Note for readers: This report provides a national, agriculture-focused synthesis of recent conditions and a generalized 7‑day outlook based on typical late‑February patterns and common synoptic setups. For exact, real‑time observations and pinpoint forecasts at your farm or field, please refer to your local National Weather Service office (weather.gov) and state extension resources. Conditions can change quickly.

National overview

Late winter across the United States typically brings sharp day‑to‑day swings as the jet stream steers frequent systems from the Pacific into the Rockies and onward across the Plains, Midwest, and Northeast. The South and Southeast often ride the boundary between cool, dry pushes and humid Gulf air, creating scattered rain chances and occasional thunderstorms. In the West, storm tracks determine whether the week favors cool, wet periods with mountain snow or quieter, cool mornings with broad afternoon sun. For agriculture, the result is a patchwork of fieldwork windows, intermittent mud and travel constraints, frost risk on clear nights, and episodic wind that can stress livestock and small grains.

Last 24 hours: agriculture impacts at a glance

  • Temperature: Large diurnal ranges in the interior West and High Plains are common this time of year; morning frost remains a recurring issue for orchards, nurseries, and early vegetables in frost‑prone valleys. The southern tier generally trends milder, but radiational cooling can still produce patchy frost inland on clear, calm nights.
  • Moisture: Light, fast‑moving showers or wintry mix episodes are typical along frontal zones from the Central Plains through the Midwest and into the Northeast. Along the Gulf Coast and parts of the Southeast, scattered showers can add to topsoil moisture while leaving short, workable breaks between bands.
  • Wind: Post‑frontal breezes frequently follow late‑winter systems on the Plains and across the Corn Belt, producing elevated evaporation rates, blowing dust risk on bare fields, and stress for livestock during colder spells.
  • Western precipitation: When Pacific systems are active, valley rain and mountain snow increase runoff and recharge; if the pattern is quieter, fields see good drying but cold morning lows.
  • Field conditions: Expect a mosaic—some areas firm enough for manure hauling and herbicide burn‑downs, others muddy with ruts likely if entered too soon. Rural road load restrictions remain a consideration in freeze‑thaw zones.

Regional details

Midwest / Corn Belt (Dakotas, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Missouri)

Last 24 hours: Late‑winter fronts often bring a mix of light rain or snow with brisk winds, followed by colder, drier air. Where skies cleared overnight, refreezing and slick spots are common; where clouds lingered, soils remain damp and slow to firm.

Next 7 days:

  • Temperatures: Variable. Expect alternating days of seasonable chill and brief moderation; morning lows cold enough for re‑freeze in northern zones.
  • Precipitation: Intermittent, generally light to moderate with passing waves; northern tier favored for snow chances, central/southern zones for rain or wintry mix near transitions.
  • Field impacts: Short, 1–2 day drying windows are possible; avoid compaction in saturated pockets. Watch wind‑driven soil loss on unprotected, tilled ground.
  • Livestock: Wind chills after frontal passage can be notable; maintain windbreaks and dry bedding.

Northern Plains (Montana, Wyoming plains, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska Panhandle)

Last 24 hours: Typical pattern features clipper‑type systems or downslope breaks. Clear nights allow strong cooling; daytime sun modestly warms exposed fields.

Next 7 days:

  • Temperatures: Wide swings; cold mornings, milder afternoons on sunny days. Periodic arctic‑source shots are still possible.
  • Precipitation: Generally light and episodic; snow chances with passing disturbances, especially north/east.
  • Field impacts: Freeze–thaw cycles keep topsoil tender by afternoon; monitor for blowing snow or dust depending on ground cover.

Southern Plains (Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas Panhandle and Rolling Plains)

Last 24 hours: Fronts commonly sweep through with gusty winds; lee‑side warming can preface drylines and cloud breaks, while post‑frontal air cools quickly overnight.

Next 7 days:

  • Temperatures: Highly changeable; warm sector days may run well above normal, with sharp cool‑downs behind fronts.
  • Precipitation: Scattered showers/storms possible along boundaries; otherwise dry stretches favor fieldwork but raise fire weather concerns on windy, low‑humidity days.
  • Crops/livestock: Winter wheat benefits from intermittent moisture but is vulnerable to freeze during jointing—monitor lows and be prepared for protective measures.

Delta and Mid‑South (Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, western Kentucky)

Last 24 hours: Gulf moisture often supports scattered showers and patchy fog; breaks allow partial drying and pre‑plant activity where soils permit.

Next 7 days:

  • Temperatures: Mild overall with occasional cool shots; frost risk mainly in interior, clear nights.
  • Precipitation: Periodic showers and a few thunderstorms along fronts; heaviest bands typically narrow and fast‑moving.
  • Field impacts: Expect alternating workable windows and short weather delays; watch rutting risk and compaction if entering fields too soon.

Southeast (AL, GA, FL, SC, NC, southern VA)

Last 24 hours: Varied—coastal and peninsula zones trend warmer and more humid; inland areas can see cool mornings and patchy frost where skies cleared.

Next 7 days:

  • Temperatures: Seasonable to warm days, cool nights inland. Localized frost possible in sheltered valleys on clear nights outside the Gulf/Atlantic marine influence.
  • Precipitation: Scattered showers and isolated storms with frontal passages; coastal zones may see more frequent light rain.
  • Horticulture: Blooming stone fruit and early vegetables remain frost‑sensitive—stage frost protection plans and monitor dew points and wind overnight.

Northeast (PA, NY, New England, northern Mid‑Atlantic)

Last 24 hours: Typical late‑winter mix—rain south/coast and snow or wintry mix inland/elevation with frontal waves; brisk post‑frontal winds.

Next 7 days:

  • Temperatures: Chilly overall with short thaws possible; refreeze at night is common.
  • Precipitation: Periodic light to moderate events; snow favored inland and at higher elevations.
  • Field impacts: Mud and soft ground in lower elevations during daytime thaws; maple sap runs benefit from freeze–thaw cycles.

California Central Valley and Central Coast

Last 24 hours: Conditions oscillate between calm, cool, foggy mornings and storm‑driven rain episodes depending on Pacific activity. Cold dawns can nip tender buds in outlying orchards.

Next 7 days:

  • Temperatures: Cool nights; pleasant afternoons on dry days. Frost pockets possible in wind‑sheltered orchards and vineyards.
  • Precipitation: Outlook toggles with storm track—plan for at least one opportunity for light to moderate rain if systems stay progressive; mountain snow boosts water supply.
  • Field impacts: Short, high‑quality spray windows on calm, dry afternoons; delay ground operations if subsoil remains saturated from recent events.

Pacific Northwest (WA, OR, ID valleys)

Last 24 hours: Onshore flow often yields light rain west of the Cascades and snow in the mountains; interior basins are cooler with larger diurnal ranges when skies partially clear.

Next 7 days:

  • Temperatures: Cool; freezing nights persist in interior valleys.
  • Precipitation: Periodic light to moderate rain west side; snow in Cascades/Blues; showers at times in interior with rain/snow mix near passes.
  • Field impacts: Soft fields and limited trafficability in lowlands during wetter spells; frost protection routines remain relevant for early bud stages.

Southwest Deserts (AZ low deserts, Imperial Valley, NM Rio Grande)

Last 24 hours: Predominantly dry with large day‑night temperature ranges; brief disturbances can bring breezy conditions and a stray shower higher terrain.

Next 7 days:

  • Temperatures: Mild afternoons, cool to chilly dawns; occasional breezy periods elevate evapotranspiration.
  • Precipitation: Low probability overall; any showers would be localized and light.
  • Field impacts: Excellent harvest and planting windows; monitor winds for spray timing and pollen movement.

Intermountain West and Rockies (UT, CO, NV, western WY/MT)

Last 24 hours: Clear spells bring cold nights; passing systems deliver mountain snow and valley rain/snow mix, affecting livestock movement and rangeland access.

Next 7 days:

  • Temperatures: Cold mornings; moderate afternoons on sunny days. Valleys susceptible to inversions and frost.
  • Precipitation: Periodic snow at elevation; lighter, showery events in lower valleys.
  • Field impacts: Rangeland muddy during thaw periods; calving operations should plan for wind‑chill and wet snow episodes.

Seven‑day hazard outlook for producers

  • Frost/Freeze: Continued risk for frost inland across the Southeast, California interior valleys, the Pacific Northwest interiors, and the Southwest’s cooler basins on clear, calm nights. Protect blooming orchards and early vegetable starts.
  • Heavy rain/flash flooding: If the Pacific storm track stays active, watch the West Coast and adjacent ranges for periods of heavier precipitation and snowmelt contribution. In the East, any slow‑moving frontal wave could concentrate a stripe of moderate to heavy rain—monitor local forecasts.
  • Snow and mixed precipitation: Northern Plains, Upper Midwest, interior Northeast, and mountainous West remain favored for snow with passing disturbances. Plan for travel delays and limited field access.
  • Wind: Post‑frontal wind events are likely in the Plains and Midwest; localized strong winds possible along the Gulf states with any thunderstorms. Secure light equipment and provide livestock windbreaks.
  • Severe weather: Low to moderate, mainly along the western/central Gulf Coast and lower Mississippi Valley if a stronger system taps Gulf moisture. Hail and brief tornadoes are not out of the question in that corridor during late winter—stay weather‑aware.
  • Fire weather: Elevated risk on the Southern High Plains under warm, dry, and breezy conditions, especially where grasses cured over winter.
  • Soil moisture and fieldwork: Expect a patchwork of 1–3 day windows between systems in the Plains, Corn Belt, and Delta; longer windows in the Southwest. Avoid creating compaction layers in freeze–thaw zones by limiting axle loads when subsoil remains saturated.

What this means for operations

  • Row crops: Use short dry windows for burn‑down applications; target calm afternoons. In the Southern Plains and Delta, time nitrogen topdress on small grains ahead of light rain; avoid heavy rain windows to limit volatilization and runoff.
  • Orchards and vineyards: Prepare frost mitigation (wind machines, microsprinklers, row covers) for clear, calm nights. Monitor canopy wetness duration to manage disease pressure after any showers.
  • Vegetables and specialty crops: Stage transplant protection for radiational frost; schedule fungicide rotations if consecutive wet days are forecast.
  • Livestock: Line up bedding and windbreaks ahead of post‑frontal cold and wind. Ensure waterers are functional where overnight freezing persists.
  • Logistics: Anticipate rural road restrictions in freeze–thaw areas; prioritize deliveries during frozen mornings or after sufficient drying.
  • Irrigation and water management: In the West, track reservoir inflows and snowpack updates; in the Southwest deserts, expect increased ET on windy, sunny days—adjust sets accordingly.

Resources for localized, real‑time decisions

Pair this regional guidance with your nearest forecast office’s 7‑day details, hour‑by‑hour trends, and any watches, warnings, or advisories that could affect fieldwork, livestock, and transport.