Merced to see ‘sub-freezing temperatures’ followed by atmospheric river storm. Here’s when
Merced residents could be “cold as ice” — just like the Foreigner song — as the region faces below-freezing temperatures.
The National Weather Service in Hanford issued a freeze warning on Monday for much of Northern California, predicting chilly conditions and patches of frost.
On Sunday, the weather service posted a map on X showing the probability of low temperatures below 32 degrees in several cities in the San Joaquin Valley. Merced, Madera and Los Banos were among the cities with above a 70% chance of freezing temperatures.
Merced has a 93% probability of seeing temperatures of 32 degrees or lower on Tuesday morning, according to weather service meteorologist Dan Harty.
Later in the week, an atmospheric river-fueled storm will bring warmer temperatures and rain showers to the Central Valley, the weather service said.
Here’s what you need to know about the forecast:
When is the freeze warning in effect for Merced area?
The freeze warning, which went into effect Sunday morning, will run through 9 a.m. Tuesday, the weather service said.
Which areas could see freezing temperatures?
According to the weather service, the freeze warning will affect the San Joaquin Valley and other parts of Northern California.
That includes the cities of Merced, Madera, Visalia, and Modesto.
“Sub-freezing temperatures as low as 30 degrees” are expected, the weather service said.
“Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops (and) other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing,” the agency said in the warning.
What’s in the weather forecast for Merced?
Merced was expected to be sunny, with a high temperature near 57 degrees and a low temperature around 30 degrees, according to the National Weather Service’s latest seven-day forecast.
Tuesday will be sunny, with a high near 57 and an overnight low around 39.
When will rain return to Merced?
There’s a chance for rain on Wednesday, when a “fairly weak system” moves into the Merced area, Harty said, bringing about a 10th of an inch of rain.
On Wednesday, there is a 60% chance of rain likely after 4 a.m. and before 10 a.m., the weather service said.
The day will be mostly cloudy, with a high near 52 and wind gusts as high as 15 mph. a
On Wednesday night, there’s a 70% chance of rain after 10 p.m. The low will be around 44 and winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
“We’re looking at a very wet system” with “periods of moderate to heavy rainfall” on Thursday into Friday, Harty said. “The heaviest precipitation is expected on Thursday.”
There is a 100% chance of precipitation on Thursday, with three-quarters of an inch to an inch of new rainfall possible.
The high on Thursday will be near 59, the weather service said, and winds could gust up to 30 mph.
More rain is expected Thursday, when the low will be around 48 with gusts as high as 15 mph.
Merced could see an additional quarter-inch to half of an inch of rain then.
On Friday, the chance of precipitation is 90% with a 10th to a quarter of an inch of rain possible.
The high will be near 60 and the overnight low will be around 41.
When will rain stop?
Skies will be blue over the weekend, the weather service said.
Saturday is expected to be partly sunny, with a high near 59 and an overnight low around 42.
Clouds will be back on Sunday, which will have a high near 62.
How to stay safe in cold weather
During cold weather, it’s important to stay safe, the weather service said.
The agency shared these tips on how to stay warm:
Dress in layers
Limit time spent outside
Don’t forget pets, plants, pipes and sensitive groups
To protect pets from cold, the weather service recommends pet owners:
Bring pets indoors
Provide sufficient food and water
Ensure pets have a warm place to sleep, off the floor
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