The National Weather Service has issued a freeze watch for San Benito County for later this week, and local emergency authorities are reminding residents to prepare their homes for the extreme cold weather on the way.
The NWS alert will be in effect from Tuesday night through Thursday for most of the Bay Area, including South Santa Clara County and the Hollister area, according to the NWS website.
“A mainly dry cold front will pass over the Bay Area by Tuesday morning with the coldest air so far this season filtering in behind the front,” the alert says.
A freeze watch means that sub-freezing temperatures are expected, and these conditions could kill crops and other vegetation, according to the NWS.
Hollister’s forecast calls for a low of 31 tonight, 29 on Wednesday night and 31 on Thursday night, according to the NWS.
The City of Morgan Hill sent out a press release advising the Centers for Disease Control offers the following precautions for residents and homeowners during extreme cold weather:
-If you plan to use a fireplace or wood stove for emergency heating, have your chimney or flue inspected every year.
-If using a fireplace, wood stove or kerosene heater, install a smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector near the area to be heated.
-Insulate any water lines that run along exterior walls so your water supply will be less likely to freeze and burst.
-If you have pets, bring them indoors. If you cannot bring them inside, provide adequate shelter to keep them warm and make sure they have access to unfrozen water.
