Merced, CA – A freeze warning remains in effect across central California, including the San Joaquin Valley, as temperatures are expected to drop as low as 30°F overnight.
According to the National Weather Service in Hanford, areas such as Merced, Visalia, Hanford, and Delano are under the warning until 9 a.m. Wednesday. The cold snap could damage crops, sensitive plants, and unprotected outdoor plumbing, prompting residents to take immediate precautions.
Experts recommend covering vulnerable vegetation or moving it indoors, as well as insulating exposed pipes. Allowing faucets to drip can help prevent freezing in outdoor plumbing.
The frost and freezing conditions may have widespread agricultural impacts, particularly in areas with ongoing crop harvests. Farmers and residents should take proactive measures to minimize losses.
The freeze warning is expected to lift by mid-morning Wednesday as temperatures rise. However, authorities caution that similar cold conditions could return in the coming days. Residents are urged to monitor weather updates and prepare for extended periods of frost.