California — A Freeze Warning is in effect across large portions of California’s Central Valley through 10 a.m. PST Saturday, raising concerns for agriculture, sensitive vegetation, and unprotected plumbing.
According to the National Weather Service office in Hanford, morning low temperatures are expected to drop as low as 31 degrees in parts of the San Joaquin Valley. The warning was issued early Friday morning and remains in effect through Saturday morning.
The warning covers multiple forecast zones, including Merced, Madera, Mendota, Planada, Le Grand, Snelling, Caruthers, San Joaquin, Selma, Delano, Wasco, Shafter, Hanford, Corcoran, Lemoore, Visalia, Porterville, Reedley, and the Southeast San Joaquin Valley. Cities within the warning area include Merced, Madera, Visalia, Tulare, Hanford, Porterville, Delano, Wasco, Selma, Corcoran, and Atwater.
The National Weather Service warned that frost and freeze conditions could kill crops and other sensitive vegetation and may damage unprotected outdoor plumbing. Agricultural areas are particularly vulnerable during prolonged overnight freezing conditions.
Residents and growers are urged to take precautionary measures, including covering tender plants, bringing sensitive vegetation indoors when possible, and protecting exposed pipes from freezing temperatures.
Freeze warnings are issued when temperatures are expected to fall to or below freezing long enough to cause damage to plants and infrastructure. Even brief exposure to sub-freezing temperatures can result in crop losses during the winter growing season.
Conditions are expected to improve later Saturday morning as temperatures rise above freezing. Additional cold mornings may still be possible depending on overnight cloud cover and wind conditions.
Residents are encouraged to monitor official National Weather Service updates and local forecasts for any extensions or additional cold weather advisories.
