Santa Maria, CA – Parts of Southern and Central California are waking up to a hard freeze this morning as Freeze Warnings remain in effect until 8 a.m. PST for the San Luis Obispo County Interior Valleys and the Antelope Valley.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS) Los Angeles, temperatures have fallen below freezing across both regions, with lows ranging from 24 to 32 degrees. The coldest readings were observed across the Antelope Valley, affecting communities such as Lancaster, Palmdale, and Lake Los Angeles. Interior valleys of San Luis Obispo County, including Shandon, Creston, and Carrizo Plain, are also experiencing freezing conditions.
Forecasters warn that the combination of sub-freezing temperatures and prolonged exposure could damage or kill unprotected crops, sensitive vegetation, and outdoor plumbing. Residents are urged to cover plants, bring pets indoors, and insulate vulnerable pipes before temperatures begin gradually warming after sunrise.
The freeze is the latest in a series of colder-than-normal nights across Southern California, driven by clear skies and dry air following recent offshore flow. While temperatures will warm through the afternoon, similar overnight cold spells may return later this week.
NWS officials say the Freeze Warning will expire at 8 a.m., but lingering frost may still be present on shaded surfaces after sunrise.
