Portions of Northern California and southern Oregon are set to face a freeze watch on Friday and into the weekend as temperatures could drop to 26 degrees.
Newsweek reached out to the National Weather Service (NWS) via email Thursday night for comment.
Why It Matters
The early onset of freezing conditions in recent weeks in other portions of the United States posed risks to agriculture, landscaping and property, while testing the preparedness of farmers, homeowners and local infrastructure against unexpected cold snaps.
As warnings and watches extend, agricultural producers and residents are urged to take immediate measures to safeguard crops, sensitive vegetation and plumbing, with economic consequences possible if precautions are not taken.
“Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing,” the watch warns.
What To Know
The watch in California is in effect for the northwestern portion of Modoc County and the northeastern quadrant of Siskiyou County. In Oregon, central and eastern Lake County and Klamath Basin, including Klamath Falls, Chiloquin, Dorris, Tulelake, Lakeview and Alturas, are under the watch as well, the NWS says.
The watch begins Friday night and will continue until Saturday morning, the NWS says. “Sub-freezing temperatures of 26 to 32 are possible. Colder temperatures are also possible Saturday night,” the watch notes.
Below is a map of the impacted regions from the NWS:
Other portions of the state, including Central California, are expected to see snow return to the region, NWS Hanford says.
“A cold Pacific storm will sweep through the area allowing precipitation to come down as snow. This snow is expected over the higher terrain of the Sierra. #CAwx,” the post said in part.
What People Are Saying
NWS Weather Prediction Center, on X Thursday: “For those fall leaf peepers this weekend, a stark temperature contrast may be felt. A cold front moving through the West will bring below average temperatures in the 40s and 50s with rain and mountain snow, while the upper Midwest will feel summery with temps. in the upper 80s.”
What Happens Next
The freeze watch is projected to expire by Saturday.
Residents are advised to continue monitoring NWS updates, as forecasts and conditions can change rapidly with shifting weather patterns. Official guidance includes safeguarding plants, animals and plumbing until temperatures stabilize.
