Extreme cold warning issued for parts of the Bay Area and Central Coast, California
An Extreme Cold Warning was issued for parts of the San Francisco Bay Area, California, including interior Monterey County, San Benito County, and the eastern Santa Clara Hills. The warning will be in effect from 01:00 to 09:00 PST on January 9, 2026. Temperatures are forecast to drop below freezing, posing hazards to unhoused populations, livestock, and sensitive crops.
Image credit: NWS
Extremely cold overnight conditions are forecast across parts of the Bay Area and Central Coast in San Francisco. Warning areas include interior Monterey County, including the Santa Lucia Range, the Cholame Hills, and the southern Salinas Valley. Most of San Benito County and the eastern Santa Clara Hills will see similar conditions.
The warning will be in effect from 01:00 to 09:00 PST on January 9. Minimum temperatures are forecast to range from −4 to 0°C (25 to 32°F) across the warning areas through early Friday morning.
The cold air mass may result in frost formation and freezing conditions capable of damaging or destroying unprotected vegetation and crops, warned the National Weather Service (NWS).
A Cold Weather Advisory is in effect for the same time period for East Bay Hills and Valleys, Monterey Bay and the Big Sur Coast, and the Marin Hills. The Santa Cruz Mountains, the Santa Clara Valley, the North Bay Interior Valleys, and the Northern Salinas Valley/Hollister Valley and Carmel Valley are also under the advisory.
The agency warned that exposure to these temperatures may cause hypothermia in people and animals without adequate shelter or insulation.
Residents are advised to ensure that portable heaters are used safely to prevent fire and carbon monoxide risks, avoid using generators or grills indoors, and verify the availability of local warming centers.
Authorities urged the public to dress in layers, provide food and unfrozen water for pets and livestock, and protect sensitive plants and crops from frost damage.
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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