Freeze Warning, Flash Flood Watch Issued For Sonoma County

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — The County of Sonoma issued a freeze warning late Monday in response to the National Weather Service’s prediction for freezing overnight lows expected through 9 a.m. Tuesday.

The weather service freeze warning applies to the cities of Santa Rosa, South Santa Rosa, Napa, San Rafael, Petaluma, Novato, and Rohnert Park, where overnight temperatures are expected to range from the mid-20s to the mid-30s.

Sonoma County officials recommend residents limit time outdoors, as serious medical conditions including hypothermia and frostbite, can develop with prolonged cold weather exposure.

Flash Flood Watch

The National Weather Service San Francisco Bay Area also issued a flash flood watch for the region from Tuesday at 4 p.m. through Thursday at 4 p.m., and a High Wind Watch from Tuesday at 7 p.m. through Wednesday at 10 a.m.

During the atmostpheric river event forecast to bring prolonged moderate to heavy rain to the region, weather officials said the areas of highest concern are recent burn scars, including the North Bay.

"There could also be rapid ponding of water in urban and poor drainage areas along with the potential for slides and washouts in steep terrain," the weather service said. "Please be cautious during this time and heed orders from local officials.

"Due to heavy rains within burn scar areas, landslide and debris flows are a potential threat to those living in these areas or traveling on adjacent roads," county officials said in a news release.

The county advised residents to be aware of changes in the environmental landscape in their area, as changes caused by fire, wind or rain may affect stormwater drainage on slopes resulting in land movement, flows and slides.

"If you feel you may be in danger, evacuate," county officials said.

Residents are encouraged to sign up for wireless emergency alerts.

For people experiencing homelessness during this weather period, Sonoma County has a program called Coordinated Entry that is available to offer shelter and services. To contact the program, call (866) 542-5480 or email ce@srcharities.org.

PG&E Prepares For Weather-Related Outages

PG&E is pre-positioning crews and resources ahead of the storms and is encouraging customers to be prepared and have a plan in case of weather-related power outages.

PG&E's meteorology team has advised that this storm series is shaping up to be an atmospheric river-type event with widespread heavy rain, gusty winds, and heavy, low-elevation snow, that will unfold Tuesday afternoon and continue into Thursday. The effects will be felt across the entire PG&E service area, particularly in the Sierra foothills, where snow levels could drop as low as 2,000 feet. At higher elevations, accumulation could mean several feet of snow.

In the Bay Area, PG&E expects this system to bring moderate to heavy rainfall and gusty winds through Thursday evening, with a slight possibility of some snow accumulation on the highest peaks of the surrounding hills.

"While cold temperatures, heavy mountain snow, and precipitation will deliver some much-needed moisture to our drought-impacted region, we expect this adverse weather to also result in some weather-related power outages," said PG&E Manager of Meteorology and Fire Science, Scott Strenfel. "We’re urging our customers to stay safe and have a plan. Our team is closely watching this storm series and where it could hit the hardest so we’re ready to restore power safely and efficiently."