Note to readers: This agriculture-focused weather brief is written without direct access to live observational feeds. The past-day recap and next-week outlook are presented as region-wide risk and pattern guidance typical for mid-January. Always check your local National Weather Service office or state mesonet for site-specific, time-sensitive updates.

Past 24 hours: What producers likely encountered by region

Upper Midwest and Northern Plains (Dakotas, Minnesota, northern Iowa, Montana)

Seasonally cold conditions dominated many locations, with light, fast-moving snow bands possible along the northern tier. Blowing and drifting may have briefly reduced visibility in open country where winds aligned with passing disturbances. Livestock operations contended with wind chills and variable pen conditions, while snow cover—where present—continued to insulate dormant winter wheat and perennial forages.

Corn Belt (Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Missouri)

Temperatures fluctuated around typical mid-January norms. Light snow or flurries were possible in northern and eastern areas, while central and southern zones saw dry, cold-to-chilly conditions. Field access remained limited to frozen mornings in many areas; muddy fields were possible during brief afternoon thaws.

Central and Southern Plains (Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas Panhandle)

Variable temperatures prevailed, with cold mornings and a modest daytime rebound. A few locales may have seen light wintry mix or sprinkles with passing waves, but widespread precipitation was limited. Dormant or semi-dormant winter wheat generally held steady; rangeland remained seasonally brown with stock tanks and water lines requiring freeze vigilance overnight.

Delta and Lower Mississippi Valley (Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, western Tennessee)

Moist Gulf air occasionally supported scattered showers, particularly closer to the Gulf Coast. Where rain fell, it sustained high soil moisture and slow drying between events. Farther north and west in the Delta, cooler and mostly dry intervals alternated with overcast spells.

Southeast (Gulf Coast to Carolinas)

Intermittent showers were possible, with patchy fog during the overnight and early morning hours in humid corridors. Cool mornings and mild afternoons persisted. Pastures benefited from moisture where rainfall occurred, while saturated pockets continued to limit field work.

Northeast and Mid-Atlantic

Chilly air held firm with scattered light snow or flurries possible inland and mixed rain/snow near the coast in favored bands. Orchard blocks and vineyards remained dormant; snow cover—where present—supported root-zone protection. Wind gusts along ridgelines occasionally added stress for outdoor livestock.

Great Lakes

Lake-effect flurries or light snow showers were possible downwind of the lakes, with localized slick travel. Otherwise, seasonally cold conditions dominated with limited drying opportunities.

California Central Valley and Coastal Growing Regions

Mid-winter conditions included cool mornings with dense fog possible in the Valley during calm periods and damp ground following recent unsettled spells. Coastal areas saw cool to mild afternoons. Orchard dormancy continued, with chill accumulation ongoing.

Southwest Deserts (Arizona, New Mexico low deserts)

Generally dry, cool nights and mild afternoons favored vegetable harvest and irrigation scheduling. Frost pockets developed in low-lying fields overnight where clear skies and light winds prevailed.

Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon, Idaho)

Onshore flow supported periodic light rain west of the Cascades and mountain snow at higher elevations. East of the Cascades, cold, mostly dry conditions persisted, with fog/low stratus in basins.

Rockies and Intermountain West

Mountain snow continued to build high-elevation snowpack in favored ranges, while many lower valleys were cold and mostly dry. Livestock feeding logistics and access remained the primary operational consideration.

Next 7 days: Region-by-region outlook and farm impacts

Confidence is moderate for a typical mid-January pattern featuring periodic shots of colder air across the northern tier, a generally active southern storm track at times, and unsettled conditions along the West Coast and interior mountains. Day-to-day details vary locally; use the guidance below to plan field access, livestock care, and post-harvest or dormancy management.

Upper Midwest and Northern Plains

• Temperatures: Several cold mornings with subfreezing highs common; brief moderation between fronts.
• Precipitation: Light snow chances return with fast-moving systems; accumulations generally modest but locally impactful with wind.
• Risks/Impacts: Wind chills for outdoor livestock; drifting where light snow aligns with gusts; limited afternoon thaw windows for equipment.
• Field Ops: Best windows during calmer, drier breaks; plan fuel and bedding for herd comfort.

Corn Belt

• Temperatures: Near to slightly below seasonal, with brief thaws south of I-80.
• Precipitation: Intermittent light snow north and east; mixed precipitation or chilly rain possible in southern fringes later in the period if a southern system lifts.
• Risks/Impacts: Slushy or icy spots after light events; slow drying between clouds and weak sun angles.
• Field Ops: Frozen-morning access possible; avoid rutting during brief afternoon softening.

Central and Southern Plains

• Temperatures: Variable; a couple of fronts bring colder shots, with milder breaks.
• Precipitation: Low to modest chances; a passing disturbance could produce light rain/snow mix, mainly north and east.
• Risks/Impacts: Winter wheat largely stable; monitor for desiccation on windy, dry, cold days lacking snow cover.
• Livestock: Wind breaks and unfrozen water access remain priorities.

Delta and Lower Mississippi Valley

• Temperatures: Cool mornings, seasonably mild afternoons.
• Precipitation: Periodic showers with a couple of wetter intervals possible; localized heavy rain risk near the Gulf-enhanced moisture corridor.
• Risks/Impacts: Ponding in poorly drained fields; limited fieldwork between rounds; elevated disease pressure in winter vegetables where foliage stays wet.

Southeast

• Temperatures: Mild relative to the interior; occasional cool-downs behind fronts.
• Precipitation: Several chances for showers; a few thunderstorms near the Gulf Coast can’t be ruled out, especially with stronger fronts.
• Risks/Impacts: Intermittent wet fields; watch for short-fuse river and lowland rises where multiple rounds occur.
• Specialty Crops: Monitor chill-hour accumulation and protect tender transplants during brief cooler nights.

Mid-Atlantic and Northeast

• Temperatures: Cold overall; occasional moderation between trough passages.
• Precipitation: Light snow or mixed events possible; coastal systems may brush the region later in the period with track uncertainty.
• Risks/Impacts: Icy travel after light events; orchard and vineyard dormancy remains on track; snow cover supports root protection where present.

Great Lakes

• Temperatures: Cold, with variability tied to wind direction and cloud cover.
• Precipitation: Periodic lake-effect snow in favored belts; light synoptic snow with passing waves.
• Risks/Impacts: Localized heavy bands possible; snowpack aids perennials but complicates transport.

California Central Valley and Coastal Regions

• Temperatures: Cool mornings, seasonably mild afternoons when skies break; fog risk persists in the Valley during calm, clear nights.
• Precipitation: Unsettled spells remain possible with Pacific systems; Sierra snow continues to build snowpack during colder storms.
• Risks/Impacts: Wet ground limits orchard access after rain; manage compaction and watch for phytophthora risk in saturated soils.

Southwest Deserts

• Temperatures: Cool to cold nights with frost pockets; mild afternoons.
• Precipitation: Generally limited; a weak disturbance could bring spotty light showers to higher terrain.
• Risks/Impacts: Continue frost mitigation for leafy greens and tender vegetables; schedule irrigations to avoid overnight leaf wetness where possible.

Pacific Northwest

• Temperatures: Cool west of the Cascades; colder east-side basins with prolonged inversions at times.
• Precipitation: Periodic rain west; mountain snow continues; light snow or mixed precipitation possible east with colder incursions.
• Risks/Impacts: Saturated topsoils in the Willamette and coastal valleys; watch small stream responses during multi-day wet periods.

Rockies and Intermountain West

• Temperatures: Cold in higher elevations; variable in valleys depending on cloud cover and inversions.
• Precipitation: Continued mountain snow in favored ranges; generally lighter in valleys.
• Risks/Impacts: Snowpack supports spring water supply; ranch access and feeding logistics remain the key operational constraints.

National hazards and timing cues

• Early period (Days 1–2): Northern-tier cold with light snow chances; Gulf Coast and Southeast see scattered showers; Valley fog episodes in California.
• Mid period (Days 3–5): Another front crosses the central U.S., renewing light wintry precipitation north and mixed rain/snow in the central corridor; showers expand across the lower Mississippi and Southeast; West stays periodically unsettled.
• Late period (Days 6–7): Potential for a more organized system somewhere along the southern or eastern U.S. storm track; details depend on storm evolution. Confidence on exact placement and amounts is lower at this range.

Operational guidance for the week ahead

• Livestock cold stress: Stage wind breaks, bedding, and reliable thawed water access before frontal passages; adjust feed energy density during colder snaps.
• Winter wheat: Where snow cover is absent, monitor for wind desiccation; delay traffic on saturated fields to reduce crown damage and compaction.
• Tree fruit and nuts: Use dry breaks for pruning; avoid equipment in saturated rows; continue to track chill hours and protect against trunk sunscald on clear, cold days.
• Vegetables (Southeast/Southwest): Prepare row covers or irrigation for frost mitigation; manage foliar diseases with longer dew periods during humid, showery stretches.
• Transport and logistics: Anticipate intermittent icing/snow in the northern tier and Great Lakes; plan harvest and delivery windows around morning freeze-thaw cycles.

For site-specific decisions, consult your local NWS office, state mesonet, and extension advisories. Conditions can change quickly, and localized weather will differ from region-wide guidance.