Cold weather that descended on the Bay Area earlier this week is expected to linger through Friday, with several frost advisories and freeze warnings in effect today and Friday, the National Weather Service announced this morning.
Today, the Bay Area is expected to be sunny, with highs on the coast and inland in the lower 50s. Patchy frost is forecast for the morning, and a frost advisory is in effect until 9 a.m. this morning. North winds of 5 to 10 mph are also expected.
Clear skies and more patchy frost are predicted for tonight, and overnight minimum temperatures are expected to range from the mid 20s in the coldest valleys to the lower 30s in urban areas, according to the weather service. Northeast winds of around 5 mph are expected, and a frost advisory will also be in effect from 1 a.m. until 9 a.m. Friday.
Mostly sunny skies are predicted for Friday, along with coastal and inland highs in the upper 50s. Variable winds around 5 mph are also anticipated.
The record-setting cold air mass has created areas of freezing and sub-freezing temperatures across the Bay Area and California’s Central coast, the weather service said.
Other parts of the Bay Area and surrounding regions will be affected by frost advisories that are also in effect until 9 a.m. today and again Friday from 1 a.m. to 9 a.m.
All Bay Area counties except Solano County are expected to be affected by the freeze warning and frost advisories, with parts of Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Benito counties also forecast to experience shiver-inducing lows.
In the hardest hit areas, freezing temperatures could be sustained for four hours or longer.
Temperatures at or below 28 degrees can damage or kill sensitive vegetation, and the weather service recommends taking precautionary measures to protect plants.
Patricia Decker, Bay City News
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