A freeze watch remains in effect from late Monday night through Tuesday morning throughout the region.

National Weather Service forecasters are predicting below freezing temperatures dropping into the upper 20s outside the city limits and low 30s within the city limits.

These temperatures are anticipated in the Northern San Joaquin Valley, Carquinez Strait and Delta and Southern Sacramento Valley counties from late Monday night, Dec. 27 through Tuesday morning, Dec. 28. Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.

Residents are urged to take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. Remember to bring pets indoors during the overnight hours.

The cold weather pattern is forecast to bring several cold nights and early mornings to interior Northern California for much of this week. The coldest night is expected to be tonight when low temperatures are forecast to drop to near or below freezing in urban areas and plummet into the 20s in rural areas including the lower foothills.

Although this stretch of cold weather is expected to result in low temperatures from 5 to 12 degrees below normal, widespread record low temperatures are not expected.

A weather system is expected to spread cloud cover over the area Wednesday morning, Dec. 29 that will keep temperatures from plummeting into the 20s. However, it will be cold enough for snow in the Northern Sacramento Valley and surrounding foothills, while rain showers are expected in the Southern Sacramento Valley, Northern San Joaquin Valley and Delta region. The coldest temperatures Thursday morning are forecast to be limited to the Northern Sacramento Valley and nearby foothills due to clearing skies.