National overview for U.S. agriculture

Over the last 24 hours, producers across the country contended with mid-winter conditions typical of late January: periodic snow across the northern tier, chilly mornings in the central and eastern states, scattered light rain in parts of the Southern Plains and Gulf Coast, and mixed rain–snow events in higher terrain of the West. Fog and low stratus affected several interior valleys in the West, while brisk winds periodically reduced visibility and elevated livestock stress on the High Plains.

Looking ahead through the next 7 days, an active but not extreme pattern favors recurring systems tracking from the West into the central U.S., then the East. This supports bouts of rain from the Southern Plains to the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic, occasional snow across the Northern Plains, Upper Midwest, interior Northeast, and higher elevations of the West, and short-lived temperature swings around seasonal norms. The West’s mountain snowpack is poised for incremental gains; the Southeast faces additional frost risk on a couple of nights; and winds will bring intermittent stress for livestock and winter wheat across open-country areas of the Plains.

Regional breakdown

Pacific Northwest (WA, OR, ID)

Last 24 hours

  • Onshore flow brought periods of rain to coastal lowlands and valley locations, with mountain snow over the Cascades and northern Rockies.
  • Temperatures hovered near seasonal levels; patchy fog in sheltered valleys during quieter intervals.

Next 7 days

  • Precipitation: 0.5–2.0 inches liquid equivalent west of the Cascades; 0.25–1.0 inch east of the mountains; 6–18 inches of new snow in the Cascades and northern Rockies at higher elevations.
  • Temperatures: Near to slightly below average overall; brief milder breaks ahead of passing fronts.
  • Winds: Breezy along exposed coasts and passes during frontal passages.
  • Impacts: Continued snowpack building supports spring water supply; intermittent fieldwork windows between fronts west of the mountains; saturated low spots may remain soft.

California (Central Valley, coastal ranges, Sierra Nevada)

Last 24 hours

  • Low clouds and areas of dense morning fog in interior valleys; spotty light precipitation in northern and coastal zones; Sierra elevations saw light snowfall.
  • Cool nights with localized frost in inland valleys where skies cleared.

Next 7 days

  • Precipitation: Northern and central coastal/valley areas 0.25–1.0 inch; Sierra 6–12 inches of snow at higher elevations; southern interior largely lighter totals with hit-or-miss showers.
  • Temperatures: Near to slightly above average daytime highs in valleys when fog lifts; cool nights maintain frost potential early in the week where skies clear.
  • Fog: Recurring late-night and morning tule fog in the Central Valley during quieter periods.
  • Impacts: Gradual Sierra snowpack gains; short, usable fieldwork windows in the Central Valley between systems; citrus and tender specialty crops should maintain frost protection readiness.

Southwest and Desert Southwest (AZ, NM, southern NV, UT)

Last 24 hours

  • Generally dry to spotty light showers; mountain locales saw flurries with a passing disturbance.
  • Cooler nights; mild afternoons in desert valleys.

Next 7 days

  • Precipitation: Light, with 0.10–0.40 inches in favored upslope/foothill regions; 2–6 inches of high-elevation snow in northern AZ and NM ranges possible.
  • Temperatures: Near seasonal; chilly nights persist where skies clear.
  • Impacts: Mostly favorable conditions for winter fieldwork; brief wet/soft periods near higher terrain after showers.

Northern Rockies and High Plains (MT, WY, western Dakotas)

Last 24 hours

  • Bands of light to moderate snow affected parts of the region; winds picked up in open-country areas, briefly reducing visibility.
  • Temperatures trended colder with wind chills adding livestock stress.

Next 7 days

  • Precipitation: Periodic light snow, generally 1–4 inches per event; localized higher totals in terrain-favored zones.
  • Temperatures: Near to below average with several colder nights; short-lived warmups between waves.
  • Winds: Intermittently gusty, especially along the Front Range and open plains.
  • Impacts: Calving/livestock cold stress risk during windy, colder spells; travel disruptions during snow bursts; snow improves soil moisture recharge where ground is not deeply frozen.

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

Last 24 hours

  • Patchy light rain or mixed precipitation in southern sectors; flurries/light snow in northern zones; variable winds.
  • Temperatures fluctuated near seasonal, colder where skies cleared overnight.

Next 7 days

  • Precipitation: 0.10–0.50 inches for much of KS/OK/northern TX; locally 0.75–1.25 inches toward the Red River and into the Lower Plains with midweek system; light snow (1–3 inches) possible north of the main rain shield.
  • Temperatures: Near seasonal overall; brief warmups ahead of fronts; cooler behind.
  • Winds: Occasional gusts 25–40 mph with frontal passages, highest in open terrain.
  • Impacts: Beneficial moisture for drought-stressed pastures where rain falls; wind can stress exposed winter wheat and livestock; short fieldwork windows between systems.

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

Last 24 hours

  • Light snow and snow showers in the Upper Midwest/Great Lakes; pockets of light rain/mix farther south.
  • Cold mornings produced icy spots; winds locally breezy near lakes.

Next 7 days

  • Precipitation: Upper Midwest/Great Lakes 0.10–0.40 inches liquid equivalent mainly as snow (1–4 inches, locally more in lake-effect belts); central/southern Corn Belt 0.25–0.75 inches as rain or a rain/snow mix with midweek system.
  • Temperatures: Near to slightly below average north; near average south; several subfreezing nights regionwide.
  • Impacts: Periodic slick travel; limited fieldwork outdoors; soil frost maintains dormancy—protects winter wheat where snow cover is adequate.

Delta and Lower Mississippi Valley (AR, LA, MS, western TN)

Last 24 hours

  • Scattered light rain showers; otherwise seasonably cool and damp.

Next 7 days

  • Precipitation: 0.75–1.75 inches, heaviest midweek into late week with a Gulf-enhanced system; localized heavier pockets possible.
  • Temperatures: Near to slightly above average daytime highs ahead of the system; cooler behind the front.
  • Impacts: Helpful soil moisture recharge; brief ponding in low fields with heavier downpours; limited fieldwork windows until late in the period.

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

Last 24 hours

  • Cool, dry air promoted widespread morning frost inland; patchy light showers near the Gulf/Atlantic coast in spots.

Next 7 days

  • Precipitation: 0.50–1.50 inches for much of the region, highest along the Gulf Coast and Carolinas with a mid-to-late-week system; lighter totals in the Florida Peninsula outside of passing bands.
  • Temperatures: Near to slightly below average; multiple frost/freeze nights inland away from coasts, especially early and late in the week under clear skies.
  • Impacts: Frost management needed for citrus, strawberries, and winter vegetables; wet soils briefly limit field access after midweek rain; pasture conditions vary with rainfall distribution.

Northeast and Mid-Atlantic (PA, NY, New England, NJ, MD, DE, VA interior)

Last 24 hours

  • Scattered snow showers and light accumulations inland; rain or a rain/snow mix along parts of the coastal plain; breezy conditions near the Great Lakes and higher terrain.

Next 7 days

  • Precipitation: 0.25–0.80 inches liquid equivalent; inland areas favor snow (2–6 inches over several days) with lake-effect bursts; coastal plain sees more rain with some mixing north of major cities.
  • Temperatures: Near to slightly below average; repeated subfreezing nights inland.
  • Impacts: Periodic travel disruptions; maple and timber operations see cold, manageable conditions between systems; snowpack modestly increases away from the coast.

Seven-day pattern at a glance

  • Early week: A Pacific wave brings rain and mountain snow to the Northwest and northern California, lighter showers into the interior West; a weak system brushes the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest with light snow; cool, dry mornings with frost inland across the Southeast.
  • Midweek: A stronger central U.S. system organizes, drawing Gulf moisture into the Southern Plains, Delta, and Southeast with a swath of rain; wintry mix/snow on the northern flank from the Central Plains into the Midwest; breezy to windy conditions accompany frontal passages.
  • Late week: The system shifts to the East, spreading rain along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts and mixed precipitation inland across the Northeast; cooler, drier air follows across the central states with renewed frost potential in the South; the West readies for the next, weaker disturbance.

What this means for producers

  • Fieldwork windows: Short, opportunistic breaks between systems in California’s Central Valley, parts of the Southwest, and the central Plains. Limited windows across the Delta and Southeast until after mid-to-late week rains move through.
  • Winter wheat: Wind and brief cold snaps can stress exposed stands on the Plains; light snow and intermittent moisture benefit stands where coverage occurs. Monitor for desiccation during gusty periods.
  • Livestock: Northern Rockies/High Plains and Northern Plains see intermittent cold and wind—provide windbreaks and ensure access to unfrozen water. Mud management may be needed in parts of the Southern Plains and Delta after midweek rains.
  • Specialty crops: Prepare frost protection inland across the Southeast on several nights; maintain monitoring for tule fog in California valleys (harvest/transport safety); protect sensitive desert valley crops from radiational cooling on clear nights.
  • Irrigation/snowpack: Expect incremental mountain snowpack gains in the Cascades, northern Sierra, and northern Rockies, supporting late-winter water supply outlooks.

Key expected ranges by region (next 7 days)

  • Pacific Northwest: 0.5–2.0 inches liquid; mountain snow 6–18 inches; near to slightly below-normal temps.
  • California: Coast/valleys north-central 0.25–1.0 inch; Sierra snow 6–12 inches; valley frost risk on clear nights.
  • Southwest/Deserts: 0.10–0.40 inches favored higher terrain; 2–6 inches high-elevation snow; seasonable temps.
  • Northern Rockies/High Plains: Light, periodic snows totaling a few inches; breezy spells; cooler than average at times.
  • Central/Southern Plains: 0.10–0.50 inches broad coverage; 0.75–1.25 inches local maxima south; gusty fronts.
  • Midwest/Corn Belt: 0.10–0.75 inches liquid equivalent; snow favored north with 1–4 inches typical; near to slightly below-normal temps north.
  • Delta/Lower Mississippi: 0.75–1.75 inches rain; modest warming ahead of front; cooler behind.
  • Southeast: 0.50–1.50 inches rain; multiple frost/freeze nights inland; cooler-than-average nights.
  • Northeast/Mid-Atlantic: 0.25–0.80 inches liquid; inland snow 2–6 inches spread over multiple events; near to slightly below-normal temps.

Operational notes

  • Plan labor and equipment around brief, clearer intervals for field access; prioritize drainage maintenance where heavier rain is likely (Delta, Gulf Coast, Southeast).
  • Stage frost mitigation tools for inland Southeast specialty crops and California valley orchards; verify fuel and irrigation availability for overnight protection.
  • Secure tarps and lightweight structures ahead of windy periods on the Plains and interior West; check waterers and shelters for livestock during cold, breezy nights.
  • Use local National Weather Service forecasts and advisories for site-specific timing, especially for any freeze warnings, dense fog advisories, and wind headlines.