades with mountain snow; colder east of the mountains with light snow in spots and brisk winds in gaps.
7-day outlook
- Temperature: Cool to cold, with maritime moderation west and sharper cold east. Subfreezing nights common inland.
- Precipitation: Multiple waves with rain west and accumulating snow in the Cascades and northern Rockies; occasional valley mix east.
- Ag impacts: Improving snowpack supports long-term irrigation; watch river rises after consecutive wet days. Storage crops vulnerable to condensation swings; ventilate during drier air masses. Livestock shelter advised during wet, windy periods.
Southwest Deserts (AZ, Southern CA, lower NM)
Past 24 hours
Predominantly dry with cool nights and mild afternoons; localized breeziness in favored corridors.
7-day outlook
- Temperature: Seasonally cool mornings with recurring frost risk in colder pockets; pleasant afternoons most days.
- Precipitation: Limited; a weak disturbance could brush the region with clouds and spotty light showers at times, mainly higher terrain.
- Horticulture: Protect leafy greens and tender vegetables on frosty nights; schedule irrigations for midday to reduce plant stress and avoid surface icing at dawn.
Intermountain West and Rockies
Past 24 hours
Periodic snow in the mountains and passes; valleys cold with occasional light snow or flurries and areas of fog in basins.
7-day outlook
- Temperature: Cold overall with subfreezing nights common; inversions likely in sheltered basins.
- Precipitation: Several opportunities for mountain snow, enhancing snowpack; lighter events in valleys.
- Livestock and rangeland: Ensure access to feed and open water; monitor for ice crusting after thaw–freeze cycles. Transport over mountain routes subject to intermittent chain controls.
Gulf Coast and Coastal Texas
Past 24 hours
Variable cloudiness with spotty showers; breezy periods near the coast; mild to cool for the season.
7-day outlook
- Temperature: Generally mild days with cooler nights; periodic frontal passages bring brief cool-downs.
- Precipitation: Intermittent showers; locally heavier coastal rains possible when onshore flow strengthens.
- Specialty crops: Time fieldwork between showers; monitor disease pressure on winter vegetables after wet periods.
Risks to Watch (Next 7 Days)
- Freeze/frost: Interior Southeast, southern Plains, and Southwest cold pockets on clear, calm nights.
- Wind chill: Northern Plains and Upper Midwest during and after frontal passages; provide livestock protection and energy-dense feed.
- Valley fog: Central Valley of California and interior basins of the West, reducing visibility and slowing drying.
- Western snowpack: Beneficial accumulations in the Cascades, Sierra, and central/northern Rockies; monitor avalanche advisories in backcountry areas.
- Soil conditions: Freeze–thaw cycles causing surface mud and ruts in the Midwest and Northeast; plan heavy equipment movements during frozen morning windows where possible.
- Hydrology: Repeated light-to-moderate events in the PNW and parts of the northern tier can drive small stream rises; watch poorly drained fields for ponding in the Delta/Southeast after rain rounds.
Operational Planning Pointers
- Schedule hauling and field access during frozen ground windows in colder regions to minimize compaction and ruts.
- Adjust grain aeration based on outside air temperature and humidity to avoid condensation and spoilage.
- Stage livestock windbreaks, dry bedding, and reliable water defrost strategies ahead of the coldest/windiest periods.
- Protect frost-sensitive specialty crops with covers or targeted irrigation on the coldest nights; monitor forecast lows in known cold sinks.
- Allow extra time for transport in fog-prone valleys and over mountain passes during active snow periods.
Forecast Confidence
- Temperature: Medium confidence in recurring cold shots for the northern tier and interior West; moderate variability elsewhere tied to frontal timing.
- Precipitation: Medium confidence in periodic West Coast/northern-tier systems; lower confidence in exact placement and totals for central and southern states given track sensitivity.