California – Damp air hangs over the San Joaquin Valley this morning, but a sharper chill is building that could send temperatures tumbling toward 30 degrees by daybreak Friday and again Saturday.
According to the National Weather Service in Hanford, a Freeze Watch remains in effect from this evening through Saturday morning for much of the San Joaquin Valley, including Hanford, Visalia, Tulare, and Bakersfield. Forecasters say sub-freezing temperatures as low as 30 degrees are possible, with a moderate chance Friday morning and a high probability by Saturday morning in rural areas.
Today stays milder, with highs near 51 degrees and scattered showers tapering. Skies begin clearing later, setting the stage for efficient nighttime cooling. When clouds break and winds ease, cold air settles fast across open fields and low-lying neighborhoods.
Farmers should act now. Cover sensitive crops and protect irrigation systems. Residents should wrap exposed pipes and bring pets indoors. Even brief dips below 32 degrees can damage citrus and early spring blooms.
Friday rebounds near 50 degrees under mostly cloudy skies, but another clear, calm night follows with lows around 32. Saturday turns mostly sunny and milder, reaching the upper 50s. By Sunday, highs climb into the lower 60s with more comfortable air.
Early next week trends warmer still. Highs approach the mid-60s Monday and Tuesday, signaling a gradual shift toward spring warmth in the extended outlook.
Cold mornings are common in February, but this setup carries agricultural impact. Are you covering plants tonight? Let us know how cold it feels in your neighborhood.
Five Day Outlook for Hanford, CA
Today: Showers, high near 51.
Friday: Mostly cloudy, high near 50.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, high near 57.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, high near 63.
Monday: Slight chance of rain, high near 65.
