Note for readers: Live weather feeds are not available in this format. The regional recap and outlook below synthesize typical early-January patterns and widely observed risks for U.S. agriculture. Always confirm specifics with your local National Weather Service office or trusted forecast provider before making operational decisions.

What growers likely experienced in the last 24 hours

Early January routinely features sharp temperature contrasts, quick-moving systems across the northern tier, and Pacific moisture aimed at the West. Many producers saw one or more of the following in the past day:

  • Northern Plains and Upper Midwest: Periods of light snow, flurries, and brisk winds creating patchy blowing snow and reduced visibilities; wind chills adding livestock stress.
  • Central and Southern Plains: Mostly dry, chilly mornings and milder afternoons; patchy frost where skies cleared; winter wheat remained largely dormant.
  • Corn Belt: Intermittent light snow or wintry mix bands, especially downwind of the Great Lakes; cold, damp soils limiting any fieldwork.
  • Pacific Northwest and Northern Rockies: Rounds of rain at lower elevations and accumulating mountain snow, improving snowpack and basin storage outlooks but prompting slick travel over passes.
  • California: Onshore flow pockets delivering light to moderate rain along the coast and valleys at times, Sierra snowfall improving water supply outlooks; scattered field-access delays in wetter zones.
  • Southwest deserts: Generally dry with large day–night temperature swings; frost pockets in outlying low spots.
  • Delta and Lower Mississippi Valley: Spotty showers where Gulf moisture briefly returned; otherwise cool, damp ground conditions persisted.
  • Southeast: Areas of fog early, a few showers or thunderstorms near the Gulf and Atlantic coastal plain; inland frost where skies cleared overnight; citrus and specialty crops monitored for brief chill episodes.
  • Northeast: Cold, with light snow or flurries in places; lake-effect bands enhanced downwind of the Great Lakes in colder air.

Soils across the northern tier remain frozen to seasonally frozen, while the central and southern tiers continue a stop-and-go pattern of field access depending on recent rainfall and overnight temperatures.

Seven-day agricultural weather outlook and risks

This planning outlook highlights the most likely risk windows by region for the next week. Use local forecasts for precise timing and amounts.

Pacific Northwest and Northern Rockies

  • Precipitation: Continued rounds of coastal rain and mountain snow are likely, favoring snowpack gains in the Cascades, Blues, and Northern Rockies. Short breaks between systems offer brief logistics windows.
  • Temperature: Near to slightly below normal overall, with colder pockets east of the Cascades. Livestock cold-stress risk elevated during frontal passages and in windy gaps.
  • Field impacts: Saturated lowlands may see renewed ponding; orchard floor management and erosion control remain priorities.

California (Coast, Central Valley, Sierra)

  • Precipitation: Periodic light to locally moderate rain episodes possible along the coast and valley; Sierra snow accumulations continue in higher elevations, beneficial to water supply.
  • Temperature: Near seasonal; periodic radiation fog in the Central Valley during clear nights can slow harvest/hauling starts.
  • Field impacts: Intermittent fieldwork delays where soils are wetter; monitor low-lying specialty crops for short-duration chill/frost on clearer nights.

Southwest Deserts (AZ, NM, far West TX)

  • Precipitation: Mostly limited; a fast-moving disturbance could deliver isolated showers or high-elevation snow later in the week, with low totals.
  • Temperature: Large diurnal swings; frost potential in outlying valleys under clear skies. Use freeze protection where warranted for sensitive produce.

Northern Plains (MT, ND, SD, NE Panhandle)

  • Precipitation: Light snow chances recur with clipper-type systems; light accumulations can combine with wind to cause drifting.
  • Temperature: Generally below normal at times, with one or two sharper cold shots. Watch wind chills for livestock, especially newborns and late-calving herds.
  • Field impacts: Snow cover helps insulate winter wheat where present; exposed fields at risk for desiccation during windy, dry cold spells.

Central and Southern Plains (KS, OK, TX Panhandle/North)

  • Precipitation: Limited widespread moisture; a weak front could bring light precip in narrow bands mid- to late week, but many locales stay dry.
  • Temperature: Near to below normal north; near to slightly above south. Daytime thaw/overnight refreeze cycles continue.
  • Crop/livestock: Dormancy maintained in winter wheat; monitor for freeze–thaw heaving in poorly rooted stands. Provide windbreaks and water access for cattle in breezy, chilly periods.

Midwest/Corn Belt (MN/WI to IA/IL/IN/OH/MI/MO)

  • Precipitation: Occasional light snow or wintry mix episodes, with lake-effect snow downwind of the Great Lakes during colder air masses.
  • Temperature: A couple of colder waves bookended by near-normal days; wind chills periodically harsh in the Upper Midwest.
  • Field impacts: Frozen or seasonally frozen soils limit fieldwork; maintain bin aeration checks during colder, drier air intrusions.

Delta and Lower Mississippi Valley

  • Precipitation: One or two systems likely to bring showers and a few thunderstorms; localized heavier pockets possible but widespread flooding is not favored.
  • Temperature: Near seasonal to slightly above at times; brief cool-downs behind fronts with patchy frost potential inland.
  • Field impacts: Soft ground persists; plan around short, drier windows for field prep and maintenance.

Southeast (Gulf Coast, Carolinas, Georgia, Florida)

  • Precipitation: Periodic Gulf/Atlantic moisture brings scattered showers and a few storms. Coastal and piedmont areas see the most coverage.
  • Temperature: Variable; brief cool snaps with inland frost risk followed by milder intervals. Florida citrus and winter vegetables should monitor for marginal freeze nights in typically colder interiors.
  • Field impacts: Humidity and dew formation favor disease pressure; plan fungicide intervals around rain breaks.

Northeast (PA/NJ northward to New England)

  • Precipitation: Light snow or mixed precip with passing waves; lake-effect snow continues at times for interior New York and Pennsylvania.
  • Temperature: Generally cold with short thaws near the coast; wind chills lower the livestock comfort index during breezy days.
  • Field impacts: Frozen ground limits field operations; monitor infrastructure for ice formation and maintain access to water for livestock.

Key agricultural risks and management notes

  • Cold stress on livestock: Highest risk windows follow frontal passages in the Northern Plains, Upper Midwest, and interior Northeast. Provide windbreaks, dry bedding, and frequent checks on waterers.
  • Winter wheat condition: Protective snow cover is beneficial in the north; exposed stands face desiccation risk during windy cold. Avoid traffic that damages crowns during thaw–refreeze cycles.
  • Flooding/ponding: West Coast lowlands and Delta bottoms may see renewed saturation where heavier showers recur. Maintain drainage and limit equipment traffic to preserve soil structure.
  • Freeze/frost pockets: Central Valley, interior Southeast, and Southwest deserts can see radiational cooling on clear nights. Use row covers, wind machines, or irrigation as appropriate for sensitive crops.
  • Disease pressure: Southeastern humidity and intermittent rainfall favor foliar diseases in winter vegetables and small grains—align protective sprays between rain events.
  • Logistics: Mountain passes in the West may experience winter travel impacts. Time feed and input deliveries to quieter weather breaks.

Regional day-by-day planning guide (flexible timing by locale)

  • Days 1–2:
    • West: Another wave for the Pacific Northwest and Northern Rockies; brief valley rain/Sierra snow chances in California. Use short breaks for field access.
    • Northern tier: Fast-moving clipper brings light snow and gusty winds; livestock wind-chill mitigation needed.
    • South/Southeast: Patchy showers near the Gulf/Atlantic coasts; inland frost possible where skies clear overnight.
  • Days 3–4:
    • West: Showery pattern persists north; California trends mixed with local fog formation in calmer intervals.
    • Central U.S.: Cooler push reaches the Plains and Midwest; scattered light wintry precip possible.
    • Delta/Southeast: Increasing shower coverage ahead of a front; plan post-frontal fieldwork windows.
  • Days 5–7:
    • West: Continued mountain snow opportunities support snowpack; watch for runoff/ponding in saturated lowlands.
    • Plains/Midwest: Secondary cold surge reasserts; light snow chances linger with localized drifting.
    • East/Southeast: Front clears with a drier, cooler window, then moderating temperatures return late.

What this means for key commodities

  • Winter wheat (Plains/Midwest): Dormancy remains intact; protect against heaving and desiccation on exposed fields. Snow cover where present mitigates cold injury.
  • Row crops in storage (Corn/Soy): Colder, drier air masses provide favorable aeration opportunities; avoid condensation by matching grain temperature to ambient conditions.
  • Specialty crops (CA, FL, AZ): Monitor for radiational frosts on clear nights; keep protection strategies and irrigation scheduling flexible around short, wetter periods.
  • Citrus (FL, CA): Brief marginal freeze risk inland with clear, calm nights; wind shifts and dew points will determine severity—track local overnight forecasts closely.
  • Livestock: Energy requirements rise during windy, cold spells in the north. Ensure adequate feed and wind shelter; maintain ice-free water access.

Quick resources for localized decisions

  • National Weather Service local office: weather.gov and select your county for pinpoint forecasts, hourly graphs, and hazard statements.
  • River forecasts and soil moisture: water.noaa.gov
  • Drought and precipitation monitoring: drought.gov

Pair these localized tools with the regional risk context above to fine-tune timing for fieldwork, input applications, and livestock protection over the next week.