National Overview for U.S. Agriculture

Early February keeps the nation in an active late-winter pattern: quick-moving disturbances track across the northern tier, occasional Gulf moisture fuels showers in the South, and the West sees on-and-off Pacific systems bringing rain and mountain snow. For producers, the main themes are temperature swings, intermittent precipitation that alternates mud with brief, workable windows, and persistent wind in the open country of the Plains and interior West.

Because weather impacts vary sharply over short distances, use this national outlook as a strategic guide and pair it with your local National Weather Service forecast and field-level observations before making operational decisions.

Last 24 Hours: Snapshot Across Key Agricultural Regions

• Northern Plains and Upper Midwest: Many locations experienced mid-winter conditions with pockets of light snow, flurries, and breezy periods that lowered visibility at times. Cold morning wind chills have kept livestock cold stress a consideration.
• Corn Belt: Conditions ranged from dry and cold to periods of light rain/snow depending on the track of passing waves. Soils are largely dormant; where temperatures fluctuated, patchy refreeze created slick spots on rural roads.
• Central and Southern Plains (winter wheat, cattle country): Predominantly dry stretches were punctuated in spots by a weak front or a quick shower. Where skies cleared overnight, frost formed, especially in low-lying fields.
• Delta and Lower Mississippi Valley: Scattered showers and a few rumbles of thunder in places; otherwise cloudy intervals and mild-to-cool temperatures maintained elevated surface moisture in poorly drained fields.
• Southeast and Florida specialty crops: On-and-off showers in some coastal and inland belts; breaks in between allowed brief field access. Humidity remained elevated in many areas.
• California and the Southwest (Central Valley, desert produce): The West Coast remained influenced by Pacific moisture. Mountain areas saw periods of snow, while valleys experienced rain or drizzle and, where skies cleared, overnight fog pockets.
• Pacific Northwest: Showers persisted with snow in the Cascades and higher terrain; valley precipitation was mainly light to moderate.
• Intermountain West and Rockies: Wintry conditions with intervals of snow in higher elevations; cold nights in basins and plateaus.

Net effect on agriculture: intermittent travel slowdowns from wintry precipitation and fog, limited fieldwork windows in wetter corridors, and continued benefit to Western snowpack where mountain snow persisted.

Seven-Day Outlook: What Producers Should Plan For

Through the next week, expect a familiar February setup: a couple of Pacific systems move into the West and weaken across the Rockies; fast-moving waves ripple through the northern tier; and the South periodically taps Gulf moisture. Day-to-day details will vary locally, but the following region-by-region guidance highlights the most likely themes and on-farm implications.

Northern Plains (Dakotas, Montana, northern Nebraska, eastern Wyoming)

• Temperatures: Generally cold to seasonably cold with at least one reinforcing push of chill. Brief moderation is possible between fronts, but nighttime wind chills remain a concern for livestock.
• Precipitation: Light, fast-hitting snow events or flurries are possible with clipper-type disturbances; accumulations are usually light but can be wind-driven.
• Field and herd impacts: Snow and wind can glaze lots and ranch roads; continue shelter and windbreak planning for calves and late-gestation cows. Ice formation on stock tanks is likely on the coldest nights.

Upper Midwest and Western/Upper Corn Belt (MN, WI, IA, northern IL)

• Temperatures: Up-and-down pattern—cool shots following light snow, then brief milder intervals ahead of the next wave.
• Precipitation: One to two light events likely—flurries to light snow north, rain/snow mix south depending on daytime temperatures.
• Impacts: Rural travel may be slick around event windows; soils remain frozen to semi-frozen. Livestock water lines should be monitored during colder snaps.

Central Corn Belt and Ohio Valley (MO, IL, IN, OH, southern IA)

• Temperatures: Near to slightly above normal at times, with quick cool-downs behind fronts.
• Precipitation: Periodic light rain or mixed precipitation; a more organized band is possible if a southern stream disturbance taps better moisture.
• Impacts: Muddy lots and field approaches after any rain; short, workable dry windows likely between systems for equipment maintenance and preparation.

Central and Southern Plains (KS, OK, TX Panhandle, west TX)

• Temperatures: Variable—mild periods between fronts, with a couple of cooler pushes. Radiational freezes are possible on clear, calm nights, especially in the High Plains.
• Precipitation: Generally limited; isolated light rain or brief wintry mix with frontal passages. Many areas stay largely dry.
• Impacts: Winter wheat benefits from milder interludes; dry, breezy days can elevate rangeland fire risk—secure loose mulch and check windbreaks. Stock water levels should be monitored where winds and dry air increase consumption.

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

• Temperatures: Seasonable to mild, with a cool-down behind any late-week front.
• Precipitation: Several rounds of showers likely; a couple could be steady with embedded thunder near the Gulf moisture corridor.
• Impacts: Field access remains spotty; drainage ditches should be cleared. Brief rises on smaller streams possible where heavier showers occur.

Southeast (AL, GA, Carolinas) and Florida

• Temperatures: Near to slightly above normal on average; a cool-down follows any frontal passage with a night or two of elevated frost risk inland if skies clear.
• Precipitation: Intermittent showers; a few thunderstorms possible closer to the Gulf and Atlantic coasts. Florida can see quick-hitting downpours interspersed with dry breaks.
• Impacts: Disease pressure remains elevated for vegetable and specialty crops under humid stretches; citrus and berries should be monitored for marginal cold nights inland. Window-based spraying should target lighter-wind, lower-humidity gaps between rounds of showers.

Northeast (PA, NY, New England)

• Temperatures: Oscillating around seasonal norms—cool behind systems, milder ahead.
• Precipitation: Mixed events likely, with rain south/coast and snow or wintry mix inland and higher elevations.
• Impacts: Rural and secondary roads can become slick quickly with transitions. Orchard pruning windows will exist between systems, but footing may be soft or icy; maple operations should anticipate variable sap runs.

California (Central Valley, coastal ranges) and Desert Southwest

• Temperatures: Cool-to-mild days; cool nights. Fog is possible in interior valleys during post-frontal clear spells.
• Precipitation: One or more Pacific waves likely. Valleys see periods of rain; higher terrain gets accumulating snow. Desert locales are mostly dry but can catch a passing shower near fronts.
• Impacts: Central Valley fieldwork constrained during wetter days; tree and vine orchards benefit from continued chill accumulation. Mountain snowpack accrual supports downstream irrigation outlooks; monitor foothill runoff where rain falls over existing snow.

Pacific Northwest (WA, OR, ID valleys and Cascades)

• Temperatures: Cool overall with seasonable valley highs.
• Precipitation: Frequent showers; mountain snow remains likely and beneficial to snowpack.
• Impacts: Saturated topsoil in lowlands can limit machinery access; livestock should have shelter from persistent drizzle and wind. Snow load considerations continue at higher elevations.

Intermountain West and Rockies (UT, CO, WY high plains, NM high country)

• Temperatures: Cold nights with basin inversions; seasonable days when sun breaks through.
• Precipitation: Periodic snow in mountains; lighter amounts in adjacent valleys with some dry intervals between waves.
• Impacts: Snowpack improvements aid spring water supply; monitor calving areas for icy footing and wind exposure on ridge-adjacent pastures.

Hazards and Opportunities

• Freeze/Frost: Interior Southeast and portions of the Southern Plains can see a night or two of frost if skies clear post-front. Protect early-blooming ornamentals and sensitive specialty crops.
• Heavy Precipitation: Western slopes and coastal ranges have the highest chance for periods of heavier rain and mountain snow. Localized runoff issues are possible where soils are saturated.
• Wind: Breezy to windy conditions are likely in the Northern Plains, High Plains, and Great Basin around frontal passages—secure light structures, plastic, and irrigation components.
• Thunderstorms: Best chance near the Gulf Coast and parts of Florida with any moisture return. Severe weather probability appears limited on a national scale but cannot be ruled out locally; monitor local outlooks.
• Fire Weather: On the drier, warmer, and windier days in the Southern and Central Plains and parts of the Southwest deserts, fine fuels can ignite easily—adjust burning plans and equipment use accordingly.

Soil Moisture, Snowpack, and Water Supply Notes

• West: Continued mountain snow favors snowpack in the Sierra, Cascades, and central/northern Rockies, supporting spring irrigation prospects. Valleys may experience short-lived ponding during heavier showers.
• Plains and Corn Belt: Light precipitation events maintain or slowly improve topsoil moisture in some areas, but many locations rely on spring recharge; deep frost limits infiltration where soils remain frozen.
• Delta and Southeast: Repeated showers keep fields moist to saturated in poorly drained areas; ditch and tile maintenance remains important ahead of heavier rounds.

Operational Planning Guide (Next 7 Days)

• Livestock: Prepare for wind chill events in the Northern Plains and northern Rockies; ensure dry bedding and windbreaks. In wetter southern areas, prioritize drainage and footing in high-traffic lots.
• Fieldwork: Target short dry spells in the Corn Belt and Delta for maintenance and soil sampling where accessible. In California and the Northwest, schedule orchard work for days between rain bands; expect soft ground.
• Inputs and Applications: Aim for lighter-wind periods in the Southeast and Delta for spray work; avoid saturated soils to prevent rutting and compaction.
• Infrastructure: Secure loose covers, hoop-house plastic, and irrigation lines ahead of windy intervals in the Plains and interior West. Verify backup power for critical operations in regions expecting wet snow or ice.

Confidence is moderate for temperature trends (cool pulses interspersed with milder breaks) and moderate-to-low for precise precipitation timing and coverage outside the West, where Pacific-driven waves are more likely. Always confirm county-specific details with your local forecast before acting.