Note to readers: This briefing provides high-level, agriculture-focused context for major U.S. growing regions in mid-January and planning guidance for the coming week. It does not include real-time observations or an official forecast. For precise, location-specific data and any active advisories, consult the National Weather Service (weather.gov) and local extension services.

Regional weather context for U.S. agriculture

Mid-January marks deep winter conditions across much of the country, with frequent temperature swings driven by passing fronts, variable storm tracks, and elevated wind episodes on the Plains. Fieldwork opportunities remain limited in wetter, colder regions; windows are more common in the Southwest and portions of California during dry breaks. Livestock cold stress and freeze protection for specialty crops remain priority issues.

Corn Belt and Upper Midwest (IA, IL, IN, OH, MO, WI, MN, MI)

  • Seasonal context: Expect sharp temperature variability with frontal passages, periodic light to moderate snow in the north and rain/snow mix nearer the Ohio Valley. Wind chills can be significant following Arctic intrusions.
  • Agronomic implications: Soil surfaces often frozen; limited field operations. Watch for ice glazing after mixed-precip events. Livestock barns and waterers require freeze safeguards.
  • What to monitor: Wind-driven cold stress behind fronts; black ice risk after daytime thaw/night refreeze; localized blowing snow reducing visibility.

Northern Plains (ND, SD, MT, WY)

  • Seasonal context: Periodic Arctic air masses with subfreezing highs common; light to moderate snow and gusty winds can produce drifting and hazardous travel.
  • Agronomic implications: Winter wheat hardening generally maintained; risk increases if a warm spell is followed by a rapid freeze without protective snow cover.
  • What to monitor: Wind chills for cattle; snow depth as insulation for winter wheat; post-storm power reliability for well pumps and heat systems.

Central and Southern Plains (NE, KS, OK, TX Panhandle and Rolling Plains)

  • Seasonal context: Highly variable temperatures; dry downs between systems with occasional moisture. Strong north winds behind fronts are common.
  • Agronomic implications: Winter wheat stands benefit from insulating snow but are vulnerable to bare, windy freezes. Stock tanks may ice rapidly during cold snaps.
  • What to monitor: Radiational freezes after clear, calm nights; blowing dust in parched areas; limited but valuable precipitation opportunities.

Delta and Mid-South (AR, LA, MS, western TN, western KY)

  • Seasonal context: Frequent Gulf moisture surges bring rain episodes; brief cold snaps follow frontal passages.
  • Agronomic implications: Saturated topsoils limit field prep; orchard and cane operations watch for freeze windows. Drainage and road access are key after heavy rain.
  • What to monitor: Overnight freezes after rain; river and bayou levels; fog and low ceilings reducing spray opportunities.

Southeast (AL, GA, FL, SC, NC, southern VA)

  • Seasonal context: Frontal rains with embedded thunderstorms; brief, sometimes sharp cool-downs. Coastal areas milder; interior can see hard freezes.
  • Agronomic implications: Citrus, berries, and vegetables require active freeze protection during cold nights; disease pressure elevates after multi-day wet periods.
  • What to monitor: Wet-bulb temperatures on freeze nights; leaf wetness durations; post-frontal spray windows.

Northeast specialty and dairy (PA, NY, VT, NH, ME, MA, CT, RI, NJ, MD, DE)

  • Seasonal context: Mixed precipitation events (snow/sleet/freezing rain) are common; coastal lows can bring heavier snow inland.
  • Agronomic implications: Orchard freeze management continues; roof-load snow and ice, power reliability, and access roads are operational priorities.
  • What to monitor: Ice accretion potential in mixed events; wind gusts along the coast; rapid thaw/refreeze cycles affecting infrastructure.

California Central Valley and Central Coast

  • Seasonal context: Alternating storm systems and dry breaks. Valley fog (Tule) can be persistent during quiet periods.
  • Agronomic implications: Orchard and vineyard dormancy chill accumulation continues; field access limited after storms but improves quickly in dry spells.
  • What to monitor: Freeze pockets in low-lying orchards; storm runoff and localized flooding; fog reducing spray and harvest logistics.

Pacific Northwest (WA, OR, ID)

  • Seasonal context: Frequent Pacific systems; lowland rain with mountain snow. Cold snaps possible east of the Cascades.
  • Agronomic implications: Winter wheat in the inland Northwest benefits from snow cover; orchard freeze protection may be needed during clear, cold nights.
  • What to monitor: River rises after multi-day rains; pass closures affecting feed and supply logistics; east-side temperature drops after frontal passage.

Mountain West and Intermountain (CO, UT, NV, WY high country, AZ high country, NM)

  • Seasonal context: Snow events with significant accumulations at elevation; sunny but cold breaks in between.
  • Agronomic implications: Rangeland and livestock access depend on snowpack; calving protection from wind and wet snow is crucial.
  • What to monitor: Avalanche-prone corridors for transport; bitter overnight lows in valleys; water system freezing.

Desert Southwest (Low deserts of AZ, southern NM, far West TX)

  • Seasonal context: Generally dry with cool nights; occasional Pacific systems bring showers and gusty winds.
  • Agronomic implications: Winter vegetables and citrus watch for radiational freezes; good fieldwork windows during dry stretches.
  • What to monitor: Clear-night frost risk; dust during windy periods; short-notice shower lines impacting harvest/packing.

7-day planning outlook for producers

This is a generalized planning guide for the coming week. For exact timing, amounts, and hazards in your county, use weather.gov and your state extension bulletins.

National themes to watch

  • Front-driven swings: Expect at least one significant frontal passage in many regions, with a 24–48 hour period of colder, windier conditions afterward.
  • Storm track variability: Pacific systems will feed rain and mountain snow in the West before energy ejects into the central and eastern U.S., where precipitation type will depend on local temperatures.
  • Radiational freeze nights: Following clear, calm evenings after frontal passage, inland valleys and low-lying areas may see notable frost/freeze potential.
  • Wind risk: Post-frontal wind gusts on the Plains and coastal low-level jets in the Southeast can create livestock stress, blowing dust, and spray drift concerns.

Fieldwork and operations

  • Corn Belt/Upper Midwest: Anticipate limited field windows; prioritize equipment maintenance and grain handling during dry, calm breaks. Treat remaining ice on farm yards and approaches.
  • Northern and Central Plains: Prepare for a cold, windy window; verify livestock windbreaks and de-icing equipment. Use any mild day for fence and water system checks.
  • Southern Plains and Delta: Watch for 1–2 rain events that may briefly halt ground work. Plan fertilizer and herbicide applications during 24–36 hour drying intervals.
  • Southeast: Schedule citrus and berry freeze protection checks early in the week; aim fungicide or nutrient sprays into post-frontal clear periods.
  • California and Southwest: Target harvest and orchard work during dry, low-wind days. Mitigate frost pockets in orchards and vegetable fields on clear nights.
  • PNW and Mountain West: Allow for weather-related transport delays. Post-storm, inspect orchards for limb load and irrigation frost damage.

Livestock and infrastructure

  • Cold stress: Stage extra feed 24 hours ahead of cold outbreaks; check waterers twice daily during subfreezing stretches.
  • Power resilience: Test generators and fuel supplies before expected storms, particularly in the Northeast, PNW, and ice-prone zones.
  • Road access: Pre-position sand/gravel for icy farm drives; coordinate milk and feed pickup routes around storm timing.

Pest, disease, and crop protection

  • Fungal disease: Monitor leaf wetness periods after multi-day rains in the Southeast and Delta; time fungicide breaks to drying intervals.
  • Frost injury: Use orchard temperature sensors at canopy height; deploy wind machines, microsprinklers, or covers when wet-bulb thresholds approach critical levels.
  • Weed control: Where soils permit, prioritize early pre-emergent programs in drier Plains and Southwest windows to reduce spring pressure.

Action checklist for the week ahead

  • Identify your 48-hour freeze and wind windows using weather.gov or your trusted app; set alerts for subfreezing nights and wind gusts over operational limits.
  • Inspect and winterize water systems, heaters, and backup power. Confirm spare parts on hand for pumps and fans.
  • Stage livestock shelter, bedding, and supplemental feed ahead of forecast cold snaps; verify stock tank de-icers.
  • Plan chemical applications for the first 24–36 hour calm, dry period after rain. Check labels for temperature and dew point constraints.
  • For orchards and vegetables, calibrate frost protection and verify fuel levels. Walk low spots for cold pooling risk.
  • Document field access conditions and prioritize work on highest-drainage fields first after storm systems pass.

Where to get precise, localized updates

  • National Weather Service local forecast: https://www.weather.gov/ (enter city or ZIP)
  • Watches, warnings, and advisories map: https://www.weather.gov/alerts
  • Precipitation analysis (recent): https://water.weather.gov/precip/
  • 6–10 day and 8–14 day outlooks (CPC): https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/
  • State Cooperative Extension services: search “[Your State] Extension weather” for crop-specific guidance

Using these resources alongside on-farm sensors will provide the most reliable 24-hour recap and precise 7-day forecast for your operation.