Merced County braces for a freezing night and dense fog through next week
Key Takeaways
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- National Weather Service warns freezing temperatures from Jan 9 afternoon.
- Dense morning fog continues through next week; county urges low‑beam headlights.
- County starts proactive creek bank reinforcement at Bear and Miles Creeks.
It’s already been a wet winter for Merced. Now it’s about to get colder.
While the sun has been fighting through this week, the National Weather Service warned Friday of freezing temperatures through 10 a.m. Saturday morning.
Merced County Office of Emergency Services had these suggestions to prepare:
- Remember to cover exposed outdoor pipes, bring pets indoors, and check on elderly neighbors or anyone who may need extra help staying warm.
- If you’re using space heaters, keep them safely away from flammable items.
- To save time in the morning, place a beach towel over your windshield overnight to help prevent frost.
Dense fog is expected to continue through next week.
In a Facebook post, Merced County Office of Emergency Services warned residents to allow extra time when travelling or commuting in the mornings.
The office reminded residents to “please use your low-beam headlights so everyone can see you and stay safe.”
This story was originally published January 9, 2026 at 3:17 PM.
Aysha Pettigrew
Merced Sun-Star