Weather Alerts Issued as California Faces 'One of the Coldest' Storms

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a slew of weather alerts for California as an abnormally cold April storm hits the state.

California has faced an abnormally wet winter as moisture-laden storms and atmospheric rivers dumped a deluge of rain and snow, beginning in January. Three back-to-back storms recently brought heavy deluges across the state, supplementing many of the state's reservoirs, and more precipitation is on the way to finish out the week. Newsweek reached out to the NWS Bay Area by phone for comment.

Weather alerts included a winter storm advisory in place for much of central California; a winter storm warning for northeast and southwest California; a wind advisory for much of southern California; and a frost advisory in western California near Los Angeles. A hard freeze watch also has been issued. Temperatures could dip as low as 27 degrees Fahrenheit in Eureka, California, prompting some meteorologists to comment.

"One of the coldest April storms in recent memory is moving across NorCal today with up to 3-6 inches of snow possible across the highest peaks of the Bay Area," storm chaser and meteorologist Colin McCarthy posted on X, formerly Twitter, on Thursday.

"Snow totals have been increased across the Sierra with 6-12+ inches possible above 3,000 feet and up to 2-3 feet possible above 6,000 feet in the Central Sierra. Yosemite Valley will be a winter wonderland with 11-21 inches of snow forecast to fall through tomorrow!" McCarthy shared satellite imagery of the storm hitting California with the post.

"Definitely going to be on the cold side," NWS Bay Area posted on X, with a temperature forecast for several cities within the region.

Low temperatures were forecast to be in the 30s and 40s degrees Fahrenheit, with high temperatures in the 40s, 50s and 60s. Some of the coldest areas in the San Francisco Bay region will be Loma Prieta at 31 degrees Fahrenheit, Mount Hamilton at 32 degrees, and San Antonio Valley at 32 degrees. Temperatures should begin to recover next week.

Rain began falling in the San Francisco Bay region on Thursday morning and was expected to continue into Friday. Cold temperatures will continue to accompany the rain, and they could drop to 33 degrees Fahrenheit overnight on Friday. The temperatures will be cold enough for frost to form.

"These temperatures will be hazardous to sensitive populations such as unhoused individuals," the NWS office said.

Sensitive outdoor vegetation could be killed by the frosty conditions. Rain and snow are expected to continue moving through California on Friday.