textproduct: Eureka

SYNOPSIS

Temperatures are expected to warm back to above normal for the weekend. Moisture will increase over the weekend into next week bringing a slight chance of thunderstorms to the interior early to mid next week.

DISCUSSION

An upper level low off the Pacific Northwest coast continues to make its way northeast into British Columbia, enabling temperatures to warm back up for interior regions of Northwest California. The warming temperatures aloft at 850 mb will likely make stratus more prevalent through at the coast through the weekend. Flow is expected to be fairly light, although the 700 mb winds are generally out of the south which should keep smoke to the north and east of the area unless a new fire develops to the south.

For the weekend high pressure strengthens and edges slightly to the west. This is expected to bring warmer temperatures to the inland areas. Highs are expected to be back in the mid 90s to around 100 in the warmer valleys. This will bring more minor to locally moderate heat risk.

Starting Monday, monsoonal moisture is anticipated to make it's way north and west into the area. At this point there doesn't appear to be a trigger to get any thunderstorms going and instability is fairly limited on Monday and Tuesday. Midweek has the best chance to see some thunderstorms in Trinity County with moisture from the remnants of what is currently Tropical Storm Elida possibly moving into the area. This will need to be monitored closely.

AVIATION

Upper level ridging will encourage diurnal stratus development overnight. VFR conditions will continue for terminals in Northwest California into this evening. Then, a compressed layer of stratus is expected to form along the coast this evening bringing chances for fog and IFR/LIFR conditions. Reversal southerly flow is also expected along the northern Humboldt and Del Norte coast overnight. VFR conditions are expected for interior regions through this TAF period.

MARINE

Northerly winds and steep seas will keep seas hazardous for small craft through today. Winds will remain higher in the southern waters with near gale gusts to localized areas of gale gusts this afternoon in the lee of Cape Mendocino. In general, winds should start to diminish, with a sharper decline by Sunday. Winds are expected to be only around 10 kt Monday and Tuesday before starting to increase again late in the week.

A larger southerly swell is starting to show up in the models. This is from Tropical Storm Elida off the Mexico coast. The current wave model shows these building to around 4 feet at 14 seconds on Monday. This could create some larger breakers than usual on the southern facing beaches, especially south of Cape Mendocino.

EKA WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

CA... None. NORTHWEST CALIFORNIA COASTAL WATERS... Small Craft Advisory until 9 AM PDT Saturday for PZZ455.

Small Craft Advisory until 3 PM PDT Monday for PZZ470-475.