Here is a region-by-region agricultural weather brief focused on late-January patterns and what they mean for fields and livestock. It highlights how conditions over the past 24 hours have influenced operations and what the next seven days are likely to bring. For farm-level decisions, rely on local, official forecasts and advisories.

Past 24 Hours: Regional Agricultural Impacts

Pacific Northwest and Northern California

Intermittent Pacific disturbances have kept conditions unsettled, with rain at lower elevations and snow in the Cascades and northern Sierra. Orchard blocks and forage fields likely dealt with saturated soils and limited equipment access, while rangelands benefited from moisture recharge. Wind along exposed valleys and passes may have caused lodging risk for cover crops and plastic mulch disturbance.

Central and Southern California (Central Valley, Coastal Ranges)

Valley rain and periods of drizzle or fog were possible, maintaining high humidity across nut orchards and vegetable acreage. Fieldwork windows have been tight where topsoils remain soft. Mountain snowpack continues to build, supportive of irrigation outlooks, though cold mornings may have introduced patchy frost in sheltered areas.

Southwest and Desert Southwest (AZ, NM)

Mostly dry to spotty showers in higher terrain. Cool mornings and mild afternoons favored winter vegetable harvest schedules, but localized breezes introduced evapotranspiration swings. Rangeland moisture remains variable, with better conditions near recent upslope showers.

Northern Rockies and High Plains

Periodic light snow and brisk winds brought variable visibility and a chill that pressured livestock comfort. Open rangeland and stock ponds saw light recharge where snow occurred. Transport and lot conditions were intermittently slick, with crusting possible where brief thaw/freeze cycles followed light snowfall.

Central and Southern Plains (Winter Wheat Belt, Cattle Country)

Cool, breezy conditions predominated, with pockets of light precipitation. Dormant and semi-dormant wheat generally remained protected, though exposed fields faced wind desiccation. Livestock operations managed notable wind chills, especially overnight and early mornings.

Upper Midwest and Western Corn Belt

Seasonably cold air with scattered light snow or flurries and gusts created some blowing snow in open fields. Frozen topsoils aided equipment movement where snow cover was thin, but any fresh accumulation reduced traction. Bin management remained a priority amid temperature fluctuations.

Eastern Corn Belt and Great Lakes

Lake-effect bands and passing waves produced spotty snow, slush, or mixed precipitation. Rural roads were occasionally slick. Livestock facilities managed moisture and ventilation challenges, while winter wheat in the Ohio Valley stayed largely insulated by cool, damp conditions.

Delta and Mid-South

Cool, seasonable conditions with intervals of cloudiness and light precipitation in spots. Standing water lingered in low fields where recent rains were heavier, slowing ground prep. Overcast periods kept diurnal temperature ranges modest, limiting drying rates.

Southeast (Gulf Coast to Carolinas)

A cool-to-mild regime with areas of clouds, patchy fog, and occasional showers. Citrus and winter vegetable zones monitored for brief radiational chill at daybreak where skies cleared. Saturated pockets persisted in poorly drained soils.

Northeast and Mid-Atlantic

Chilly, damp conditions with periodic light snow or mixed precip, especially inland. Orchard and vineyard blocks managed pruning windows around wet or icy periods. Coastal areas saw breezier conditions that improved drying between showers.

Seven-Day Agricultural Weather Outlook

Expect an active late-January pattern with two primary influences: repeated Pacific impulses affecting the West and intermittent clippers and fronts crossing the northern tier, with Gulf moisture occasionally feeding rains across the South and East. Temperature swings will be notable, with colder intervals favored in the northern Plains and Upper Midwest and milder breaks farther south and along portions of the East.

Pacific Northwest and Northern Rockies

• Precipitation: Multiple rounds of valley rain/mountain snow. Snow levels fluctuating with each wave; fresh snowpack likely in the Cascades and northern Rockies.
• Temperatures: Near to slightly below average; chilly mornings inland.
• Ag impacts: Continued soil saturation; limited orchard and forestry access. Rangelands benefit from moisture but face hoof compaction risks. Watch for wind bursts on frontal passages.

California

• Precipitation: Periodic showers North/Central; lighter and more scattered South. Potential for a more organized system mid-to-late week, especially northern half.
• Temperatures: Seasonable to cool; patchy valley fog and localized frost on calmer, clear nights.
• Ag impacts: Intermittent delays for nut orchard work and vegetable planting/harvest. Continued snowpack accrual supports water outlooks. Maintain drainage in low-lying fields.

Southwest and Four Corners

• Precipitation: Mostly light, favoring high terrain if any; many valley locations remain dry.
• Temperatures: Near seasonable; cool nights with diurnal swings.
• Ag impacts: Favorable harvest/field windows overall. Manage variable ET rates and wind-prone days for tunnel structures and irrigation scheduling.

Central and Southern Plains

• Precipitation: Scattered light events possible midweek; otherwise limited coverage. Heavier swaths not widely favored at this time.
• Temperatures: Oscillating but leaning cool; colder shots behind fronts.
• Ag impacts: Dormant wheat generally stable; monitor wind desiccation and freeze-thaw heaving in exposed fields. Calving operations should plan for wind chill episodes mid-to-late week.

Northern Plains and Upper Midwest

• Precipitation: Light snow chances with passing clippers; localized blowing/drifting in open country.
• Temperatures: Periodic colder-than-normal air; a couple of sharper chill intrusions possible midweek and next weekend.
• Ag impacts: Livestock stress increases during colder/windy spells. Maintain windbreaks and bedding. Watch for ice on lot surfaces and rural routes.

Western and Central Corn Belt

• Precipitation: Intermittent light snow or mixed precip; heavier totals not broadly favored.
• Temperatures: Near to below average, with brief moderation between fronts.
• Ag impacts: Frozen soils aid access unless fresh snow reduces traction. Bin aeration needs careful monitoring with swings in temperature/humidity.

Eastern Corn Belt and Great Lakes

• Precipitation: Light snow/mix episodes and lake-effect periods downwind of the lakes.
• Temperatures: Mostly cool; occasional thaw periods south of the lakes.
• Ag impacts: Winter wheat vernalization remains on track. Manage manure applications around wet/slushy intervals to reduce runoff risk.

Delta and Mid-South

• Precipitation: A couple of rain chances, especially mid-to-late week as Gulf moisture interacts with passing fronts.
• Temperatures: Seasonable; cool mornings, mild afternoons on clearer days.
• Ag impacts: Field drying windows limited where rain lingers. Maintain drainage and monitor river levels where basins are saturated.

Southeast

• Precipitation: Periodic showers; a more organized round possible mid-to-late week along/ahead of a front.
• Temperatures: Near seasonable; inland frost risk on clear, calm nights.
• Ag impacts: Citrus and tender vegetables should be protected during brief radiational cool-downs. Fog may limit early-day harvest and transport.

Mid-Atlantic and Northeast

• Precipitation: Several light events; snow inland, mixed/rain nearer the coast at times. A late-week coastal low is a low-to-moderate probability scenario to watch.
• Temperatures: Cool overall, with short-lived thaws south and coastal.
• Ag impacts: Manage ice risk on farm lanes and around livestock areas. Pruning schedules remain weather-dependent; choose drier, breezier afternoons after light events.

Day-by-Day Planning Outlook

• Days 1–2: Pacific waves favor continued wet/snowy conditions in the Northwest and parts of California; clippers clip the northern Plains/Upper Midwest with light snow and gusts. Southeast sees patchy fog and spotty showers.
• Days 3–4: A front organizes from the Plains toward the Mississippi Valley; light to moderate rain chances increase for the Mid-South and Southeast. Cooler, breezy air follows in the central and northern Plains.
• Days 5–7: The West stays periodically unsettled, especially the Northwest and northern California. A coastal or inland-tracking wave could bring a broader rain/snow swath to the Mid-Atlantic/Northeast; confidence moderate on placement and intensity. Cooler reload possible across the northern tier.

Key Risks and Farm Management Notes

• Livestock cold stress: Highest risk in the northern Plains/Upper Midwest during windy, colder shots mid-to-late week. Ensure windbreaks, bedding, and reliable water access.
• Winter wheat: Wind-driven desiccation and freeze–thaw heaving possible on exposed fields in the central/northern Plains; snow cover variability matters.
• Soil saturation and access: Northwest and parts of California face slow field drying; maintain drainage and minimize heavy traffic to limit compaction.
• Frost and citrus/vegetable protection: Interior Southeast and California valleys can see brief radiational frosts on clear, calm nights; use covers, wind machines, or irrigation as appropriate.
• Transport and safety: Intermittent slick roads in snow belts and where mixed precip occurs; schedule deliveries and livestock movement around the lighter-precipitation windows.

Regional Fieldwork Windows at a Glance

• Best chances: Southwest deserts; portions of the Southern High Plains; brief breaks in the Southeast between showers; interior valleys of the Mid-South on drier days.
• Most limited: Pacific Northwest timber/orchard zones; northern California valleys during rainy periods; northern Plains/Upper Midwest during clipper passages and colder snaps.