Extreme Cold Warning Issued for North Bay, East Bay, and Central Coast Regions

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in San Francisco CA has issued an Extreme Cold Warning for multiple regions across the North Bay, East Bay, and Central Coast. This alert indicates that dangerously cold conditions are likely to impact the area.

Affected Areas

The warning covers a broad geographic area including:

• North Bay Interior Mountains and Valleys
• East Bay Interior Valleys and Hills
• Eastern Santa Clara Hills
• Southern Salinas Valley, Arroyo Seco, and Lake San Antonio
• Santa Lucia Mountains and Los Padres National Forest
• Interior Monterey County and San Benito County, including Pinnacles National Park

What You Should Do

Residents are advised to take the following precautions to ensure safety:

• Heating Safety: Ensure portable heaters are working properly and are used correctly to avoid fire hazards. Never use generators or grills indoors due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Personal Protection: Dress in multiple layers if you must be outdoors.
• Animal Care: Ensure pets and livestock have adequate food, unfrozen water, and warmth.
• Plant Protection: Cover or tend to sensitive crops and vegetation, as the cold may damage or kill them.
• Warming Centers: Check with local city or county officials for the locations of available warming centers.

Expected Conditions

Forecasters expect very cold, sub-freezing temperatures ranging from the mid-20s to the low-30s. These conditions pose a significant risk of hypothermia to people, pets, and livestock during prolonged exposure. Sensitive populations, including unhoused individuals, are at particularly high risk.

Timeline

The Extreme Cold Warning is specifically in effect from 1:00 AM to 9:00 AM PST on Friday, February 20.