Important: This report requires up-to-date observations and forecast data to be accurate. Live data access is not enabled, so the recap and 7‑day outlook below do not include real-time specifics. For decisions, verify with your local National Weather Service office, state extension, or trusted on‑farm stations.

National Agricultural Weather Overview

Mid-winter across the United States is characterized by fast-changing storm tracks, sharp temperature gradients, and localized hazards such as hard freezes, freezing rain, snowpack shifts, high winds, and fog. Even small changes in the jet stream can abruptly alter irrigation demand in the Southwest, snow load in the Rockies, freeze risk in the Southeast, and mud/freeze-thaw constraints in the Plains and Midwest.

  • Cold risk: Nighttime lows can drop below critical thresholds for citrus, winter vegetables, and early-blooming specialty crops during brief Arctic intrusions.
  • Moisture swings: Storm systems can quickly convert deficits to short‑term surpluses, elevating flood and fieldwork-delay risks, especially on saturated soils and low-lying fields.
  • Wind and blowing snow: Open-range livestock and winter wheat are vulnerable during high-wind events; ground blizzards can occur even with limited fresh snowfall.
  • Ice and mixed precipitation: Transition zones (32–34°F) are prone to glaze icing that can damage infrastructure, canopies, and power supply.
  • Fog and low stratus: Common in valleys and basins; suppresses daytime warming and evapotranspiration while complicating harvest/transport.

Last 24 Hours: Key Agricultural Impacts to Assess

Because conditions vary widely and live data aren’t embedded here, use this checklist to quickly audit potential impacts from the past day in your operation and region:

Pacific Northwest (tree fruit, wheat, seed crops)

  • Freezing fog or light freezing drizzle in valleys: inspect for limb icing and check road access for hauls.
  • Snow or mixed precip east of the Cascades: assess snow load on trellises and livestock shelters.
  • Overnight lows: verify orchard cold injury thresholds and consider refreeze of melted snow.

California Central Valley and Central Coast (almonds, pistachios, vineyards, vegetables)

  • Radiation frost pockets after clear, calm nights: evaluate microclimate lows versus station means.
  • Fog/stratus: expect reduced evapotranspiration; adjust irrigation accordingly.
  • Any showers: check orchard floor saturation and access for equipment.

Desert Southwest – Imperial/Yuma/Sonoran Valleys (winter vegetables, leafy greens, dates, citrus)

  • Overnight cold: look for cold spotting in low-lying fields; confirm covers or wind machines functioned.
  • Dry air/wind: potential for abrasion on tender canopies; reassess irrigation timing under low humidity.

Rockies and Intermountain West (hay, cattle, potatoes, small grains)

  • Snowfall and drifting: verify water/forage access for livestock; inspect roofs for load.
  • Canyon/valley inversions: watch air quality and livestock stress; limited solar warming.

Northern Plains (wheat, cattle)

  • Wind chills: review shelter access and waterers; monitor newborn/lactating stock closely.
  • Blowing snow: evaluate highway closures and supply chains.

Central and Southern Plains (winter wheat, cattle)

  • Freeze/thaw cycling: heaving risk on poorly anchored wheat stands; walk fields to assess crowns.
  • Moisture inputs: gauge topsoil recharge versus waterlogging on tight clays.

Corn Belt/Upper Midwest (row crops, hogs, dairy)

  • Mixed precip or snow: inspect bins/sheds; adjust livestock ventilation in cold, damp air.
  • Mud and compaction risk on thawed surfaces: defer heavy traffic if possible.

Delta and Lower Mississippi Valley (winter wheat, rice infrastructure, soy/cotton off-season)

  • Rain bands and thunderstorms: check low-lying fields for ponding; review levees and drainage.
  • Temperature swings: confirm wheat tiller condition after sharp fronts.

Southeast and Florida (citrus, vegetables, pasture, peanuts off-season)

  • Frost/freeze potential in interior zones: verify micro-sprinklers, wind machines; scout for leaf burn.
  • High humidity and dew: monitor disease pressure for brassicas and strawberries.

Mid-Atlantic and Northeast (dairy, hay, orchards, vineyards)

  • Wintry mix or icing: check trellis tension and power resilience for cold-chain needs.
  • Freeze/thaw on saturated soils: avoid rutting; safeguard access lanes.

Seven-Day Outlook: Planning Guidance by Region

Without live forecast data, the guidance below outlines the most common mid-winter scenarios to prepare for over the next week. Match your local forecast to the scenario(s) that apply.

Scenario A: Active Pacific Storm Track

  • West Coast and Intermountain West: Expect periodic rain/snow. Prepare for runoff, orchard access limits, and snow load management. Favor drainage checks and pause heavy field work.
  • Central/Northern Rockies into Northern Plains: Spells of snow and wind. Plan livestock windbreaks and route alternatives; stage diesel anti-gel and cold-start aids.
  • Upper Midwest/Great Lakes: Clippers and lake-effect bands. Schedule milk/commodity pickup around narrow high-impact windows.

Scenario B: Arctic Air Outbreak Dropping South

  • Northern Plains to Midwest: Dangerous wind chills; boost energy density in rations, reduce newborn exposure, and verify tank heaters.
  • Southern Plains and Southeast interior: Freeze risk reaching citrus/vegetable belts; prep frost protection, row covers, and irrigation for latent heat.
  • Mid-Atlantic/Northeast: Sharp freezes after melt events can cause glaze; apply sand/grit where needed and ventilate produce storage to curb condensation.

Scenario C: Gulf/Atlantic Low with Moisture Return

  • Delta and Southeast: Heavy rain and thunderstorms possible; clear ditches, protect seed and inputs from moisture, and plan around lightning downtime.
  • Mid-Atlantic: Cold-air damming risk with ice; brace trellises and check backup power for cold storage.

Scenario D: Quiet, High-Pressure Stretch

  • Desert Southwest and California interior: Cool nights, mild days, low humidity. Fine-tune irrigation to reduced ETo; watch for frost pockets in calm basins.
  • Valley fog zones (Central Valley, Columbia Basin): Prolonged low stratus can suppress drying—delay sprays and ground operations until mixing improves.

Operational Checklist for the Week Ahead

  • Frost/Freeze Readiness: Test pumps, valves, wind machines, fuel levels, and sensor alarms; confirm low-temp setpoints for alerts.
  • Livestock Welfare: Stage bedding, windbreaks, tank heaters, and backup generators; schedule health checks before fronts arrive.
  • Field Access and Erosion: Inspect culverts and terraces; pre-position gravel for soft spots; plan traffic on frozen mornings if necessary.
  • Infrastructure: Clear snow/ice from roofs and solar arrays; prune damaged limbs safely after icing events.
  • Supply Chain: Coordinate harvest/haul around the narrowest weather windows; confirm road conditions and detours.
  • Disease Management: After wet/foggy periods, prioritize scouting for Botrytis and downy mildew in susceptible crops; adjust spray intervals around rain.

Region-by-Region Risk Highlights

Pacific Northwest

Primary risks: valley fog/icing, snow load in basins and passes, brief cold snaps. Focus on orchard ice mitigation, road access, and inversion-driven cold spots.

California

Primary risks: radiation frost in calm, clear nights; tule fog; occasional frontal showers. Schedule pruning and trellis work for late-morning windows; monitor bloom-stage sensitivity in early varieties.

Desert Southwest

Primary risks: overnight frost, low humidity wind events, dust during disturbed conditions. Balance irrigation to low ETo while protecting tender greens from cold injury.

Rockies/Intermountain

Primary risks: intermittent snow, drifting, and inversions. Protect feed and water access; monitor structures for snow load.

Northern Plains

Primary risks: wind chills, ground blizzard conditions, intermittent light snow. Emphasize livestock sheltering and transportation planning.

Central/Southern Plains

Primary risks: freeze-thaw heaving in winter wheat, episodic cold fronts, and wind. Assess stand vigor and crown health; avoid traffic on soft fields.

Corn Belt/Upper Midwest

Primary risks: mixed precipitation, brief heavy snow bands, mud when thawed. Time grain movement and input deliveries between events.

Delta/Lower Mississippi Valley

Primary risks: heavy rain, thunderstorms, and ponding. Maintain drainage and protect stored seed/fertilizer from moisture.

Southeast/Florida

Primary risks: radiational frost inland, high humidity disease pressure, occasional severe storms near Gulf/Atlantic systems. Stage frost protection and tighten spray intervals when warm and moist.

Mid-Atlantic/Northeast

Primary risks: wintry mix and icing, coastal lows, and freeze-thaw cycles. Protect trellised perennials and ensure reliable power for cold-chain operations.

Data and Decision Support

  • Verify specifics: Consult your local NWS office, state mesonet, or trusted private provider for exact 24‑hour totals, temperatures, and the day‑by‑day 7‑day forecast.
  • Use on‑farm sensors: Compare canopy-level temperatures with nearby airport or mesonet readings to capture inversion effects.
  • Document thresholds: Note any fields approaching critical cold, wind, or saturation thresholds to prioritize interventions this week.