Bay Area Braces for Extreme Cold Temperatures

National Weather Service issues warnings as mercury set to plummet

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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The Bay Area is expected to experience the coldest weather in years on Thursday night, with temperatures forecast to drop into the 20s in the valleys and 30s along the bay shoreline. The National Weather Service has issued an extreme cold warning for the North Bay and East Bay interior valleys, as well as eastern parts of Santa Clara County, while a cold weather advisory is in place for coastal areas.

Why it matters

The extreme cold conditions pose a risk to sensitive plants and could lead to power outages, disruptions to transportation, and other public safety concerns. This weather event is part of a broader pattern of frigid storms that have brought snow to Bay Area peaks and heavy powder to the Sierra Nevada.

The details

According to the National Weather Service, the cold snap is being caused by a series of frigid storms that have swept through the region, clearing the skies and allowing heat to escape into space. Temperatures are expected to reach the mid-20s to low 30s in the valleys, while coastal areas will see lows in the low to mid-30s. The Oakland and Berkeley hills may even dip into the upper 20s, potentially exposing sensitive plants to frost.

  • The extreme cold warning is in effect from 1 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Friday, February 20, 2026.
  • Cold weather advisories and extreme cold warnings are also in place for Saturday morning.

The players

National Weather Service

The federal agency responsible for weather forecasting and issuing warnings to the public.

Rachel Kennedy

A meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Monterey.

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What they’re saying

“As of right now we don't have any record lows forecast overnight but if we can get some decent clearing for a long enough time period tonight we may see some sites drop even closer to their record lows.”

— Rachel Kennedy, Meteorologist (sfchronicle.com)

What’s next

The National Weather Service will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates on the extreme cold conditions throughout the Bay Area.

The takeaway

This extreme cold event highlights the need for residents to be prepared for potentially hazardous weather conditions, including taking steps to protect sensitive plants and ensuring they have access to adequate heating and power. The weather service's new warning system also underscores the importance of staying informed about evolving weather patterns in the region.