This agriculture-focused report provides a national perspective on conditions and risks relevant to producers across the United States. Note: Live station observations from the past 24 hours and site-specific seven-day forecasts are not included here. For exact local conditions and any active advisories, consult the National Weather Service at weather.gov and your state mesonet.

Context for the Past 24 Hours

Early January typically features frequent frontal passages, rapid temperature swings, and a storm track that often strengthens across the Pacific before crossing the Rockies and Plains. Depending on your location, your past-day conditions may have included:

  • West and Intermountain West: Periodic Pacific systems producing valley rain and mountain snow; short-notice travel disruptions over passes; beneficial high-elevation snowpack accumulation supporting spring water supply.
  • Northern Plains and Upper Midwest: Seasonable cold with intervals of light snow or flurries; wind enhancing livestock cold stress during and behind frontal passages; patchy blowing snow in open country.
  • Corn Belt: Freeze–thaw cycles leading to variable footing and mud; spotty light mix possible along frontal boundaries; limited field access.
  • Southern Plains and Southwest: Breezy, dry breaks between systems with rapid humidity drops; fire-weather concerns on windy downslope days; rangeland moisture still tied to recent storm coverage.
  • Delta and Lower Mississippi Valley: Moisture returns ahead of fronts can trigger showers and locally heavy downpours; standing water in low fields where drainage is poor.
  • Southeast and Florida: Passing showers along Gulf/Atlantic sea-breeze and frontal zones; cool, clear nights may allow patchy frost inland when winds relax; citrus and vegetable growers monitoring radiational cooling risk.
  • Mid-Atlantic and Northeast: Seasonal chill with intervals of light snow/rain depending on elevation and proximity to coast; timing of coastal waves dictates brief travel and chore disruptions.

Producers should verify site-specific totals and temperatures with local observations and radar archives via NWS and state mesonets.

Seven-Day Planning Outlook (National, Agricultural Focus)

Guidance below highlights common early-January patterns and agricultural implications. Use this to frame decisions; confirm timing, amounts, and alerts locally.

Days 1–3: Fast-Moving Systems and Temperature Swings

  • West: Additional shortwave disturbances favor periodic valley rain and mountain snow from the coastal ranges into the Sierra and northern/central Rockies. Expect plow/snow management over high-elevation roads and intermittent field delays in lowlands.
  • Great Basin to High Plains: Breezy spells with downslope warming east of the Rockies followed by quick cool-downs behind fronts. Watch for livestock waterers freezing after frontal passage; wind can elevate fire spread where fuels are dry.
  • Northern Tier (Dakotas to Great Lakes): Reinforcing shots of cold maintain freeze-set soils; light snow or snow showers with patchy blowing/drifting in open areas. Winter wheat protection depends on maintaining some snow cover.
  • Corn Belt: Short windows of improved footing between waves; freeze–thaw cycles can create mud, rutting, and compaction risks for any off-season traffic.
  • Southern Plains, Delta, Southeast: Moisture pooling along stalled or slow-moving boundaries periodically supports showers and embedded storms. Brief heavy rain could back up drainage in low-lying fields; cooler nights behind fronts may bring patchy frost inland.
  • Mid-Atlantic and Northeast: Light wintry episodes inland; coastal zones trend mixed depending on storm track. Be alert for brief icing risk on untreated surfaces at night/morning transitions.

Days 4–7: Wider Temperature Spread, Renewed Precipitation Bouts

  • West: Another round of Pacific energy is possible, sustaining mountain snowpack gains. Snow load and access remain key concerns for timber, livestock transport, and orchard operations in foothills.
  • Northern Plains/Upper Midwest: Potential for a deeper cold push increases livestock cold stress and energy demand. Winter wheat without snow cover becomes more vulnerable to desiccation and cold injury.
  • Central Plains to Ohio Valley: Additional frontal waves likely, with alternating mild/cold periods. Brief windows for infrastructure work may open between precipitation episodes.
  • Lower Mississippi Valley and Southeast: Recurrent Gulf moisture may yield multiple rain days. Monitor for saturated topsoils, disease pressure in winter vegetables, and citrus cold-protection needs on clear, post-frontal nights.
  • Mid-Atlantic/Northeast: Track of coastal/inland lows determines rain/snow line. Orchard blocks and vineyards should manage ice risk on trellis/wires and maintain safe access on slopes.

Regional Breakdown and Agricultural Implications

California and Desert Southwest (Specialty Crops, Produce)

  • What to know: Periodic coastal/valley rain and Sierra/mountain snow are seasonally common. Short, cool days limit drying; field access can be intermittent.
  • Next 7 days — watch for: Harvest/packhouse logistics around rain windows; orchard floor saturation and machinery access; plasticulture runoff management in vegetable fields; cold-protection for leafy greens and citrus on clear, calm nights.

Pacific Northwest (Wheat, Tree Fruit, Seed)

  • What to know: Passing systems deliver valley rain and Cascade/Blue Mountain snow. East of the Cascades, wind-chilled conditions stress livestock and exposed winter wheat.
  • Next 7 days — watch for: Ice in sheltered valleys; inversion-driven poor air dispersion; timing N, P, K applications to avoid runoff during rain-on-snow or thaw periods.

Northern Plains and Upper Midwest (Small Grains, Corn–Soy, Livestock)

  • What to know: Reinforcing cold shots and light snow are common. Wind increases animal energy needs; open fields are prone to blowing snow.
  • Next 7 days — watch for: Maintain windbreaks and dry bedding; check automatic waterers twice daily; monitor winter wheat snow cover and crown temperatures, especially on south-facing slopes.

Corn Belt (Corn–Soy, Livestock)

  • What to know: Freeze–thaw cycles degrade soil structure if trafficked; intermittent light precipitation possible with frontal waves.
  • Next 7 days — watch for: Limit heavy equipment traffic to reduce compaction; schedule bin checks on cold, dry days; maintain snow/ice control around livestock yards.

Southern Plains and Texas (Hard Red Winter Wheat, Cattle)

  • What to know: Rapid swings between warm, dry downslope winds and cooler, moist post-frontal air. Fire-weather episodes possible during warm, windy periods.
  • Next 7 days — watch for: Graze-out planning against freeze-back; cold stress on newborn calves during morning lows; monitor fire danger on breezy, low-humidity afternoons.

Delta and Lower Mississippi Valley (Row Crops, Winter Vegetables)

  • What to know: Periodic Gulf-fed rain can be efficient; poorly drained fields saturate quickly.
  • Next 7 days — watch for: Field access constraints; disease pressure where foliage remains wet; calibrate drainage pumps; watch small-stream responses with back-to-back rain days.

Southeast and Florida (Citrus, Produce, Specialty Crops)

  • What to know: Frontal showers interspersed with cool, clear nights can set up patchy frost inland.
  • Next 7 days — watch for: Radiational frost risk on calm, cloudless nights; irrigation for freeze mitigation where appropriate; plastic mulch and row-cover management; disease suppression after rainy periods.

Mid-Atlantic and Northeast (Dairy, Hay, Orchards, Maple)

  • What to know: Mixed precipitation risk near the coast; snow/ice inland with brief thaw-refreeze cycles.
  • Next 7 days — watch for: Orchard ice load on trellis; lane/yard ice management; schedule sap collection equipment checks during milder daytime windows.

Rockies and Intermountain West (Rangeland, Irrigated Valleys)

  • What to know: Snowpack accumulation continues to build water supply; valley inversions possible between systems.
  • Next 7 days — watch for: Transport delays over mountain passes; livestock access to feed in drift-prone pastures; monitor snow-water equivalent for irrigation planning.

Operational Tips for the Coming Week

  • Livestock: Increase energy rations ahead of cold snaps; maintain windbreaks; verify water flow to tanks; stage backup power for pumps and heaters.
  • Winter Wheat and Perennials: Preserve residue/snow catch to protect crowns; avoid traffic on thawed, saturated soils; delay topdress applications until a stable, non-runoff window.
  • Row Crops and Fieldwork: Use frozen mornings for any necessary traffic; mark wet spots to avoid rutting; service drainage outlets and check culverts before heavier rain events.
  • Produce and Citrus: Prepare frost protection where clear, calm nights are forecast locally; plan fungicide rotations after wet periods; manage row-cover deployment/retrieval around wind events.
  • Infrastructure and Safety: Treat icy lanes and loading areas; inspect roofs and gutters before rain/snow; secure tarps and materials ahead of high-wind periods.

Where to Get Localized Weather and Alerts

For critical decisions, pair this national overview with your nearest official forecast and any agricultural extension advisories.