Note to readers: This agricultural weather briefing is written without access to live observation feeds. The 24-hour recap is a high-level synthesis suitable for planning context; always verify local conditions and short-fuse hazards with the National Weather Service and your state Extension.

National overview

Early February typically brings a fast, active jet stream across the United States, with quick-moving clippers across the Northern tier, occasional Gulf-fed storm systems across the South and East, and intermittent Pacific waves affecting the West. That pattern generally means frequent temperature swings, periodic wind, and alternating dry/wet windows that matter for winter wheat, calving operations, overwintered specialty crops, and winter fieldwork.

Recent 24 hours: What growers likely faced

Across many U.S. farm belts in the past day, producers contended with a winter mix that commonly characterizes this time of year:

  • Northern Plains and Upper Midwest: Seasonable to cold conditions with scattered light snow or flurries in spots, variable wind, and slick rural roads in places.
  • Central Plains: Breezy, dry to occasionally light wintry precipitation where weak disturbances passed; rangeland and feedlot conditions varied from firm to muddy depending on prior moisture.
  • Corn Belt: Cloud patches and intermittent light snow or drizzle in parts of the western and northern Belt; quieter elsewhere with typical winter chill.
  • Great Lakes and Northeast: Lake-effect snow showers in favored belts where winds aligned, otherwise cold and dry intervals.
  • Delta and Southeast: Patches of light rain or drizzle along segments of the Gulf Coast and Lower Mississippi Valley; cooler north, milder near the coast.
  • Florida: Scattered showers in the peninsula with variable humidity; interior areas cooler at night where skies cleared.
  • Southern Plains: Mostly dry with periods of wind; temperature swings typical for early February.
  • West Coast and Interior West: Intermittent light rain along the Pacific Northwest coast with mountain snow in the Cascades; California’s interior valleys generally dry with areas of overnight/morning fog where winds were light; Intermountain West remained seasonally cold with localized snow showers.
  • Southwest deserts: Predominantly dry, cool mornings and mild afternoons favorable for winter vegetables, with occasional breezes.

Operationally, the mix translated into routine winter challenges: managing energy needs for livestock during cold snaps, watching for frost/freeze in fruit and vegetable areas, protecting sensitive nursery stock, and balancing fieldwork in short dry windows between light precipitation events.

The next 7 days: National pattern and agricultural implications

The week ahead should feature a continued fast flow aloft, favoring quick-hitting systems. Expect alternating 24–48 hour spells of precipitation and wind followed by brief lulls. The most impactful agricultural themes:

  • Temperature swings: Two to three notable pushes of colder air are possible across the Northern tier and into the Midwest, with milder breaks in between. Southern areas trend variable but largely seasonable to slightly cool during frontal passages.
  • Precipitation corridors: Elevated odds for light to moderate precipitation along common storm tracks—Pacific Northwest into the Northern Rockies; occasional Central/Southern Plains to Mid-South and Southeast waves; and clipper-type snow across the Upper Midwest/Great Lakes. California’s main producing valleys see more dry than wet time, with fog episodes where winds relax.
  • Wind: Periodic windy days on the Plains and in the Southwest around frontal passages, affecting rangeland stress and evaporative demand on small grains and forage.
  • Freeze considerations: Interior Southeast and portions of the Southern Plains may see one or two light to moderate radiational freeze nights behind fronts; deeper freezes most likely in typical cold pockets. Florida’s major citrus zones trend mostly above severe-damage thresholds but should monitor any clear, calm post-frontal night.

Region-by-region 7-day outlook

Pacific Northwest (western WA/OR, Columbia Basin)

  • Temperatures: Near to slightly below seasonal normals inland; milder along the coast.
  • Precipitation: Onshore systems bring periodic light to moderate rain west of the Cascades; recurring mountain snow supporting seasonal water supply. Showery interruptions possible in the Columbia Basin but many hours remain workable.
  • Field impacts: Orchard pruning and vineyard work see delays during wet hours; mud management needed in low spots. Livestock comfort dips during windy, wet periods; provide windbreaks and dry bedding.

California (Central Valley, coastal produce districts)

  • Temperatures: Seasonable days, cool nights. Patchy valley fog on calmer nights may reduce morning field access and harvest visibility.
  • Precipitation: Limited. Best chances tied to weak glancing systems; mountains favored over valleys.
  • Field impacts: Good harvest/fieldwork windows between fog episodes. Monitor frost for citrus/almonds/leafy greens on clear, calm nights; wind machines and irrigation may be needed in colder pockets.

Southwest deserts (AZ, far SE CA, NM valleys)

  • Temperatures: Cool mornings, mild afternoons; occasional cooler day behind a front.
  • Precipitation: Low chances overall; isolated light showers if a disturbance clips the region midweek.
  • Field impacts: Favorable harvest/planting for winter vegetables; watch for dust with afternoon winds and manage bee activity schedules on calmer windows for pollination-sensitive crops.

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

  • Temperatures: Repeated cold shots separated by brief moderation.
  • Precipitation: Light snow events with blowing/drifting risk on windy days; accumulations generally modest but impactful for travel and livestock.
  • Field impacts: Calving stress risk on cold, windy days; ensure windbreaks, bedding, and accessible water. Snow provides moisture but complicates logistics.

Northern/Central Plains (eastern Dakotas, NE, KS)

  • Temperatures: Variable; one or two notable cold fronts with subfreezing days, then rebounds.
  • Precipitation: Light snow or mixed precipitation in fast-moving bands; totals variable. Southern tier (KS) could see a light rain-to-snow event if a southern stream wave materializes.
  • Field impacts: Winter wheat largely dormant; heave risk low where snow cover persists, higher on exposed fields during temperature swings. Windy intervals increase cattle energy demands.

Southern Plains (OK, north/central TX, TX Panhandle)

  • Temperatures: Seasonable to cool with 1–2 post-frontal chilly nights.
  • Precipitation: Spotty; best chances with a passing southern system—light rain favored over snow except in the Panhandle/High Plains if colder air aligns.
  • Field impacts: Short, workable field windows; monitor small grains for burn-back after radiational freezes. Fire-weather episodes possible on warm, windy prefrontal afternoons.

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

  • Temperatures: Choppy; quick-moving cold shots with a day or two of moderation in between.
  • Precipitation: Light snow events or flurries common in the north/west; mixed light precip possible farther south/east with southern-track waves.
  • Field impacts: Transportation and livestock operations face periodic disruptions from slick roads and wind chills. Overwintering cover crops benefit from moisture but remain largely dormant.

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

  • Temperatures: Near to slightly below normal behind fronts; milder ahead of them.
  • Precipitation: One or two rain episodes likely as Gulf moisture is tapped; locally moderate totals under any slow-moving boundary.
  • Field impacts: Fieldwork windows short; manage drainage in low fields. Winter wheat and cover crops gain moisture; disease pressure may tick up during damp, mild stretches.

Southeast (AL, GA, Carolinas, VA Piedmont)

  • Temperatures: Variable; brief, shallow freezes inland after fronts, milder near the coast.
  • Precipitation: Periodic rain bands with frontal passages; Appalachians see light snow at higher elevations.
  • Field impacts: Saturated topsoils possible where multiple rounds overlap; plan equipment movement for drier hours. Protect early bloomers in inland fruit areas on clear, calm post-frontal nights.

Florida

  • Temperatures: Mostly seasonable; brief cool-downs after fronts. Isolated cold pockets inland may flirt with light freeze thresholds on the coldest night.
  • Precipitation: Scattered showers with fronts, mainly light to moderate.
  • Field impacts: Citrus and winter vegetables generally favorable; monitor for radiational frost in interior groves and row-crop areas; deploy micro-sprinklers/wind machines as needed.

Mid-Atlantic and Northeast

  • Temperatures: Chilly overall with transient thaws.
  • Precipitation: Light snow with clipper systems; coastal lows—if they form—could bring mixed precipitation or heavier snow to selected corridors.
  • Field impacts: Livestock cold stress on windy days; maple operations watch for freeze–thaw cycles; orchard pruning may be limited by wind and cold.

Risk highlights to monitor

  • Freeze thresholds:
    • Citrus: Significant damage risk typically begins near 26–28°F for 2+ hours depending on variety and canopy management.
    • Small grains/forages: Hardened wheat/rye tolerate short dips well below freezing; injury risk increases during late-winter green-up.
    • Fruit buds: Inland Southeast and Mid-Atlantic early bloomers are vulnerable on clear, calm nights; employ site-specific frost protection.
  • Wind and fire weather: Watch for prefrontal warm, dry, windy afternoons on the Southern High Plains—limit hot work and manage residue to reduce ignition risk.
  • Excess moisture: Delta/Southeast rains could stack up midweek, raising ponding and rutting concerns in low fields; plan around the driest multi-hour windows.
  • Livestock: Provide windbreaks, dry bedding, and reliable water access during back-to-back cold/windy days across the Northern tier and High Plains.

Planning guidance

  • Schedule fieldwork in 24–36 hour dry lulls between systems; prioritize fertilizer/herbicide applications ahead of wetter intervals while avoiding saturated soils.
  • Stage frost protection assets now in Southeast specialty crops and Florida interior groves; monitor local dew points and sky cover to refine decisions.
  • Use portable wind fencing and bedding stockpiles ahead of colder, windier periods in Plains and Northern tier cow–calf operations.
  • For West Coast operations, anticipate morning fog delays in Central Valley and intermittent wet interruptions in the Pacific Northwest; align harvest and pruning crews accordingly.

For site-specific forecasts, advisories, and short-term warnings (freeze, wind, dense fog, flooding), consult your local National Weather Service office and Extension specialists.