Note to readers: This report provides region-by-region agricultural weather context tailored to late-January conditions across the United States and outlines key risks to monitor over the next seven days. For precise, location-specific observations from the last 24 hours and definitive forecasts, consult your local National Weather Service office, state mesonet, or Extension service.

Context From the Last 24 Hours (Agricultural Lens)

Late January typically features strong temperature gradients, quick-moving storm tracks, and frequent freeze–thaw cycles. While exact local conditions vary, the following patterns commonly influence fields and livestock at this time of year:

Pacific Northwest (PNW small grains, seed crops, forage)

  • Low-elevation rain and higher-elevation snow often keep soils wet; field equipment access is limited in many valleys.
  • Freezing levels can oscillate quickly, affecting orchard and vineyard cold-hour accumulation and disease pressure.
  • Wind along gaps and east–west corridors may cause localized lodging in overwintering cereals where snow cover is sparse.

California (Central Valley specialty crops, coastal vegetables, dairy)

  • Radiational fog in the Central Valley during calm, clear nights can reduce solar exposure and suppress daytime warming.
  • Periodic valley rain and Sierra snowfall support reservoir recharge but can slow orchard floor work and nutrient applications.
  • Cold night pockets maintain frost risk in low-lying orchards and vineyards; wind machines and irrigation protection may be active.

Southwest Deserts (AZ, Imperial Valley CA, NM pecans/chile)

  • Cool nights with occasional frost in sheltered fields; daytime warmth remains modest where cloud cover lingers.
  • Dry, gusty episodes can loft dust and stress leafy greens; windbreaks and careful irrigation timing help reduce abrasion.

Northern Rockies and High Plains (MT/WY/CO rangeland, barley, sugar beets)

  • Strong frontal passages frequently drive sharp temperature drops and wind chills; livestock energy demand rises rapidly.
  • Snow cover varies widely; bare ground increases winterkill risk for exposed winter wheat.

Northern Plains and Upper Midwest (ND/SD/MN/WI spring wheat, dairy)

  • Deep cold snaps and blowing snow events are common; wind chills can be hazardous for outdoor operations and livestock.
  • Light, dry snow contributes little to soil moisture but insulates overwintering crops where it persists.

Central Plains (NE/KS) and Southern Plains (OK/TX) winter wheat, cattle

  • Temperature swings and intermittent light precipitation can create patchy glaze and muddy feedlot conditions.
  • Warm, windy interludes elevate rangeland fire risk; cold shots maintain freeze stress on jointing-susceptible wheat.

Corn Belt and Ohio Valley (IA/IL/IN/OH/MI corn–soy rotations, hogs)

  • Freeze–thaw cycles soften topsoil by day and refreeze at night; compaction risk rises with ill-timed traffic.
  • Mixed precipitation bands—rain, snow, or ice—are seasonally plausible along frontal boundaries.

Delta and Mid-South (AR/MS/LA/TN cotton, rice, soybeans)

  • Waves of Gulf moisture can bring soaking rains; poorly drained fields stay saturated, slowing pre-plant fieldwork.
  • Cool, damp conditions favor small grain disease pressure; scouting conditions often marginal due to mud.

Southeast and Florida (GA/AL/SC/FL vegetables, peanuts, citrus)

  • Radiational frost and occasional hard freezes remain a risk inland; coastal areas benefit from marine moderation.
  • Short-lived warmups spur early bud activity in sensitive species; subsequent cold snaps can damage new tissue.

Mid-Atlantic and Northeast (PA/NY/VT/ME dairy, orchards, maple)

  • Coastal systems and inland clips produce a patchwork of rain, snow, and mixed precipitation.
  • Snowpack where present insulates perennials; rain-on-snow increases runoff and ice accretion risks.

Seven-Day Agricultural Weather Outlook and Risks to Monitor

Expect fast-changing conditions typical of late January. Use the following region-by-region signals to fine-tune fieldwork, livestock care, frost protection, and logistics. Check local forecasts daily for timing and magnitude.

Pacific Northwest

  • Storm cadence: Watch for 1–2 additional Pacific disturbances. Expect alternating wet periods and brief breaks for limited field access.
  • Freezing levels: Monitor rapid shifts; valley cold pools can sustain frost even when mid-slope temperatures rise.
  • Impacts: Saturated lowlands, orchard disease pressure following wet leaf hours, and occasional gap winds affecting trellised crops.
  • Actions: Time pruning and copper/fungicide applications during dry breaks; maintain drainage around perennial blocks.

California

  • Fog vs. frontal passage: In calmer stretches, anticipate dense tule fog; with fronts, expect improved visibility but wet soils.
  • Frost risk: Clear nights keep radiation freezes in play in cold pockets; citrus and almonds remain sensitive.
  • Mountains: Additional Sierra snow remains likely; travel logistics for inputs may be affected over passes.
  • Actions: Stage wind machines and microsprinklers; plan harvest/fieldwork windows around fog clearing and post-front winds.

Southwest Deserts

  • Nighttime lows: Several radiational cooling nights possible; localized frost in low spots.
  • Winds: Breezy to windy afternoons around frontal passages may drive evapotranspiration spikes and dust.
  • Actions: Adjust irrigation to reduce dust abrasion on leafy crops; deploy frost cloth or targeted irrigation on frost-prone acreage.

Northern Rockies and High Plains

  • Arctic-front risk: One or more strong fronts could drop wind chills to dangerous levels.
  • Snow and blowing snow: Light to moderate events may reduce visibility and create crusting on rangeland.
  • Actions: Increase energy-dense feed ahead of cold shots; provide windbreaks and ensure unfrozen water access.

Northern Plains and Upper Midwest

  • Temperature volatility: Expect large diurnal swings with periodic subzero wind chills.
  • Precipitation type: Light, powdery snow most likely; a brief mixed-precip window is possible near any warm surge.
  • Actions: Protect livestock from wind exposure; schedule manure hauling during colder mornings to reduce rutting.

Central and Southern Plains

  • Freeze–thaw cycling: Continues to stress shallow-rooted and poorly established winter wheat.
  • Wind: Warm, dry, gusty days may elevate grassfire risk on dormant rangeland.
  • Precip chances: Light snow or freezing drizzle possible with passing waves; impactful totals uncertain.
  • Actions: Evaluate wheat stands for heaving; maintain fire breaks and monitor relative humidity on windy warm days.

Corn Belt and Ohio Valley

  • Mixed precipitation risk: Narrow bands of icing are possible along frontal zones; road and yard access may be intermittently hazardous.
  • Soil structure: Repeated thawing softens the top layer; minimize axle loads to reduce compaction.
  • Actions: Stage de-icing materials for sites with frequent traffic; avoid unnecessary field entries during midday thaws.

Delta and Mid-South

  • Gulf moisture returns: Multiple rounds of rain are plausible; monitor ponding and drainage in flat fields.
  • Rivers/streams: Watch for rises where upstream basins receive significant rain or rain-on-snow.
  • Actions: Delay tillage on saturated soils; consider fungicide timing for small grains if prolonged leaf wetness occurs.

Southeast and Florida

  • Frost and hard freeze windows: Inland areas face episodic frost; coldest pockets may flirt with hard-freeze thresholds.
  • Severe weather signal: If Gulf moisture surges ahead of a strong front, brief severe risk (wind/tornado) is possible.
  • Actions: Prepare frost protection for citrus, strawberries, and vegetables; secure high tunnels ahead of windy frontal passages.

Mid-Atlantic and Northeast

  • Coastal storm chances: One coastal system could track near the shoreline; rain/snow line positioning remains a key uncertainty.
  • Ice risk: Cold-air damming east of the Appalachians may favor freezing rain in typical corridors.
  • Actions: Protect exposed perennials from ice loading where possible; plan milk and feed deliveries around storm windows.

Fieldwork Windows and Timing Signals

  • Early Week (Days 1–3): Short breaks between systems in the West; cold shots possible in the Northern Tier; patchy fog in CA valleys.
  • Midweek (Days 4–5): Renewed precipitation chances along southern/eastern storm tracks; watch for icing corridors in the interior East.
  • Late Week (Days 6–7): Another Pacific impulse may reach the West; Plains temperature swings continue; Southeast frost risk on clear post-front nights.

Key Agricultural Thresholds to Monitor

  • Frost/Freeze: Nighttime lows near or below 32°F (0°C) in CA cold pockets, FL interior, Southeast inland valleys, and Southwest low spots.
  • Wind Chill: Subzero wind chills in the Northern Plains/Upper Midwest and High Plains with strong fronts; provide livestock shelter and energy-dense feed.
  • Icing Potential: Wet-bulb temperatures at or below freezing with light precipitation in the Mid-Atlantic/Ohio Valley increase glaze risk.
  • Soil Saturation: >0.5–1.0 inch (13–25 mm) of weekly rain in Delta/Mid-South and Ohio Valley sustains high mud risk and delays field prep.
  • Fire Weather: Relative humidity below 25% with gusts >25 mph on warm Plains days elevates rangeland fire danger.

Operational Recommendations

  • Livestock: Stage windbreaks, bedding, and thawed water access ahead of forecast cold fronts; adjust rations 24–48 hours before major chill.
  • Perennials: Prepare frost protection (wind machines, microsprinklers, covers) for orchards, vineyards, citrus, and berries during clear calm nights.
  • Row Crops and Small Grains: Avoid field entries during midday thaws; scout wheat for heaving and crown hydration injury after oscillating temps.
  • Logistics: Schedule deliveries and hauling around expected icing or mountain pass snow; pre-treat farm lanes where freezing rain risk exists.
  • Drainage: Clear inlets/outlets ahead of heavier rain windows in the Delta/Mid-South and Ohio Valley to reduce ponding and rutting.

Data Check Resources

For precise last-24-hour observations and a detailed 7-day forecast tailored to your fields, consult:

  • Local National Weather Service office (zone and point forecasts, hourly graphs)
  • State mesonet networks for station-level soil temperature/moisture and wind data
  • Cooperative Extension updates and state climatologist briefings for ag-specific decision support