‘Bitterly cold’ temperatures and winds up to 40 mph in Fresno, weather forecasters say

Fresno is in store for some particularly cold nights and windy days this week, meteorologists said Tuesday.

The early morning hours of Wednesday and Thursday are expected to get down to below freezing, which is 32 degrees, the National Weather Service in Hanford said.

“Bitterly cold temperatures will cause a freeze for much of the San Joaquin Valley and put animals and plants at risk,” the service said on social media on Tuesday.

The service recommends bringing pets indoors, covering plants and protecting water pipes, meteorologists said in a Freeze Warning announcement. They also advise against leaving sprinklers on, because they can create icy surfaces.

The average low in Fresno for this time of year is 43, according to meteorologist Andy Bollenbacher. The cold front coming down from Canada is colder, gustier and drier than the wet weather from early in the year.

“When you’re looking at a low 13 degrees below normal, it’s a significant event,” he said.

The weather in Fresno typically begins to warm in February, when nights begin to shorten, he said. But the frigid air is pushing those temperatures down.

The lows will creep up above 32 degrees later in the week until they reach about 40 on Sunday, forecasts show.

“With that cold front comes strong northwesterly winds,” Bollenbacher said.

A Wind Advisory was in order on Tuesday in the Valley through 7 p.m. with the potential for sustained winds of 20 to 30 mph, the service said. Gusts could reach 40 mph.

Bollenbacher said sensors at Fresno Yosemite Airport recorded sustained winds of 25 mph and gusts of 35 mph around 10 a.m. Tuesday.

The wind could make travel difficult, particularly for high-profile vehicles, forecasters said.

The cold storm system also means there’s a chance of snow in the Sierra Nevada, nearby foothills and in Kern County mountains. The snow levels started at around 4,000 feet early Tuesday and were expected to drop to about 1,500 feet by the afternoon.

The Mojave Desert was expected to see winds of up to 65 mph, which could topple trees and knock down power lines, forecasters warned.

Fresno warming centers open

The city of Fresno said warming centers will stay open through February as the cold weather persists. The city provides cots, blankets and pet cages for those who visit, according to a news release.

FAX buses provide free transport to any of the warming centers at Maxie L. Parks Community Center, Mosqueda Community Center and Ted C. Wills Community Center.

The centers are open 6 p.m. to 8 a.m.

The Pinedale Community Center stopped being a warming center on Feb. 9.