Extreme Cold Watch Targets Over 4 Million in Central California on Jan 9
Updated (2 articles)
National Weather Service Issues Extreme Cold Watch Covering Millions The National Weather Service office in San Francisco issued an extreme cold watch for central California that affects more than 4 million residents on January 9, 2026, between 1 a.m. and 9 a.m. [1] The watch highlights heightened danger for unhoused people, sensitive populations, pets, and vulnerable crops. [1] Meteorologist Rick Canepa warned that temperatures at or below 35 °F can be deadly for those without shelter and can freeze plumbing. [1]
Watch Area Encompasses Bay Area Valleys and Coastal Ranges The watch zone includes the Marin Coastal Range, North Bay interior valleys, San Francisco Bay shoreline, East Bay interior valleys and hills, Santa Cruz Mountains, Santa Clara Valley, the Salinas and Carmel valleys, and parts of Monterey County. [1] These locations span the Bay Area and nearby interior valleys, concentrating risk in densely populated and agricultural zones. [1] The narrow overnight window targets the period when temperatures are expected to reach their lowest. [1]
Forecast Calls for Upper 20s Temperatures, Below Seasonal Norm Forecasts predict lows in the upper 20s Fahrenheit for interior Monterey and San Benito counties, with low‑to‑mid‑30s elsewhere across the watch area. [1] These values are 8–10 °F below normal for early January, raising the likelihood of frozen pipes, crop damage, and hypothermia. [1] The extreme deviation prompted the NWS to label the event “extreme” rather than a standard cold advisory. [1]
Authorities Advise Heating Safety and Warming Centers for Vulnerable Residents Local officials urged residents to use portable heaters safely, avoid indoor generators or grills, and seek warming centers that have been opened for the unhoused. [1] They also recommended dressing in layers, protecting outdoor animals, and covering sensitive plants. [1] Forecasters expect temperatures to moderate gradually by Saturday, and the watch could be upgraded to a formal extreme cold warning if conditions worsen. [1]
Timeline
2023: CDC reports over 1,000 U.S. cold‑weather deaths, nearly 20 % occurring in January, and identifies homeless, elderly, and poorly heated households as the most vulnerable groups. [2]
2024: JAMA Network study finds U.S. cold‑related mortality more than doubles between 1999 and 2022, prompting calls for expanded warming centers and indoor heating programs. [2]
Dec 7, 2025: NWS Juneau issues an extreme cold watch for Alaska’s Klondike Highway, warning of wind chills down to –40 °F and gusts up to 60 mph; the advisory runs from 3 p.m. Sunday to 3 p.m. Monday, with peak danger Monday evening through Tuesday afternoon. [2]
Dec 7, 2025: NWS and CDC jointly advise residents to seek shelter, wear multiple warm layers, limit outdoor exposure, secure property, and check on neighbors during the Alaskan cold snap. [2]
Jan 7, 2026: NWS San Francisco announces an extreme cold watch that spans the Bay Area, interior valleys, Santa Cruz Mountains, Salinas and Carmel valleys, and parts of Monterey County, affecting more than 4 million people. [1]
Jan 7, 2026: Forecasts call for temperatures to plunge into the upper 20s °F in interior Monterey and San Benito counties and into the low‑mid 30s °F elsewhere, roughly 8–10 °F below normal, raising concerns about frozen pipes, crop damage, and vulnerable populations. [1]
Jan 7, 2026: NWS meteorologist Rick Canepa warns that sustained temperatures at or below about 35 °F can be deadly for unhoused individuals and can freeze plumbing, pets, and livestock, underscoring the life‑threatening nature of the event. [1]
Jan 7, 2026: Local officials urge residents to use portable heaters safely, avoid indoor generators or grills, and locate warming centers, while forecasters expect gradual warming on Saturday and note the watch could be upgraded to a formal extreme cold warning. [1]
Jan 9, 2026: The extreme cold watch takes effect from 1 a.m. to 9 a.m., targeting the overnight low‑temperature window when the forecasted chill is most acute across the designated California regions. [1]
Jan 10, 2026 (Saturday): Temperatures begin to moderate, offering relief after the overnight freeze and allowing authorities to assess whether to elevate the watch to a warning. [1]