Frost Advisory Issued For Petaluma, Sonoma County: How Cold It May Be

PETALUMA, CA — The County of Sonoma issued a cold weather warning Friday in response to the National Weather Service frost advisory for Sunday morning from midnight until 10 a.m.

The National Weather Service is also predicting sub-freezing wind chill temperatures from Sunday into early Monday. Officials recommend that residents limit their time outdoors, as serious medical conditions including hypothermia and frostbite can develop with prolonged cold weather exposure.

In Petaluma, low temps were expected to drop to 40 degrees overnight Friday, 33 overnight Saturday and 33 overnight Sunday.

Unhoused people may wish to consider moving to their nearest shelter if possible, county officials said. Some shelters have expanded capacity on a first-come, first-served basis, with many offering wraparound services as well.

In Petaluma, the Mark Issak Center at 900 Hopper St. was open as of Friday as a warming center operated by the City of Petaluma and COTS. For the most up-to-date information about warming centers around Sonoma County visit the county emergency webpage here or call 211.

Prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures can lead to hypothermia. Hypothermia is a medical emergency that causes a dangerously low body temperature and can be fatal if untreated.

Symptoms of hypothermia include confusion, dizziness, exhaustion, severe shivering, clumsiness, slurred speech or mumbling drowsiness, weak pulse, slow, shallow breathing and progressive loss of consciousness. County officials said to seek medical attention if experiencing these symptoms.

Additional Cold Weather Safety Tips

• Drive slowly and be on the lookout for hazardous travel with slick road conditions including possible ponding on roads and freeway off-ramps and minor flooding in low-lying or poor drainage areas.
• Unsheltered community members, older adults, children and those with access and functional needs should seek shelter now as they are at higher risks of hypothermia.
• Dress in layers, wear a hat, scarf, gloves and mittens, and waterproof, insulated boots to avoid hypothermia or frostbite.
• Get out of wet clothes as soon as possible to reduce the risk of hypothermia.
• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water with electrolytes.
• Avoid excessive consumption of alcohol and non-prescription medication if you will be staying outside as it may lead to death or serious injury.
• Seek medical attention immediately and call 911 if you see someone experiencing hypothermia.

Click here for further information on preparing for extreme cold.

Petaluma Seven-Day Forecast

Friday night Patchy fog after 1am. Otherwise, increasing clouds, with a low around 40. West northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.

Saturday
Rain, mainly between 11am and 5pm. Patchy dense fog before 11am. High near 56. West wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to 16 to 21 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Saturday Night
A 20 percent chance of rain before 11pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 33. West northwest wind 10 to 14 mph.

Sunday
Areas of frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 55. North northwest wind 7 to 10 mph.

Sunday Night
Patchy frost after 1am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 33. Northwest wind 6 to 9 mph.

Monday
Widespread frost, mainly before 8am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 55.

Monday Night
Patchy fog between 2am and 4am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 41.

Tuesday
A chance of rain. Patchy fog before noon. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 57.

Tuesday Night
A chance of rain, mainly after 5am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 38.

Wednesday
Rain likely, mainly between 11am and 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 54.

Wednesday Night
A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37.

Thursday
A chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 54.

Thursday Night
A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39.

Friday
A chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 54.