Note to readers: This report provides a high-level, agriculture-focused synthesis for U.S. growing and ranching regions in mid-February. Without direct access to verified, real-time observations at publication time, the “last 24 hours” discussion below is presented as a generalized operational assessment typical of this time of year. Always confirm site-specific conditions and timing with your local National Weather Service office or trusted on-farm sensors before making critical decisions.

Last 24 hours — operational takeaways for key U.S. agriculture regions

Mid-February commonly brings contrasting conditions across the nation, with winter hazards in northern latitudes, periodic Pacific systems in the West, and changeable temperatures and showers in the South and East. Over roughly the past day, producers across major belts most likely contended with the following operational themes:

  • Northern Plains and Upper Midwest: Episodes of cold wind and occasional light snow or blowing snow can limit cattle comfort and short-haul logistics; icy farm approaches and bin sites remain possible where thaw–refreeze cycles have occurred.
  • Central and Southern Plains: Wide diurnal temperature swings are common; dormant to semi-active winter wheat may face desiccation risk under gusty downslope flow, while brief moisture along passing boundaries can help topsoil where showers occur.
  • West (California, Pacific Northwest, Intermountain): Intermittent Pacific disturbances often deliver valley rain and mountain snow, sustaining snowpack but tightening spray and fieldwork windows in tree fruit, nuts, and vegetables during wet periods.
  • Southwest deserts: Predominantly dry with cool nights; localized frost pockets remain possible in lower-lying fields and near drainageways.
  • Delta and Lower Mississippi Valley: Scattered showers and embedded thunderstorms may have produced brief field-access delays and elevated humidity for small grains and winter cover crops.
  • Southeast: Fast-moving fronts typically bring bands of showers followed by cooler, drier air; patchy inland frost is possible behind frontal passages in colder hollows.
  • Northeast: Early- or late-day mixed precipitation bands are seasonally plausible inland, with rain more common along the coast; winds can be breezy and temperatures variable.

Implications: Livestock cold stress management in northern tier states, selective grazing shifts to windbreaks, closely timed orchard sprays between showers in the West, and vigilance for brief mudding in Southern row-crop ground remain priority considerations.

7-day U.S. agricultural weather outlook

Confidence is moderate for a changeable mid-February pattern featuring periodic Pacific energy moving inland, shortwave systems sliding across the northern tier, and one or two stronger frontal passages influencing the central and eastern United States. Day-to-day details and local timing will vary; use this as a planning framework and refine with local forecasts.

Key national themes

  • West: Multiple waves are likely to maintain a wet/snowy signal — valley rain and significant mountain snow at times. Expect frequent but brief breaks suitable for orchard/vineyard sprays and ground operations.
  • Plains: Temperature swings are favored, with windy intervals. Northern and High Plains can see periodic light snow and cold shots; Southern Plains trend variable with brief warmups and a low-probability window for thunderstorms east of the dryline if a stronger system organizes.
  • Corn Belt and Upper Midwest: Clippers and frontal waves likely bring intermittent light snow/rain with short-lived warm–cold flips; watch for refreeze hazards on rural roads and bins.
  • Delta/Midsouth: Several shower/thunder intervals are possible, some locally heavy. Expect stop-and-go field access and elevated disease pressure on small grains where leaf wetness durations lengthen.
  • Southeast: One or two fronts likely to bring bands of showers. Cooler, drier periods behind fronts may introduce patchy inland frost risk on clear nights.
  • Northeast: Mixed rain/snow events inland with breezy cooldowns between systems; sugarbush operations can see favorable freeze–thaw cycles if temperatures cooperate.

Day-by-day planning guide

  • Days 1–2: Unsettled West with mountain snow; breezy High Plains; scattered showers possible along the Gulf Coast and Southeast with a passing front; light wintry episodes possible in the northern tier.
  • Days 3–4: Another Pacific impulse probable; a stronger central U.S. frontal wave is possible, bringing a band of showers/thunder to parts of the Southern Plains/Delta and mixed precip to the Midwest/Great Lakes; windy sectors develop on the system’s south and west flanks.
  • Days 5–7: Cooler trend east of the Rockies with lingering light snow in lake-effect-prone areas; intermittent West Coast systems continue. Short, cooler, clearer nights raise inland frost risk in the Southeast and parts of the Southern Plains if skies clear and winds relax.

Region-by-region detail

California and the Southwest (specialty crops, vegetables, forage)

Expect periodic valley rain and mountain snow with brief, narrow spray windows between systems. Soil stays moist to wet across coastal and valley fields where showers recur. Watch for:

  • Tree crop disease pressure upticks following wetting events; prioritize sprays in the first dry intervals after rainfall.
  • Low-elevation frost risk on the coldest post-frontal nights in interior valleys; deploy wind machines or microsprinklers as needed for vulnerable citrus and early-blooming stone fruit.
  • Runoff and ponding in poorly drained rows; avoid compaction by deferring heavy equipment until soils drain sufficiently.

Pacific Northwest (small grains, seed crops, orchards)

Frequent light to moderate valley rain and mountain snow maintain soil moisture and snowpack. Fieldwork windows will be short; prioritize high-value sprays and orchard pruning during breaks. Expect cool, damp conditions favorable for fungal pressure when leaf wetness persists.

Intermountain West and Northern Rockies (forage, livestock)

Recurring mountain snow and occasional Plains spillover are likely. Livestock cold stress remains a concern during breezy post-frontal periods. Maintain access to windbreaks and ensure waterers remain ice-free. Road intermittency is possible on open stretches during blowing snow.

Northern Plains (ranching, spring wheat country)

Alternating light snow and cold shots with windy intervals are expected. Calving operations should plan extra bedding and leeward shelter on the windiest days. Expect intermittent logistics friction from ground blizzarding in exposed corridors even when snowfall is light.

Central and Southern Plains (winter wheat, cattle)

Variable temperatures with gusty winds at times. A brief thunder risk is possible east of the dryline if a stronger wave develops midweek; otherwise mainly dry to spotty showers. Key risks:

  • Fire weather potential on warm, dry, windy days in cured rangeland — adjust burn plans and monitor local Red Flag statements.
  • Desiccation stress to wheat during windy, low-humidity periods; assess tiller status and soil moisture before topdressing.
  • Patchy frost on clear, calm nights, particularly in the Panhandle/high plains.

Corn Belt and Upper Midwest (row crops, livestock)

Clipper-type systems likely to bring light snow north and mixed precip south with quick temperature swings. Rural surfaces may alternate between slush/mud and refreeze; time grain hauling and manure applications to the colder morning windows to reduce rutting and road damage.

Delta and Lower Mississippi Valley (winter wheat, early field prep)

Several bouts of showers and thunderstorms are plausible, locally heavy. Expect stop–go field access. Monitor drainage and ruts, and plan nitrogen applications around shorter dry spells to limit volatilization and denitrification losses. Thunderstorms could produce brief strong winds; secure plastic and equipment.

Southeast (specialty crops, small grains, pasture)

Frontal passages bring showers followed by cooler, drier air. Behind fronts, inland frost is possible on clear, calm nights in cold pockets. Protect tender truck-crop transplants and consider row covers where appropriate. Fungal pressure rises where warm-sector humidity persists before frontal clearance.

Northeast (dairy, orchards, maple)

Mixed rain/snow inland with breezy cooldowns between systems. Rural travel can be impacted briefly by slush and black ice. Maple sap flow benefits from freeze–thaw cycles if diurnal spreads are sufficient; orchard pruning windows will be short and best timed to the driest, least windy days.

Field operations and risk management checklist (next 7 days)

  • Livestock: Stage windbreaks/bedding ahead of the windiest/coldest 24–36 hour periods in the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest; verify waterers and backup power.
  • Winter wheat: In the Central/Southern Plains, align topdress N with soil trafficability and a 24–48 hour rain opportunity where feasible; delay on saturated soils to prevent ruts and losses.
  • Tree fruit/citrus: In CA and the Southeast, line up frost protection for the coldest post-frontal nights; prioritize fungicide/bactericide sprays immediately following rain when labels and conditions allow.
  • Row-crop preparation: In the Delta/Southeast, use short dry breaks to repair ruts and service planters; avoid compaction by keeping axle loads low on moist fields.
  • Fire weather: Review burn plans across the Southern/Central Plains; postpone during warm, dry, windy periods and follow local guidance.
  • Transport/logistics: Schedule grain hauling and input deliveries to colder morning windows in freeze–thaw regions to minimize roadbed damage and improve traction.

Confidence and monitoring

Forecast confidence is moderate at the regional scale and lower for precise local timing and amounts, given fast-moving mid-latitude systems typical of February. Monitor updates from your local National Weather Service office (weather.gov), state mesonets, and on-farm sensors for site-specific details, short-fuse advisories, and hour-by-hour adjustments.