textproduct: Eureka

KEY MESSAGES

* Slight chance (10%) of thunderstorms around the Trinity Alps Thursday evening.

* Warmer and drier interior temperatures into the weekend with highs in the 90s by Sunday.

* A shallow but strong marine layer forming close to shore with persistent marine clouds.

SYNOPSIS

Cool and moist marine air peaked over the area today. Warmer and drier conditions will rebuild this weekend with shallow but persistent marine air along shore.

DISCUSSION

A deep cutoff trough has slowly continued to push over and east of the area today. This has kept conditions cooler across the area with interior highs again below 80. Some weak showers have forms over the eastern parts of the area, but lower instability has largely precluded the development of thunderstorms. A 10% chance of weak isolated storms will remain possible through the evening with the greatest potential in Trinty County. Meanwhile, high pressure strong building closer to shore combined with linger south wind has generally reinforced a more persistent if slightly elevated marine layer along shore.

A high pressure ridge will gradually rebuild Friday and into the weekend. This pattern will allow for interior temperatures to dry back out and warm back into the 90s. Moderate north winds will return near shore, helping form a shallow but persistent marine layer especially north of Cape Mendocino. High pressure will most likely persist through next week. Most models show weak to moderate high pressure, but about 20% of ensemble members show unusually strong high pressure around next Tuesday that could push interior highs closer to 100. Aside from isolated showers today and tomorrow There is near 0% chance of wetting rain for the next 10 days. /JHW

MARINE

Moderate southerly winds have persisted close to shore through the day with some north winds in the far outer waters. Short period seas have now generally dropped below 6 feet. Moderate to strong northerly winds will gradually return to the southern waters by Friday and gradually spread north through the weekend, though winds will most likely remain much calmer closer to shore. Short period wind waves will dominate the marine environment with only a very minor southwest mid period swell up to 2 feet to speak of. /JHW

FIRE WEATHER

The thunderstorm risk will dwindle through Thursday evening with only slight chances of isolated storms in Trinity County before midnight. New starts will continue to be slow to spread thanks to otherwise cool and moist conditions. A building ridge will bring much drier and hotter conditions through he weekend, but winds will remain gentle and terrain driven. /JHW

EKA WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

CA... None. NORTHWEST CALIFORNIA COASTAL WATERS... Small Craft Advisory from 9 PM Friday to 9 PM PDT Saturday for PZZ475.