Cold snap grips East Bay; Some brave it, some embrace it
WALNUT CREEK, Calif. (KGO) -- A cold snap is currently gripping the Bay Area and colder temperatures are expected on Thanksgiving, but that hasn't stopped some Black Friday shoppers from hitting the sales.
At 11 p.m. Wednesday the temperature dropped to 36 degrees in Walnut Creek and as many people bundled up at home, some withstood the cold to camp outside stores.
Anna Reyes has pitched her tent in front of the Best Buy in Emeryville where Black Friday deals start at 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving, but cold weather could be a deal breaker.
"I can't give up now, I've been here since Monday," Reyes said. "Hopefully, I'll give my mom a call to bring more blankets and stay warm."
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Clark Sims and his cousins have been braving the cold for the past nine days outside the Best Buy in Pinole. He has his eye on a big screen TV, but what they need is a heater inside their tent.
"We really don't sleep in the tents as much, but a lot of the people coming, we sleep in the cars so we won't be as cold," Sims said.
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Families were enjoying the cold elsewhere in Walnut Creek and the downtown ice rink was packed.
Lauren Recupero of Orange County says she keeps warm with "lots of jackets, hot chocolate, coffee and hugging. All of that."
Lauren's daughter Sadie said, "Well, I have layers on under my sweater."
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Last-minute shoppers also made chilly grocery runs for Thanksgiving dinner. Shelly Payden just got back from Boston.
"It was 20 degrees when we watched the Patriots play Monday night, so this is OK," she said.
You can track the coming weather where you live with the ABC7 Weather app for your smartphone. If you're traveling, you can also get weather conditions and warnings wherever you are. It is free on Apple's App Store or on Google Play.
