Editor’s note: Conditions can vary widely over short distances in winter. Use this briefing to plan at the field or ranch scale, and pair it with authoritative local forecasts from the National Weather Service, state mesonets, or your extension service for site-specific decisions.

Recent 24-hour snapshot across U.S. agriculture regions

Over the past day, growers and ranchers across the country navigated a winter pattern typical for late January: cold to seasonably cold air across the northern tier, milder but changeable conditions in the South, and intermittent Pacific-driven moisture into the West. This mix translated into variable fieldwork windows, ongoing freeze management for sensitive crops, and continued attention to livestock cold stress where wind chills trended lower.

• Northern Plains and Upper Midwest (spring wheat, corn/soy belt edges): Widespread subfreezing temperatures favored snowpack preservation where present and limited melt. Breezy spells elevated wind chills for livestock. Any light snow or flurries mainly affected travel and lot conditions rather than soil moisture recharge.
• Central Corn Belt: Seasonally cold air maintained frozen or semi-frozen topsoil layers, reducing rutting risk but keeping tile flow slow. Pockets of light wintry precipitation in spots and cloud cover limited diurnal warming.
• Southern Plains (winter wheat, cattle): Cooler mornings with frost in places contrasted with milder afternoons. Where skies cleared, radiational cooling increased freeze risk in low-lying fields; where cloudier, temperatures held steadier. Pasture conditions remain variable, with dormant forage typical for the season.
• Delta and Mid-South: A recent mix of dry intervals and passing showers maintained patchy wet field spots, with temperatures largely supportive of overwintering small grains and cover crops. Brief fog or low clouds reduced drying rates early in the day.
• Southeast (row crops off-season, citrus/vegetables in FL/GA): Intermittent showers and moderate humidity persisted in some areas. Overnight lows ranged from cool inland to milder near the coast. Freeze risk concentrated inland and in sheltered locations.
• Northeast (dairy, specialty crops): Cold conditions dominated, with occasional light snow or rain/snow mix south and coastal. Storage, transport, and animal care continued to focus on freeze protection and feed access.
• Pacific Northwest (wheat, specialty crops): Onshore flow supported periodic rain in valleys and snow at elevation, aiding mountain snowpack but creating muddy conditions in lower fields between drying breaks.
• California (Central Valley produce, orchards, vineyards): Cool mornings with patchy fog contrasted with seasonable afternoons. Valley inversions limited mixing at times. Intermittent light precipitation in parts of the state supported soil moisture without widespread disruption.
• Southwest deserts (winter vegetables, forage): Largely dry with cool mornings. Irrigation scheduling continued as the primary moisture driver.
• Rockies/Intermountain West (livestock, hay): Cold to very cold in higher basins with mountain snow maintaining snowpack. Wind exposure heightened animal energy needs.

Seven-day agricultural weather outlook and risks (through February 4)

Expect a classic late-winter pattern with periodic fronts and waves crossing the central and eastern U.S., and renewed Pacific moisture affecting parts of the West. Confidence is generally medium for temperature trends and medium-to-variable for precipitation placement and intensity.

Temperature

• Northern Plains/Upper Midwest: Persistently cold with multiple mornings well below freezing. Limited thawing; livestock cold stress remains a recurring concern on breezier days.
• Central Corn Belt: Near- to slightly-below-normal temperatures. Short midday thaws possible south of I-80 on sunnier days, but refreeze each night keeps soils firm.
• Southern Plains: Cool starts with gradual moderation late period. A few mornings near or below freezing north and west; reduced freeze risk by early next week.
• Delta/Mid-South: Seasonably cool to mild. Freeze threats mainly in northern counties on the coldest mornings; otherwise supportive of small grains and cover crops.
• Southeast: Mild days with intermittent cool nights inland. Brief radiational freezes possible where skies clear and winds slacken.
• Northeast: Cold persists, with occasional short-lived moderation between systems. Freeze protection for infrastructure and stored products remains necessary.
• West: Cooler near passing systems. California Central Valley mornings remain cool with localized frost pockets; the Southwest stays seasonably cool.

Precipitation

• Pacific Northwest and Northern Rockies: Repeated rounds of valley rain and mountain snow. Beneficial to snowpack; expect periodic muddy field conditions and travel impacts.
• California: Intermittent light to locally moderate precipitation episodes possible, mainly north and along the coast/foothills. Central Valley sees scattered light events with usable breaks for orchard operations.
• Southwest deserts: Predominantly dry; any showers are brief and localized.
• Plains to Midwest corridor: Several weak to moderate disturbances. Northern tier skews wintry (light snow, occasional mixed precipitation), central belt may see mixed light events with modest moisture contributions and frequent dry windows.
• Delta and Southeast: One or two rain episodes likely. Totals vary; localized heavier bands could slow field traffic briefly, with quick drying behind fronts.
• Northeast: Periodic light snow or mixed precipitation events, with coastal areas occasionally seeing rain. Watch for slick conditions and short-lived slush accumulation.

Wind and storm hazards

• Great Plains to Midwest: Frontal passages bring gusty spells, especially on the northern Plains. Wind chills can drop quickly; provide livestock windbreaks and maintain water access.
• Gulf Coast and Southeast: Isolated strong storms possible along/just ahead of a front late in the period; severe threat looks localized. Monitor local alerts.
• West Coast: Coastal and higher terrain gusts accompany Pacific systems; ensure orchard/vine trellising and coverings are secured.

Fieldwork and crop implications

• Winter wheat (Southern Plains to Midwest): Cold favors dormancy stability. Light moisture events are generally beneficial; avoid grazing on saturated fields. Late-period moderation in the south supports tillering where moisture is adequate.
• Overwintering corn/soy residue management (Corn Belt): Frozen mornings remain optimal for traffic; plan heavier passes in early day before diurnal softening.
• Citrus and winter vegetables (FL/GA): Maintain frost protection readiness on clear, calm nights inland; recovery conditions during afternoons are supportive.
• Tree nuts, stone fruit, vineyards (CA Central Valley): Patchy radiation frost risk in calm, clear mornings; monitor cold air pooling. Intermittent light rains aid moisture but require timing for ground access.
• PNW fall-seeded wheat: Beneficial moisture continues; watch for waterlogging in poorly drained spots after repeated rains.
• Livestock (Northern half of U.S. and high terrain West): Ongoing cold and periodic winds increase energy demands; keep bedding dry and waterers ice-free.

Regional week-at-a-glance

• Northern Plains/Upper Midwest: Frequent subfreezing highs, light snow chances every couple of days. Best travel/field windows arrive in the lighter-wind intervals between weak systems.
• Central Corn Belt: Quiet stretches punctuated by light precip. Plan logistics around nightly refreeze; midday offers limited thaw access in the south.
• Southern Plains: Mostly dry early; a light event possible mid-to-late period north/east. Gradual warm-up supports wheat condition where moisture is sufficient.
• Delta/Mid-South: One or two rain days amid several workable days; watch for brief, locally heavy showers along a passing front.
• Southeast: Intervals of showers with mild days; isolated strong storms not ruled out with frontal passage late. Inland frost pockets on clear nights.
• Northeast: Cold pattern with scattered light snow/mix events; supply chains should plan for occasional slippery periods.
• Pacific Northwest: Multiple moisture rounds; snowpack builds. Field access limited right after each system, improving during breaks.
• California: Mixed dry periods and light systems; valley operations see fog/frost management early, workable afternoons many days.
• Southwest: Predominantly dry; cool mornings persist. Irrigation and harvest proceed with minimal weather interruption.

Soil moisture and water considerations

• West: Repeated mountain snow maintains snowpack; valley soils in the PNW remain wet. Central Valley receives incremental recharge without widespread flooding under the current pattern.
• Central/Eastern U.S.: Light-to-moderate, intermittent precipitation favors gradual topsoil replenishment without major runoff. Saturated pockets linger where recent rains were heavier.
• Southwest: Continued reliance on irrigation scheduling; monitor evapotranspiration rates under cool, dry air and adjust sets accordingly.

Management checklist for the week ahead

• Time heavy equipment passes in the Corn Belt to morning freeze windows to minimize compaction and rutting.
• Stage windbreaks and high-energy rations for northern-tier livestock ahead of gusty, colder days.
• Maintain frost protection readiness for Southeast and Central Valley perennial and vegetable crops on clear, calm nights.
• In the PNW, scout for waterlogging and root disease pressure after repeated rain; ensure field drains are clear.
• Check and winterize irrigation and chemigation equipment where overnight freezes persist.
• For Delta/Southeast fields, plan around one or two rain days; use dry breaks for fertilizer applications where soils are firm enough.

Safety and monitoring

• Track local frost/freeze advisories, wind chill warnings, and any strong-to-severe thunderstorm outlooks in the Gulf/Southeast states.
• Use reliable local networks (e.g., state mesonets, NWS) for hourly updates on temperature, wind, and precipitation to refine day-of operations.
• On fog-prone mornings in California and the Southeast, delay transport until visibility improves.