Extreme Cold Warning Issued for Monterey and San Benito Counties; Temperatures to Drop to 24 Degrees

Alert Details

The National Weather Service (NWS) San Francisco CA has issued an Extreme Cold Warning (ECW) for portions of the California Central Coast. This alert indicates that dangerously cold conditions are likely and residents should take immediate precautions to protect life and property.

Affected Areas

The warning covers the following geographic regions:

• Santa Lucia Mountains and Los Padres National Forest
• Mountains of San Benito County
• Interior Monterey County, including Pinnacles National Park
• Cholame Hills in Southeast Monterey County

What You Should Do

Residents in the affected areas are advised to take the following actions:

• Heating Safety: Ensure portable heaters are working properly and used correctly to avoid indoor fires. Never use generators or grills inside, as this can lead to fatal carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Wellness Checks: Make frequent checks on older family members, friends, and neighbors to ensure they have adequate warmth and shelter.
• Personal Protection: Dress in multiple layers if you must be outdoors.
• Animal Care: Ensure pets and livestock have adequate food, warmth, and access to unfrozen water.
• Plant Protection: Cover or tend to sensitive crops, plants, and vegetation to prevent damage or death.

Expected Conditions

Forecasters expect very cold conditions with temperatures dropping as low as 24 degrees Fahrenheit. These conditions pose a significant hazard to sensitive populations, particularly unhoused individuals. Prolonged exposure to these temperatures will lead to hypothermia for people, pets, and livestock. Additionally, the extreme cold may damage or kill sensitive agricultural crops and residential vegetation.

Timeline

The Extreme Cold Warning is effective from midnight tonight until 9:00 AM PST Wednesday, February 18, 2026.