Los Angeles, CA — An unusually cold air mass is sweeping across inland Southern California, prompting the National Weather Service (NWS) in Los Angeles/Oxnard to issue a Freeze Warning for multiple regions. The alert covers the Antelope Valley, Southern Salinas Valley, and interior San Luis Obispo County valleys, remaining in effect from midnight until 8 a.m. Thursday.
Early-Morning Freeze Expected Across Multiple Inland Valleys
Forecasters warn that overnight readings will drop sharply, noting that “temperatures may fall as low as 25°F in the Antelope Valley” and “around 28°F in the Salinas and San Luis Obispo County valleys.”
These levels of cold are uncommon for early December across Southern California and pose serious risks to both natural and built environments.
The NWS cautions that “subfreezing conditions could kill sensitive plants and crops and damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.”
Such conditions are especially concerning for agricultural communities across the Central Coast, where a sudden freeze can lead to crop losses and irrigation system failures.
Areas Most at Risk
The Freeze Warning impacts several well-known communities, including Palmdale, Lancaster, Paso Robles, Templeton, Atascadero, and San Miguel.
In these valleys, cold air tends to settle overnight, allowing temperatures to plummet even when nearby coastal cities remain relatively mild.
Officials have emphasized that the inland nature of these regions makes them particularly prone to significant overnight temperature drops during early-winter cold outbreaks.
What Residents Should Do Ahead of the Freeze
With freezing temperatures expected for several hours, residents are urged to take immediate precautions to prevent weather-related damage.
Local authorities advise households and growers to prepare using the following steps:
- Cover or bring sensitive plants indoors
- Wrap exposed outdoor pipes and faucets
- Ensure pets are brought inside or provided warm shelter
- Allow indoor faucets to drip slowly in areas vulnerable to pipe freezing
- Use space heaters safely, keeping flammable objects at a distance
Property owners with crops or orchards should act quickly. The NWS advises that “growers and property owners should harvest or protect vulnerable crops” ahead of the freeze window.
Why This Freeze is Significant
Southern California is no stranger to temperature fluctuations, but widespread subfreezing conditions across inland valleys remain relatively uncommon. Cold air pooling, clear skies, and calm winds are contributing to an ideal setup for a hard freeze, particularly across low-lying agricultural zones.
Outdoor plumbing systems—often not designed for prolonged freezing—are at risk as overnight lows fall below normal thresholds.
This weather pattern highlights the vulnerability of semi-rural communities, where outdoor irrigation networks and exposed piping are more common.
When Conditions Will Improve
Relief is expected shortly after sunrise Thursday. As daylight returns, temperatures will begin a slow rebound, helping reduce the immediate risk to plants and pipes.
However, forecasters note that chilly mornings may persist through the week, and residents should continue to monitor updated weather advisories.
Conclusion
Inland communities across the Antelope Valley and Central Coast valleys are preparing for a rare early-December freeze that could impact crops, outdoor plumbing, and pets. With temperatures expected to fall well below freezing, residents are encouraged to take protective measures and follow NWS guidance to minimize damage.
Tell Us in the Comments
How cold did it get in your area this morning? Share your neighborhood’s lowest temperature or any freeze impacts you noticed.
