Spoke with some of the passengers. Reporter yeah, thats right. Good morning to you. What a morning for the bart riders. When they finally got here to the rock ridge station and came down the escalator, we could see they were physically shaken up. Some of them actually in tears. They say that they were just stuck on this train. They smelled smoke. They said it was very stuffy. Finally, things starting to get back to normal here this morning. Still not 100 . Were still seeing delays. Maybe 15 to 30 minutes on the bart trains this morning. The rock bridge station was shut down for nearly an hour after 8 30 this morning. About 600 to 700 people on that train. Heres what we know. About 8 30 bart is saying that a parking brake deployed on a train and caused it to become disabled in the tunnel between orinda and rock ridge on the other side of the hill there. The Oakland Fire Department shut down the station here, rock ridge. Some people on board actually needed medical attention when they finally arrived because of breathing problems. A technician was able to get the brake loose that train and the train rolled here into rock ridge. We spoke with some of the people who said that it seemed like the rear cars had an electrical smell and bart is actually saying that the smoke may have been something more like brake dust and that there was no fire, but the folks that we spoke with, they described it as smoke. The passengers say it was a very frightening hour in a stuffy train with very little information. We could smell it. Everybody smelled it right away. Oh, my gosh. No. Theres a lot of people up there crying right now. Right now i just have to actually go because i need to just, like, walk around and get my mind off of this for a minute, so it was frightening, and we were there for almost an hour, but finally everything was resolved. Thank god. Well, it was it was smoke. Like when wires are burning. It was filling up. You know, in our car people were feeling a little frightened, but it was worse for the other people that were being affected. Now, according to bart, theyre saying that at least four people needed medical attention. It looked from our Vantage Point that at least one woman had suffered from an asthma attack. Most people who were being transported seemed to be getting oxygen. I did just speak with a battalion chief, and he said it was nine people that were transported this morning from the rick ridge station, so, again, things getting back to normal. As for the train itself, its actually left the rock ridge station. Were told that it will be going to the Richmond Bart station, and theyll have to figure out exactly what went wrong. Thats the latest from here. Reporting live in oakland, christie smith, nbc bay area news. Frightening morning for a lot of people there. Well, now it our other top story, the weather. Were in the midst of one of the coldest snaps of the year, and its only going to get colder. Lets start with team coverage, christina loren. How low are we going to go . Tonight even colder. Were talking about the low 20s in some cities. We want to make sure everybody is ready for this, and then we dont get out of the woods when it comes to weather thats going to impact your life. Weve got a very poet ebt storm system headed our way, and this one could drop snow at the 500 foot level. Thats what were watching for next. This morning and tonight it is still cold. These are yurnt temperatures. Livermore at 48 degrees. The same for mountain view. Lets get right into it this morning. Another round of damaging frost. If you dont bring in sensitive plants, they will likely be damaged by the very, very cold temperature. 25 to 32 degrees for most of the bay area. Let me give you a taste of some of the coldest spots across the bay area, laura. Look at these numbers. Were talking about the low 20s tonight. Up in the north bay that also goes for places like livermore. Youll be about 27 degrees tonight. 26 for concorde. 22 in napa, and 24 degrees in santa rose wra. We get a reinforcing blast of cold air and some heavy rain on the way. We could see some of that in the form of snow right here in the bay area. Back to you. Yeah, whats interesting, christina, while many of us are dreading the cold, one farmer in the south bay actually welcoming it saying its long overdue. Nbc bay areas bob riddell live at andys orchard in morgan hill. Bob, a lot of people get coloneled about it because it can damage some plants and even crops. Not there . Well, if you are growing citrus, thats correct. Good morning to you, laura. If you are growing did is with us fronts like here at andys orchard, they want the cold. They need the cold. Otherwise, they wont perform well in the spring. Reporter this fruit farmer is happy to hear that temps will be dropping tonight. His 60 acres of cherry, plum trees and next arines. Time at temperatures below 40 degrees. It undiocese sleep. It causes the tlooefz fall quicker and for the tree to go into a dormant state, and that kind of gives it a good sleep so that it can awaken in the spring time. Like taking a sleeping pill. Theyre behind on their sleet. We still need some more cold. Reporter they need anywhere between 550 and 900 hours, depending on the fruit, in order to be bountiful in the spring time. If somebody were to sleep for about an hour and they were shaken and were awaken and had to perform a full days work, i think, you know, can you relate to that. Reporter andy does have a couple of rows of citrus. He is covering the younger ones with burlap and watering the more mature trees to form a blanket of ice. It will prevent his citrus from dipping below 32 degrees since thats the temperature at which water freezes. Reporting live here at morgan hill, bob riddell, nbc bay area news. Looks like my one plum tree will be all right. Low temperatures and snowfall back in the sierra. Were seeing fresh powder and falling snow across much of the sierra. If the forecast is correct, the region is in for more snow nan than the past two seasons. The drop in temperature also means ski resorts can run manmade snow machines nonstop 247. Return of snow also means a return of spinouts and other accidents along interstate 80. Right now there are no chain requirements on interstate 80 up in the sierra, but on highway 50 chains are required on all vehicles unless you do have a fourwheel drive. Its not just us getting the blast of winter. Leann greg is in denver with the latest there. Reporter road crews working around the clock trying to keep up with falling snow and icy conditions if the denver area and across the state. Parts of the colorado high country are bracing for up to two feet of snow. The powerful arctic chill is baring down on the rockies and Northern Plains before pushing into the southeast. Deadly conditions near duluth, minnesota, where a foot of snow is expected today on top of 26 inches yesterday. Howling winds are churning the frigid waters of lake superior. At least four people have lost their lives on slippery roads. By friday temperatures in the region could drop to more than 20 below. Thats kind of tough this time of year because you fwot to be out shopping and its hard on everybody. Especially the heating bill. We normally dont get hit this hard right off the bat, but its december, so its time for it. Reporter for several areas record cold, as much as 40 degrees below normal. I dont like 30 below weather. Nobody does. Reporter along with snow in many of the plain states, ice. In the cold blast affecting areas from florida to california, citrus farmers worry if their crop is still on the vine that will survive. You say your prayers, go home and go to bed and get back up the next morning and see whats happening. Reporter a deep freeze that could last a week and the harsh reminder winter is here. In the metro area the snow is expected to taper off later today as the system moves east, but the temperatures will not get out of the teens until the weekend. Leann greg, nbc news, denver. Certainly cold there. Back here in the bay area fire crews trying to get ahold of a man who lived in a mobile home that burned to the ground overnight. It happened at the casa alondra Mobile Home Park near monterey and blossom hill road. That fire broke out about 2 00 this morning. Crews had it under control within an hour, but a few hours ago crews finally completed their entire search of the home and there was no sign of the homeowner that he was there at the time of the fire. Heres renewed hope this morning that a missing san jose pilot and his family will be found safe. Dale smith was flying his single engine plane from baker city, oregon, to butte, montana, sunday when he reported engine failure over central idaho. Smiths daughter, her fiance, as well as her son and daughterinlaw were on board. Certaining for the plane yesterday, Authorities Say they picked up the signal of the planes emergency beacon. It was in a different area than where the last cell phone ping came from. This suggests some movement. Smith is the ceo at serial tech in san jose, and they are cautiously optimistic. This morning San Jose Police are investigatoring another deadly crash involving an suv and a man riding a bike. Police say the driver hit the bicyclist near the corner of vista park drive and brennan lane in south san jose. It happened just before 7 00 last night. The cyclist was taken to the hospital where he died. He has been identified as the 17yearold boy. Right now police say its unclear who had the. Referee , but the driver of the suv stayed at the scene and is cooperating with the investigation. The crash marks the 40th traffic fatality this year and the 25th car versus pedestrian fatality. Thats compared to 12 in all of last year. 22 years ago and just seven back in 2010. Still to come, arrested for plugging in his green car. How 5 cents worth of electricity turned into 15 hours in jail. And aspace even elan musks mother is impressed. Well take a look. Plus, it is a moment many wait to see during the Holiday Season. Were going to have a preview of tonights rockefeller Tree Lighting ceremony. To those whove waited. Worried. Poked and prodded. Taken risks. And lived in a state of what if . Welcome to a new state. Of health. Welcome to covered california. The place to find quality, affordable coverage. Financial help for those in need. And nobody can be denied because of a preexisting condition. Enroll now at coveredca. Com or call 18007526631. Welcome back. A georgia man speaking out this morning. It was a saturday morning, no. Even though its a small amount of electricity, its justified . Yes. You would do it again . Absolutely. He says he only charged his car for 20 minutes, drawing about a nickels worth of electricity. Were getting a clearer picture on the substitute of two planned developments next to the new levi stadium in santa claire wra. The city council considered combining the two proposals. It includes one by 49ers legend joe montana. City managers say combining the projects will make sure the designs are similar. Both will be built right across from the stadium, which is slated to open next summer, but the developments start in the early stages of the approval process. Were going to work as fast as we can to meet certain time frames and objectives of the developments overall. Well make every effort to do something to get a portion of that project underway before super bowl. Montanas proposal includes two large hotels along with retail, restaurant, and office space. Two very rich men teaming up this morning to try to make schools better. Scott mcgrew, bill gates, and mark zucker berg. Mark zucker berg and the Gates Foundation will announce today theyre chipping in to help a new company designed to bring an updated technology to schools. Zuckerbergs foundation called startup education and the Gates Foundation are the major backers of education super highway. Along with other foundations, the two groups raise 9 million to support the company. Education super highways goal to update technology in every school nationwide. Organizers say believe it or not 70 of the schools in the nation have the equivalent of the old dialup modem. Space x this morning says its satellite that it was hired to put into orbit is right where it should be. Tuesday evening more time the falcon 9 rocket lifted off delivering a commercial satellite into orbit for the very first time. Now, space x has already sent unmanned capsules to the space station. This was the first satellite into orbit. Elan musks mom tweeted out cool as the rocket lifted off. Im sure shes very proud of her son. Thanks so much. Santana will celebrate hanukkah with a festral of lights today. Organizers with the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley expects hundreds of people to attend an annual community candlelighting event at the park valencia in san jose. The event will include entertainment, local community booths, and a few special surprises. More than 2,000 people showed up. We are counting down the hours to one of the most anticipated events the ab wal lighting of the Rockefeller Christmas tree happens tonight right here on nbc with a starstudded celebration. Nbc sarah della has a preview of from the 30 rock plaza. All dressed up for the holidays. 45,000 l. E. D. Lights, topped with a swarovski crystal star. The Rockefeller CenterChristmas Tree has come a long way from the front yard of a family in connecticut. Coming down to new york especially just to see the tree. Its a big day. Its kind of great knowing that some people across america are going to see this tree and then its going to be a cool feeling knowing that were the ones who had it. The first formal Lighting Ceremony took place in 1933, a tradition that grows even bigger every year and this year is no exception. Live performances from a list of celebrities will lead up to the big moment. Im so xid to be part of the treeLighting Ceremony. I have watched it every single were. For many it marks the true beginning of the Holiday Season. A majestic sight. Im just excited. This is on my bucket list. During a magical time of year. In new york, sarah dolla, nbc news. What goes along with the Holiday Season . The cold temperatures. Especially here in the bay area. Lets check in with meteorologist christina loren. Yeah, laura, the cold snap continues, and there is some really cold air on the way tonight. Good morning to you. Want to show you the sunshine. No fog out there. Temperatures even in the city in San Francisco right now are still in the upper 40s. San bruno still in the mid 40s. Your temperatures are going to stay cool just about all day long. You can see theres even a wind chill factor in San Francisco. Our camera shaking as those winds build. Now, as we head throughout the day today, were not expecting any real significant weather changes. Then tonight we get another reinforcing blast of cold air, so your highs wont be that warm. 53 in cuppertino. 52 for you. Walnut creek, 51. 350 out in livermore. Really no microclimate separation in terms of your daytime highs. Wait until i show you where were headed as we get into tonight. Temperatures are going to be chilly out there. The coldest air of the season trails behind it tonight. 27 in livermore. 26 in concorde. 22 degrees in napa. 24 degrees in petaluma. Bundle up and bring in the sensitive plants. Maybe you didnt have a chance to last night. Its going to be about three to five degrees cooler. Lets get to the big weather story. We have a potent area of low pressure moving closer and closer to the bay area. By tomorrow night, about 9 00 p. M. , it will start to push into northern california. The advances stop the clock as we get into friday afternoon at 2 00 p. M. Look at this. Widespread rainshowers across the bay area and the pink and the blue start to come in. You watch for the pink. This is a mix of rain and snow. Mount hamilton will get a good dusting of snow as we head through saturday morning, and we have a slight chance of seeing some flurries at the valley floor level. Let me show you the sevenday forecast for the trivalley. Take a look at this. On saturday morning 33 degrees, and thats when that rain is going to be coming through. Its actually looking promising for a few flurries. Of course, were going to keep on top of that. Well let you know but snowfall at the low level, certainly looking possible as we get into saturday morning. Right now were getting breaking news right now from the white house this morning where the secret service says an unattended package was thrown through the white house north fence line. It is completely shut down right now. A person has been arrested and an Explosives Team is on the site right now. Something well continue to follow as our news at 11 00 continues in just a moment. [ female announcer ] for those who love sweets your season is here. Lets just call it the baking time of year. You need special ingredients. You need the staples for homemade. You need safeway sugar for just a buck eightyeight. And that magic thing that makes everyone want another only two ninetynine for challenge butter. And when hands get messy, quite surely theyll say, yum wow yay what a sweeter holiday. Safeway. Ingredients for life. Fans treated to a historic comeback. Down to the toronto raptors. It looked like it was over for the warriors, but then they climbed back. A series of threepointers, including this one by seth curry and the golden state. Boy, just down by one point. Curry follows it up with another three. And the warriors lead. They would go on to win it 112103. Coach mark jackson calling it the best game he has seen since he started coaching the team. Really last night was a doubleheader showdown between toronto and the bay area. San jose sharks were in toronto playing the maple leafs. Check out who is in the crowd for toronto mayor rob ford. He has been making the rounds after being stripped of his powers after admitting to smoking crack cocaine. On sunday he was at the billsfalcons fwam. As for the sharks, they helped make it a sweep. After the fwam some fans blamed ford. One tweeted rob ford equals bills lose. Rob ford attends the game, equals well, tis the season for Gingerbread Houses. Wait until we show you the biggest one ever made. We continue to follow breaking news out of the white house where a man reportedly caught some sort of device past the white house north fenceline. The Explosives Ordinance Disposal Team is there trying to check out what it is. In the meantime, an adult man was arrested and transported this morning. On a happy note this morning, everything is bigger in texas, but now in the book of Guinness World records, that is where the worlds large e Gingerbread House is. The texas a m Traditions Club built this house. Can you believe it. With thousands of pounds of butter, sugar, eggs, and other ingredients and decorated with more than 22,000 pieces of candy. A Gingerbread House more than 39,000 square feet, easily beating the previous record holder, 36,000 square food Gingerbread House that was built outside the mall of america. Look at it. I mean, it looks like a huge house. You could live in it, i suppose. Looks delicious. Exactly. Better not rain on that. I know. With it with stand the elements is the question. We will see. Hey, thanks for joining us. Our mechanics newscast is at 5 00. You can also get the latest info nbc bay area. Com. Look, i dont need these, liz. Your tax return is the same every year. Actually, ill have you know that this has been a year of change, howard. I joined an over40 dance team, i started eating the lettuce on my plate under my onion rings, and i have taken up meditation thanks to my boyfriend criss. Yeah, do you remember what you said to me last year . This has been a year of change, howard. Im actually eating the onion part of my onion rings, i started journaling thanks to my exciting relationship with carol, who is a man. Although we have done nothing that lesbians could not do. Uhhuh. Do you remember what you said to me last year . I bought a restaurantgrade onion ringer, and im having a go at cycling, thanks to my boyfriend wesley, whom i hate. Have i never washed this sweater . Look, theres nothing wrong with being predictable. Every morning i get up and come to this office while my wife cheats on me with jared. Well, youre wrong. I bought a meditation stool, and