First Alert Weather: Bay Area Preps For Freezing Temperatures Beginning Overnight

LIVERMORE (CBS SF) -- A freeze warning for much of the Bay Area goes into effect beginning at 2 a.m. Wednesday and running through Friday, the National Weather Service said.

Tuesday afternoon, a hail and wind advisory was issued for the areas of Dublin, Livermore, Pleasanton, San Ramon, and Danville. Ominous black clouds looming over the Livermore Valley quickly turned to widespread hail on Vasco Road and throughout the region.

On trails across the East Bay, bundled-up was the attire of the day as even the California poppies were shying away from the chill.

"It's cold and windy and getting to be brisk," said Lawrence and Ruth Mersmann of Walnut Creek.

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With the cold kicking in, the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District wants people to read the manufacturer's instructions on their space heaters and furnaces to prevent a carbon monoxide or fire tragedy.

"Make sure it's well maintained, in the case of space heaters. Don't use them near — common sense, but don't use them near any flammable objects, bedding curtains, things like that," said spokesman Steve Hill. "Any heating device that you use in your home has the potential to emit carbon monoxide if it's not properly vented. Carbon monoxide is a silent killer."

In December, a Pittsburg woman died and her family was sickened from carbon monoxide poisoning.

In the Livermore Valley, wineries are keeping a close eye on the weather. Aggressively warm February temperatures did set the vines in motion, but the growth isn't enough to warrant too much worry.

"I'm really not concerned today. Maybe a couple of weeks from now that could be a different story, but we haven't gotten bud break yet. We're close," said Rhonda Wood of Wood Family Vineyards, where pruning was set late this week or early next week.

A mixed bag of weather was slowly leading to freezing temperatures overnight in Napa. Lows were expected to fall to 32 degrees and visitors were feeling the freeze.

Downtown Napa has been a little quieter than usual. The outdoor dining and wine tasting were practically non existent Tuesday night as visitors opted for the cozy warm indoor spaces.

"I was very surprised.. very chilly. I expect sunshine," saud Zoe Li of Los Altos.

Lauren Garvey from Napa adds, "It's too cold, I wish it was summer."

It was a chilly day but one that brought about a mix of snow and sleet. At Atlas Peak, hail came crashing down on the mountain side but it also hit the lower elevations.

"As we approached the mountains, we saw some clouds on the horizon and then hail and we were nervous on the way up," said Raffaela Kenny-Cincotta from San Francisco.

Visitors to the Napa Valley experienced a mix of wine and wild weather. There is a freeze warning for the early morning hours from Wednesday until Friday, something many didn't expect after experiencing summer like temperatures a week ago.

"On the Super Bowl we were on the deck like biking shorts and t-shirts. It's quite a swing we're experiencing," said Jared Conti from San Francisco.

Raffaela Kenny-Cincotta added, "We went from margaritas during the super bowl to hot cocoa. Luckily here in Napa, there's plenty of red wine to keep us warm."

Wineries we talked said the freeze that's expected should not damage the crops since it's still early on in the season. It's the pattern though that many are concerned with. The early hot streak followed by the freezing temperatures.

"We live in a world of extremes now with all this climate change might be super normal," said Mark Naniong of Boston.

While it's expected to drop down to 32 overnight in Napa, it will be colder in the next few days falling all the way into the high 20's.

Andrea Nakano contributed to this report.
 

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