Note for readers: This report provides a regional agricultural weather narrative for late December, focusing on field-ready impacts and a generalized 7‑day outlook. It does not include live station observations from the last 24 hours. For location-specific verification and warnings, consult your local National Weather Service office or state extension weather resources.
What producers should know right now
- Expect wintertime variability: brief windows of dry, calm conditions punctuated by fast‑moving fronts and potential storm systems moving west to east.
- Overnight frost and freeze remain common hazards across most regions; radiational freezes follow clear, calm nights, while cloudier/windier nights trend milder.
- Two primary storm windows are typical this time of year: one in the early week and another toward the weekend, each capable of rain for the South/East and snow/ice for the northern tier and interior high terrain.
- West Coast growers should watch for valley fog and occasional Pacific disturbances; interior West and Northern Plains should plan for periodic snow and wind.
- Gulf Coast to Southeast: frequent light-to-moderate rain episodes with brief dry breaks; intermittent chill can trigger frost/freeze in interior areas.
Recent 24-hour context for U.S. agriculture
Late December commonly brings a mix of seasonally chilly mornings, patchy fog in interior valleys, and scattered light precipitation near passing fronts. Where skies clear overnight, frost formation is favored; where cloud cover and wind persist, temperatures tend to hold above freezing. Across higher latitudes and elevations, light snow and slick travel are frequent concerns, while the Gulf Coast and Southeast more often see showers and embedded thunderstorms along frontal boundaries.
Producers should review field‑level observations for the past day to assess: frost duration before sunrise, wetting rains or drizzle that can delay fieldwork, wind exposure on recently emerged winter grains, and any icing/slickness impacting livestock operations and hauling.
Regional agricultural weather outlook (next 7 days)
Pacific Northwest (WA, OR, ID)
Recent conditions (late December norms): West of the Cascades, periodic light rain and low cloud decks; east of the Cascades and interior valleys, mixed rain/snow with chilly starts. Orchard areas may see radiation frosts under clear breaks.
Next 7 days: A series of weak to occasionally moderate Pacific waves is typical. Expect:
- Lowlands: on‑and‑off rain, coolest in morning/evening; occasional fog.
- Cascades and higher terrain: recurring snow; mountain passes prone to travel disruptions.
- Interior basins (ID wheat, orchards): alternating light snow/rain and dry, cold nights with frost potential.
Field impacts: Limited spraying/drying windows west-side; watch crown hydration and wind desiccation for winter wheat east-side. High tunnel ventilation management during damp spells.
Freeze/frost risk: Moderate in interior; low to moderate west-side. Confidence: Moderate.
California (North Coast, Sacramento/San Joaquin Valleys, Central Coast, Imperial Valley)
Recent conditions (late December norms): Valley fog (Tule) after clear nights; occasional light rain with passing Pacific disturbances; interior chill with localized frost.
Next 7 days: Pattern favors intervals of dry, fog‑prone nights/mornings in the Central Valley with one or two weak‑to‑moderate systems possible:
- Central/North Coast: light rain episodes; breezy capes near frontal passages.
- Central Valley: fog and low stratus reducing evapotranspiration and field drying; overnight frosts where skies clear.
- Southern interior/Imperial: predominantly dry and cool nights; patchy frost in cold pockets.
Field impacts: Wet soil profiles in rain belts slow ground work; fog limits spray efficacy and harvest visibility. Protect tender citrus/vegetables during radiational freezes.
Freeze/frost risk: Moderate in Central Valley cold pools; low to moderate elsewhere. Confidence: Moderate.
Southwest Deserts (AZ, NM border counties)
Recent conditions (late December norms): Mostly dry, cool nights; isolated weak frontal clouds.
Next 7 days: Predominantly dry with large diurnal swings. One glancing disturbance could bring clouds and a few sprinkles to higher terrain.
Field impacts: Good harvest windows; irrigation scheduling driven by cool-season ET. Protect leafy greens from radiational frost during clear, calm nights.
Freeze/frost risk: Moderate in cold basins and rural lows. Confidence: Moderate to high.
Northern Rockies and High Plains (MT, WY, western Dakotas)
Recent conditions (late December norms): Periodic light snow, brisk winds with frontal passages; cold mornings.
Next 7 days: Expect clipper‑style systems every few days with bursts of wind and light snow, and a colder push possible late in the period.
- Snow: light accumulations favored, locally moderate in upslope regimes.
- Wind: livestock stress during post‑frontal gusts; blowing/drifting snow in open country.
- Temperatures: subfreezing highs common; colder nights mid‑ to late‑week under clear slots.
Field impacts: Winter wheat exposure to wind chill; maintain water/energy supplies for livestock. Hauling schedules may need flexibility around light snow and slickness.
Freeze risk: High. Confidence: Moderate.
Central Plains (NE, KS, eastern CO)
Recent conditions (late December norms): Alternating sun/clouds with breezy fronts; light precip bands; cold mornings.
Next 7 days: Two chances for precipitation—light snow north, rain/snow mix central/south depending on timing. Breezy periods likely.
Field impacts: Winter wheat will see freeze/thaw cycles; avoid grazing when soils are saturated. Calmer, sunny days offer limited field maintenance windows.
Freeze risk: High at night; daytime thaw limited. Confidence: Moderate.
Southern Plains (OK, TX Panhandle to North Texas)
Recent conditions (late December norms): Fronts bringing temperature swings; light rain events near Red River/into North TX; dry farther west.
Next 7 days: Gulf moisture tries to return between fronts. Expect:
- Light to locally moderate rain chances mid‑ to late‑week east of the Caprock.
- Rain/snow mix possible Panhandle with colder intrusions.
- Windy post‑frontal spells increasing fire weather on dry days in west.
Field impacts: Winter wheat establishment benefits from light moisture; monitor freeze stress on early growth. Livestock windbreaks valuable on gusty, cold days.
Freeze risk: Moderate to high Panhandle/OK; lower but nonzero central/east TX rural lows. Confidence: Moderate.
Corn Belt and Upper Midwest (MN, WI, IA, IL, IN, MI, OH)
Recent conditions (late December norms): Clipper paths with light snow, mixed precipitation near transition zones, and periodic lake‑effect in favored belts.
Next 7 days: Watch for two waves:
- Early‑week clipper: light snow north, flurries/light mix central; brisk winds lowering wind chills.
- Late‑week system: track‑dependent; potential for a broader swath of snow north and rain/mix south.
- Lake‑effect: intermittent bands following colder air surges.
Field impacts: Frozen ground with occasional thaw top‑layer; limited manure application windows; caution on rural roads for ice. Bin management: monitor condensation with temperature swings.
Freeze risk: High; multiple subfreezing nights. Confidence: Moderate (storm track sensitivity late week).
Delta and Mid‑South (AR, LA, MS, western TN)
Recent conditions (late December norms): Moist, mild‑cool oscillations with frontal showers and low ceilings; drier interludes are brief.
Next 7 days: Frequent cloud cover with one or two rounds of rain; locally heavier downpours possible along stronger fronts. Cooler, drier air filters in behind each passage.
Field impacts: Slow field drying; rutting risk on soft ground. Winter wheat benefits from moisture but watch for ponding in poorly drained fields. Post‑frontal chilly nights could bring patchy frost inland.
Freeze risk: Low to moderate (inland). Confidence: Moderate.
Southeast (AL, GA, FL, SC, NC)
Recent conditions (late December norms): Onshore moisture with scattered showers; radiational frosts inland following clear, calm nights.
Next 7 days: Alternating periods of showers and drier, cooler air. Risk window for a stronger frontal passage mid‑ to late‑week with a line of showers/storms, followed by a chilly, breezy day.
- Interior Southeast and northern/central FL: frost/freeze possible on the coldest night(s) behind fronts.
- Coastal zones: milder nights; more frequent light rain/drizzle.
Field impacts: Protect citrus, strawberries, and leafy greens during radiational freeze nights; row‑cover and micro‑sprinkler strategies may be needed. Wet fields may limit heavy equipment.
Freeze risk: Moderate inland; low along immediate coasts and South FL. Confidence: Moderate.
Mid‑Atlantic (VA, MD, DE, NJ, PA) and Northeast
Recent conditions (late December norms): Cool, damp spells with light rain/snow; interior valleys colder with patchy ice; coastal breezes near fronts.
Next 7 days: Two opportunities for precipitation:
- Early‑week: light, mostly nuisance rain/snow with marginal temps.
- Late‑week: coastal low risk increases; track dictates rain vs. snow distribution (rain favored near coast, snow inland/higher terrain).
- Coldest nights follow each system under clearing skies.
Field impacts: Orchard and vineyard blocks: monitor for freeze events on sensitive rootstocks; ensure drainage lines are clear. Rural icing possible on untreated surfaces.
Freeze risk: Moderate to high inland; moderate coastal. Confidence: Moderate (storm track sensitive late week).
Week-at-a-glance timing cues
- Days 1–3: Fast‑moving fronts; light snow north and interior West; showers South/East. Overnight frost common behind each front.
- Days 4–5: Brief calmer window for maintenance and hauling in many regions; fog risk in California Central Valley and Gulf/Atlantic coastal plains.
- Days 5–7: A stronger system may organize from the Plains into the East; rain South/East, snow north/upper Midwest/interior Northeast. Windy wrap‑around conditions possible.
Management considerations for the week ahead
- Frost readiness: Stage covers and irrigation for high‑value specialty crops; verify thermometer placement in cold pockets.
- Livestock: Prepare windbreaks and ensure unfrozen water access; plan feeding around the windiest post‑frontal periods.
- Field access: Use lighter equipment where soils are near saturation; schedule applications during mid‑day when surfaces are least slick.
- Grain storage: Check bin ventilation and condensation controls during temperature swings to prevent moisture migration.
- Transport: Watch for patchy black ice and fog‑related visibility reductions, especially pre‑dawn and overnight.
Stay updated
For precise local observations from the last 24 hours and the latest 7‑day forecast details, consult your local National Weather Service office and state extension weather networks. Monitor advisories and warnings for sudden changes in temperature, wind, and wintry precipitation.