The National Weather Service San Francisco has issued a Freeze Warning and Frost Advisory that will impact several parts of the region, including the interior Central Coast and the southern East Bay Hills/Mountains. With temperatures set to plummet to the upper 20s to mid-30s, the Freeze Warning is in place from 1 AM to 9 AM this Wednesday. Meanwhile, areas under the Frost Advisory Interior North Bay, northern Salinas Valley, and Santa Clara Valley (excluding the city of San Jose) are also being cautioned against the cold conditions that pose risks, especially for unprotected populations and inadequate heating situations. For those who haven't done so, now is the time to "protect people, pets, plants, and pipes," as the NWS San Francisco advised.

Continuing this chilly trend, a Freeze Watch will take effect at 1 AM Thursday for most areas, except the stratus-haunted skies over the Bay Area. The marine layer, stubborn as a barrier against warmth, might be reluctant to lift and dissipate, keeping temperatures cooler than many prefer. "Should the more optimistic forecast occur for the clearing of stratus, the Salinas Valley should clear out as well as the North Bay Valleys," the National Weather Service San Francisco remarked in their Area Forecast Discussion. Conversations around thermostats and extra blankets will become more common as the region settles into this freeze event.

Regarding what to expect following the cold snap, high pressure will keep conditions chilly through Thursday until a pattern change introducing rain arrives on Friday, most likely in the North Bay, with decreasing chances further south. The National Weather Service San Francisco anticipates zonal flow through the weekend, which might give the greater Bay Area a shot at some wetting rain, while the Central Coast has lesser chances. "Guidance still favors the North Bay for the weekend, though there has been a slight shift southward giving the greater Bay Area a better shot wetting rain," they shared in their most recent update.

Next week, we will see the upper-level low push southward, contributing to more widespread rainfall for areas south of the Golden Gate and across the Central Coast. While there is much uncertainty beyond Monday, residents can expect updates in the forecast as the weekend draws closer. For now, boats can enjoy calm seas as the current marine conditions will hold steady with light to moderate winds and seas into Friday, according to the National Weather Service San Francisco's Marine section of their forecast.