Sub-freezing temperatures, dense fog coat the San Joaquin Valley
Lauren Jennings
Portions of the San Joaquin Valley will receive a short break from January’s wet weather — and in its place comes chilly temperatures and thick fog.
A freeze warning is in effect for the area from Monday night into Wednesday morning. Forecasts from the National Weather Service show sub-freezing temperatures may drop as low as 27 degrees.
“Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold,” the National Weather Service said. "Frost and freeze conditions will kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.”
The freeze warning extends as far north as Merced and as far south as The Grapevine south of Bakersfield. The following areas have a chance of seeing temperatures below freezing:
- Merced - 89%
- Madera - 89%
- Hanford - 79%
- Lemoore - 79%
- Visalia - 69%
- Reedley - 69%
- Porterville - 64%
- Delano - 64%
- Fresno - 59%
"Do not use your oven, range, or other heat-generating cooking appliances to heat your home," Cal Fire officials said. "By doing so, you pose multiple, extremely dangerous fire hazards [including] the risk of fire and burns."
A dense fog advisory is also in effect for portions of the San Joaquin Valley – including Highway 99 from Delano to Fresno. Widespread, heavy fog is forecasted through at least Wednesday morning.
“If driving, slow down and use low beam headlights,” the National Weather Service Hanford said. “Keep plenty of distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you.” Visibility may range from 800 feet to as low as 200 feet while the fog is present, according to the National Weather Service.
The weather is a change of pace for the Valley as a region – like the majority of California – has received an overwhelming amount of rain over the last month.
For example, Visalia received just .03 inches of rain over a 24-hour period starting at 9:45 a.m. Sunday, compared to 1.30 inches of rain over a 24-hour period on Jan. 10 – one of the wettest days the city saw this month.
Forecasts show that the rain may not stay away for long as a trough of low pressure could approach Central California on Sunday, bringing more precipitation to the area.