National Overview

Mid-January typically brings a north–south split across U.S. agriculture regions: colder, occasionally wintry conditions along the Northern Tier and Great Lakes; milder but changeable weather across the Southern Plains, Delta, and Southeast; and a parade of weak to moderate Pacific disturbances affecting the Northwest and parts of the Rockies. Over the past day, many farm areas experienced seasonally quiet conditions punctuated by localized showers or light wintry precipitation in the north and patchy coastal rain in the east, while the interior West and California valley locations dealt with chilly mornings and areas of dense fog. Looking ahead, the next week favors a progressive pattern with two primary themes: periodic Pacific energy feeding the Northwest and northern Rockies, and a couple of fast-moving waves brushing the Northern Plains and Midwest before a late-week front brings a broader change for the central and eastern states.

Note: This is a generalized national overview for producers and agribusiness readers. Local conditions vary significantly. For field-level decisions, consult your nearest National Weather Service office or extension service.

Last 24 Hours: Regional Conditions and Agricultural Impacts

Pacific Northwest and Northern Rockies

Mountain zones commonly saw periods of snow with rain at lower elevations and breezy passes—typical mid-January travel and logistics challenges. Field access in lowlands remained limited where soils are wet, with orchard and vineyard operations most active during mid-day when winds and breaks in precipitation allowed.

California (Coastal and Central Valley)

Chilly nights and morning valley fog were the dominant issues, with spotty coastal sprinkles possible and largely dry interior valleys. Citrus and nut orchards focused on frost monitoring and mitigation where wind was light and skies cleared overnight; fog delayed harvest and hauling in some locations.

Southwest Deserts (Imperial Valley CA, Yuma AZ, Lower Colorado Basin)

Predominantly dry with cool dawns; pockets of radiational frost remained a concern in low-lying fields. Afternoon breezes aided drying but increased evapotranspiration slightly for leafy greens and winter vegetables.

Northern and Central Plains

Seasonally cold across the north with scattered flurries in spots; drier and comparatively milder south of I-70, though breezy conditions occasionally stressed livestock. Winter wheat remained mostly dormant, with limited field activity.

Midwest/Corn Belt

Light, fast-moving wintry episodes affected portions of the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes, with lake-effect bands downwind of the lakes. Elsewhere, cold and dry spells prevailed, supporting equipment maintenance and grain logistics while outdoor tasks were paced by wind and wind chill.

Delta and Lower Mississippi Valley

Intermittent clouds and spotty light showers in places, with many fields otherwise in seasonal downtime. Where recent rains occurred earlier this week, soils remained soft, limiting heavy-equipment access.

Southeast

Coastal and Gulf-adjacent zones saw scattered showers; interior areas had cool, mainly dry weather and widespread early-morning frost. Citrus, berries, and winter vegetables continued active frost protection and irrigation scheduling.

Northeast

Interior areas saw light snow or flurries, while coastal zones trended cool with occasional light precipitation. Dairy and livestock operations focused on shelter, bedding, and water supply in the face of periodic wind chills.

Key Agricultural Impacts (Past Day)

• Livestock cold stress in the Northern Plains, Upper Midwest, and interior Northeast during the coldest morning periods.
• Frost management in California interior valleys and parts of the Southeast; fog delayed harvest and hauling in California’s Central Valley.
• Mountain snow improved Western snowpack for irrigation season but complicated transport through passes.
• Limited fieldwork windows in the Northwest lowlands and along the Gulf/Atlantic coasts where showers developed.

Seven-Day Outlook: What Producers Should Expect

Confidence is moderate that a progressive pattern will prevail: a quick northern-tier disturbance early week, periodic Pacific moisture into the Northwest and northern Rockies, and a late-week cold front that sweeps from the central U.S. to the East. Temperature gradients favor cooler-than-normal stretches across the Northern Tier and nearer to or slightly above normal across parts of the Southern Plains, Delta, and Southeast. California’s interior continues to see large day–night swings with recurring fog where skies clear and winds relax.

Pacific Northwest and Northern Rockies

• Frequent light to moderate precipitation events, with mountain snow and lowland rain; snowpack continues to build.
• Short, changeable fieldwork windows; wind and wet soils complicate orchard/vineyard pruning and equipment movement.
• Flooding risk generally limited but monitor smaller basins during multi-day wet periods.

California

• Central Valley: Repeated nighttime/early-morning fog and pockets of frost on clear, calm nights. Daytime highs seasonable; minimal precipitation outside of northern/coastal areas.
• Coastal/Interior North: Higher odds of light rain with any passing Pacific disturbance mid-to-late week.
• Implications: Citrus and almond orchards should anticipate several frost-watch nights; fog may delay starts. Field prep can progress during dry midday periods.

Southwest Deserts

• Mostly dry week with cool mornings and mild afternoons; a couple of breezy days possible midweek.
• Localized frost risk persists on the coldest, clear nights in low-lying fields.
• Irrigation scheduling remains near seasonal norms; watch wind for abrasion on leafy crops.

Northern Plains

• Early-week: Light snow chances with a fast-moving disturbance; occasional gusty winds and cold wind chills.
• Mid-to-late week: Gradual moderation possible before another push of colder air arrives behind a late-week front.
• Livestock: Maintain windbreaks and access to unfrozen water; monitor calves for cold stress during morning lows.

Central and Southern Plains

• First half of week: Predominantly dry with periods of mild afternoons; gusty winds on one or two days may elevate fire weather in the High Plains.
• Late week: A front brings a cooler turn and a low chance for light precipitation mainly east; western sectors likely remain dry.
• Winter wheat: Dormancy generally intact north; in the south, monitor for brief green-up where warmth and sun align.

Midwest/Corn Belt

• Early week: A quick clipper-type system favors light snow north; flurries and brisk winds common.
• Midweek: Short quieter period; lake-effect bands possible downwind of the Great Lakes.
• Late week: A broader front brings scattered light precipitation—snow/mix north, rain/mix south—followed by a cooler push.
• Grain logistics: Cold supports firm ground in the north; watch wind and light snow bursts for transport timing.

Delta and Lower Mississippi Valley

• Intermittent shower chances increase midweek into late week ahead of and along a passing front.
• Temperatures generally seasonable to mild for part of the week, turning cooler behind the late-week boundary.
• Field access: Expect alternating windows; plan heavier equipment moves for the drier, breezier intervals.

Southeast

• Gulf and Atlantic coastal zones: Periodic showers midweek; inland areas see more breaks with several frost-prone nights.
• A late-week front brings a cooler, drier air mass with renewed frost/freeze potential inland.
• Specialty crops: Continue frost protection planning for citrus, berries, and early vegetables during clear, calm nights.

Northeast

• Several light, fast-moving wintry episodes possible, focused inland and higher terrain; coastal areas see mixed precipitation or chilly rain at times.
• Late-week frontal passage reinforces cold air; wind chills briefly dip lower.
• Operations: Schedule hauling and maintenance around lighter wind and precipitation windows; secure structures for gusty periods.

Day-by-Day Planning Snapshot

• Saturday–Sunday: Pacific moisture favors the Northwest and northern Rockies; California interior faces fog and frost at daybreak. Northern Plains/Upper Midwest see occasional flurries and brisk winds; Southeast spots a few coastal showers with cool, dry interiors.
• Monday–Tuesday: A quick northern-tier disturbance brings light snow and breezy conditions to parts of the Dakotas, Upper Midwest, and Great Lakes. Southwest deserts trend dry and occasionally breezy; Delta and Southeast see increasing cloudiness and scattered showers.
• Wednesday–Thursday: Another Pacific impulse refreshes rain/snow in the Northwest and northern Rockies; California north and coast have a low-to-moderate chance of light rain. Central U.S. temperatures moderate briefly ahead of a developing front; showers begin edging into the Mississippi Valley and Southeast.
• Friday: A broader front sweeps east, bringing scattered rain south of the Ohio Valley and mixed wintry precipitation north. Cooler, drier air settles in behind the front from the Plains into the Midwest and eventually the East.

Top Weather Risks to Monitor This Week

• Frost/Freeze: High likelihood of multiple frost-prone nights in California’s Central Valley and the interior Southeast, especially on clear, calm nights.
• Livestock Stress: Wind chill events in the Northern Plains, Upper Midwest, and interior Northeast during early-week and again after the late-week front.
• Field Access: Intermittent wet periods in the Pacific Northwest and along the Gulf/Atlantic coasts mid-to-late week; brief dry windows elsewhere for maintenance and preparation.
• Transport and Logistics: Fog delays in California’s Central Valley; mountain pass snow in the Northwest and northern Rockies; breezy days in the Plains and Southwest that may affect light equipment and produce transport.

Actionable Guidance for Producers

• Schedule sensitive harvest, pruning, and spraying during midday dry windows; anticipate fog delays in California valleys.
• Stage frost protection for orchards and winter vegetables in the Central Valley and interior Southeast; monitor wind/sky conditions each evening.
• Bolster windbreaks, bedding, and water access for livestock ahead of early-week and late-week cold/windy periods in northern regions.
• Plan grain and input transportation around lighter wind and precipitation windows; allow extra time for Northwest passes.
• Review fire-weather plans for the High Plains on warm, windy days early to midweek.