It’s time to bundle up, Fresno.
The Fresno area was under a freeze watch as of Thursday, Feb. 19, according to the National Weather Service.
“Sub-freezing temperatures” as low as 28 degrees are possible in Fresno and Merced as well as cities including Clovis, Dos Palos, Los Banos, Merced, Madera and Selma, the weather service’s Hanford office said in the freeze watch.
The same areas can also expect to see winds of 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph, the weather service said.
In response, the city of Fresno is opening warming shelters for the first time this winter.
Freeze warnings were issued Thursday for the Sacramento Valley and northern San Joaquin Valley, including the cities of Sacramento, Modesto, Chico and Redding, The Sacramento Bee previously reported.
Here’s what to know:
The city of Fresno opened warming shelters in response to cold, windy weather. Debbie Noda Fresno Bee file How long will freeze watch, wind advisory be in effect?
The National Weather Service said its wind advisory will remain in effect until 7 p.m. Thursday.
The freeze watch will be in effect from 10 p.m. Thursday through the morning of Saturday, Feb. 21, according to the weather service.
“Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects,” the weather service said in the alert. “Tree limbs could be blown down, and a few power outages may result.”
In addition, frost and freezing temperatures could kill crops and damage unprotected outdoor plumbing, the weather service warned.
The agency recommended taking steps to “protect tender plants from the cold.”
Travel Alert SR168
Between the top of the four-lane and Shaver Lake, conditions are rapidly changing. When the wind picks up and snow falls heavier, visibility drops to near whiteout conditions.
Slow down, carry chains, and reconsider travel if you’re not prepared.@CHP_HQ pic.twitter.com/mviiSGhYAO
— CHP Fresno (@ChpFresno) February 19, 2026 Strong winds could ‘make driving difficult’
“Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles” such as buses and vans, the weather service said.
Drivers should use extra caution, or avoid hitting the road altogether, the California Highway Patrol in Fresno said.
On Thursday, the CHP issued a travel alert for Highway 168, sharing a video of a snowy roadway.
“Between the top of the four-lane and Shaver Lake, conditions are rapidly changing,” the CHP said in a post on X. “When the wind picks up and snow falls heavier, visibility drops to near whiteout conditions.”
“Slow down, carry chains, and reconsider travel if you’re not prepared,” the agency added.
Icicles caused by irrigation by nearby sprinkler to protect against frost, cling to branches of a fruit tree loaded with oranges east of Fresno. JOHN WALKER jwalker@fresnobee.com What’s in the weather forecast for Fresno?
The Fresno area had a “chance of showers and thunderstorms” before 7 p.m. Thursday, followed by rain, according to the National Weather Service’s latest seven-day forecast.
Thursday night was expected to be mostly cloudy, with a low temperature around 37 degrees and a 40% chance of precipitation, the weather service said.
On Friday, Fresno will be “mostly sunny” with a high temperature near 51 degrees and a low around 35.
More sunshine and cool temperatures are forecast for Saturday, when the high will be near 59 and the low will be around 41.
On Sunday, Fresno will be mostly sunny, with a high near 65 and a low around 44.
Clouds begin gathering on Monday, which will be partly sunny during the day with a high near 66 and an overnight low around 52.
There’s a 20% chance of rain after 10 p.m. Monday, the weather service said.
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This story was originally published February 19, 2026 at 4:29 PM.
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Brooke (they/them) covers Fresno and California news as the Fresno Bee’s service journalism reporter. They previously covered wildlife and national parks out west for the national real-time team at McClatchy News. Originally from Florida, they studied journalism at the University of Florida and previously covered LGBTQ+ news for the South Florida Sun Sentinel, their hometown newspaper. When they’re not writing stories, they enjoy hanging out with their cats, riding horses or spending time outdoors.