Los Banos, CA (February 20, 2026) — The National Weather Service (NWS) in Hanford issued an updated freeze warning Friday at 9:38 a.m., warning of sub-freezing temperatures across large portions of the Central Valley, including Los Banos and surrounding communities.
The warning remains in effect until Saturday at 9 a.m. and includes Los Banos–Dos Palos, Merced–Madera–Mendota, Planada–Le Grand–Snelling, Coalinga–Avenal, the west side of Fresno and Kings counties, the Fresno and Fresno-Clovis areas, Delano–Wasco–Shafter, Hanford–Corcoran–Lemoore, Visalia–Porterville–Reedley, Bakersfield, the Southeast San Joaquin Valley, the South End of the San Joaquin Valley, and Kern County.
According to the NWS Hanford office, temperatures could drop as low as 28 degrees overnight. Forecasters cautioned that frost and freeze conditions may damage or kill crops and other sensitive vegetation. Unprotected outdoor plumbing could also be at risk.
The weather service advises residents to take precautionary measures, including covering tender plants and protecting exposed pipes. Agricultural producers across the region may also need to implement frost protection measures to prevent crop loss.
This is the latest in a series of cold weather advisories affecting the Central Valley this winter season.
The freeze warning is scheduled to expire at 9 a.m. Saturday.
