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SAN JOSE — Temperatures around the Bay Area are expected to approach – and in some places dip below – freezing throughout this week, according to the National Weather Service.
As of Tuesday morning, temperatures in low valleys near Santa Rosa had dipped to about 29 degrees, said the National Weather Service. Those overnight lows are expected to continue until Friday, with some isolated locations dropping into the upper 20s.
Although it may seem strange on the heels of a red flag warning, the near-freezing temperatures are due to a fresh cold front, said NWS meteorologist Spencer Tangen.
“There’s now a cold front that came through — it brought in a drier and cold air mass,” Tangen said. “That’s been allowing these overnight low temperatures to get very cold, and has to do with the fact that the air’s so dry.”
Lows in the upper 30s to low 40s are expected in the East Bay and northern Santa Clara Valley.
Southern Santa Clara Valley, along with San Benito and Monterey counties, will see lows in the lower to upper 30s. Isolated lows in the upper 20s are possible in southern Monterey County.
Wednesday is expected to be the coldest day of the week, according to the weather service. The weather is expected to accompany clear skies and dry air, Tangen said.
“A dry, cool air mass will allow for colder temperatures to develop each night this week, particularly in inland valley locations,” the weather service said in the briefing. “Temperatures will approach or dip below freezing in the coldest spots and patchy frost will be possible.”
Citing the frigid forecast, the Santa Clara County Office of Supportive Housing on Monday called an “inclement weather episode” starting Monday and ending Wednesday. Beds are added to shelters and warming centers are opened during such episodes.
Daytime warming centers are located in libraries, community centers and senior centers throughout the county.
In a news release, the county said the cold weather was particularly concerning with the potential for some residents to lose power during yet another public safety power shutoff.
“After tonight, we’re definitely looking at more cold overnight low temperatures pretty much for the rest of the week,” Tangen said.
The weather service said gusty offshore winds will accompany the chilly temperatures Tuesday through Wednesday, potentially exacerbating efforts to contain the Kincade Fire in Sonoma County. The fire has charred more than 74,000 acres and was just 15 percent contained as of Monday night, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
The North Bay mountains will see sustained winds of 20 to 35 mph and gusts of 40 to 65 mph, according to the weather service. Relative humidity is expected to range from 8 to 18 percent during the day and 10 to 25 percent at night.
“These conditions will allow fires to grow rapidly and contribute to extreme fire behavior,” the weather service briefing said.
The return of “critical fire weather conditions” spurred Pacific Gas & Electric on Monday to call a shutoff affecting 596,000 customers in 29 counties, including the Bay Area.
Check back for updates.
Forecast low temperatures Tuesday morning. pic.twitter.com/7a79aVj9mf
— NWS Bay Area (@NWSBayArea) October 29, 2019