textproduct: Eureka

SYNOPSIS

A warm, dry, and summer like pattern will peak Saturday. VEry light coastal drizzle is possible Monday but otherwise similar weather will continue next week and particularly gusty north winds near shore around midweek.

DISCUSSION

High pressure has continued to build over the area today. Interior highs have crested in the upper 60s and low 70s under clear skies. Moderate north wind gusting near 20 mph has kept marine influence near shore robust, preventing any warming above 60. Warmer conditions today will generally preclude frost formation tonight.

High pressure will peak over the weekend withs highs in the upper 70s across the interior. There remains a slight (15%) chance of some isolated highs even over 80 on Saturday afternoon. Some gusty north winds will remain in the afternoon, but slight weakening may allow for coastal highs in the 60s. Regardless clear and relatively dry conditions will persist.

A very subtle shortwave passing the early next week could bring very light drizzle within the marine layer around Monday, most likely just for Del Norte. Otherwise, the wave will help push strong north wind s into the coast, where north gusts could again exceed 30 mph in the afternoon. Overall conditions will remain dry with interior highs right around 70. Most models have now trended towards high pressure lasting all next week with with little more than drizzle (20% chance) possible later in the week along the far north coast. High pressure will continue to promote warm interior temperatures, though weakening wind through the week will most likely encourage a stronger but shallower marine layer near shore. /JHW

AVIATION

VFR conditions likely continue for the next 24 hours at the TAF sites. Some brief MVFR impacts are possible this afternoon at the coastal terminals. Gusty northerly winds this afternoon of 20 to 30 kts will ease overnight. Still, upper level winds will remain strong overnight, bringing a LLWS threat particularly around Lake County and the King Range. While the TAF sites are likely to remain VFR, some river valleys could see fog and/or stratus overnight. JB

MARINE

Strong northerly winds with near-gale to gale force gusts continue through early next week. The strongest winds will be around and south of Cape Mendocino. Winds weaken somewhat and pull away from the coast Saturday, but gusts will likely be near-gale in the outer waters with peak gusts of 15 to 25 kts nearshore. Steep seas of 5 to 8 ft are likely to persist nearshore despite the lighter winds. Winds strengthen again Sunday and Monday, with widespread gales and near storm force gusts possible again by Monday. Seas will also build again to 10 to 13 ft by Sunday night. A break in the winds is possible by mid next week. JB

EKA WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

CA... None. NORTHWEST CALIFORNIA COASTAL WATERS... Small Craft Advisory until 11 AM PST Monday for PZZ450.

Gale Warning until 10 PM PST this evening for PZZ455.

Gale Warning until 3 AM PST Saturday for PZZ470.

Gale Warning until 11 AM PST Monday for PZZ475.