textproduct: Eureka

SYNOPSIS

Dry weather along with near-normal temperatures is expected through the weekend. Breezy winds are likely for the coast this afternoon. Breezy winds expand to the interior Friday through the weekend with low relative humidities bringing a fire weather threat. Light rain is possible for the North Coast Monday.

KEY MESSAGES

- Near normal temperatures and dry weather expected through the weekend.

- Breezy winds likely for the coastal areas this afternoon.

- Widespread breezy to gusty winds each afternoon and evening Friday and through the weekend, with low RH values promoting locally elevated fire conditions across the interior.

- Chance for light rain for the North Coast Monday.

DISCUSSION

A deep marine layer has returned stratus to the coastal areas with some deeper intrusions into the river valleys. Areas of drizzle are possible in areas with stratus. Clouds will likely clear this afternoon with gusty north winds up to 20 to 30 mph likely for the coastal areas.

An upper-level trough will drive southward Friday and through the weekend, which is expected to cool temperatures 5 to 10 degrees. An associated weak cold front will track southward across the CWA on Friday, promoting widespread breezy west-northwest winds. Breezy conditions will prevail through the weekend, with the strongest winds over the coastal headlands and exposed ridges. Generally gusts from 25 to 35 mph are expected, with locally higher gusts. There is a 60-90% chances for gusts greater than 35 mph over the coastal headlands and higher terrain. Even lower elevations of Lake County could see gusts of up to 30 mph, and with low afternoon relative humidities, elevated fire weather conditions are expected. See the fire weather section for more details.

Ensemble clusters suggest a troughing pattern over the area through mid-next week. Precipitation chances (15-30%) of light rain return on Monday and gradually diminish on Tuesday. The highest chances for rain are for coastal Humboldt and Del Norte, but some sprinkles are possible for much of northwest California. Uncertainty remain high regarding to the amounts of precipitation over the area for this system. /ZVS/JB

AVIATION

A deep marine layer has brought stratus to the coastal areas and nearby river valleys. MVFR ceilings are expected for ACV through about sunrise. Some models even clear skies earlier with the weak marine inversion. Breezy north winds at CEC have kept persistent impacts from stratus, but brief IFR to MVFR impacts are possible through sunrise. Clear skies and VFR conditions are expected by the afternoon across the area. Gusty north winds of 20 to 30 kts are possible for all terminals in the afternoon. JB

MARINE

North winds increase today with near-gale to gale force winds expected south of Cape Mendocino. Steep wind waves of 10 to 12 ft are possible south of the Cape, even nearshore. Winds will be lighter but still breezy north of the Cape, especially in the outer waters where sustained winds of 25 to 30 kts are expected. Nearshore winds will be much lighter, but some prorogation of short period seas is expected. Waves of 7 to 10 ft are expected north of Cape Mendocino today. Winds are expected to be lighter north of the Cape on Friday and Saturday, with steep seas slowly subsiding into Saturday. South of the Cape, winds are likely to remain strong with near-gale to gale force gusts south of Cape Mendocino through the weekend. Sunday, winds increase again in the northern outer waters as the southern waters remain breezy. Winds finally ease Monday into early next week as a front moves through the area. JB

FIRE WEATHER

Gusty west-northwest winds are expected in interior areas each afternoon from Friday through Sunday. These winds combined with low afternoon relative humidities will promote elevated fire weather conditions. While the strongest winds are expected in the ridges where afternoon gusts could peak over 30 mph, lower elevations could see gusts of 20 to 30 mph each afternoon. In the eastern portions of the area (Trinity, eastern Mendocino, and Lake Counties), afternoon relative humidities are expected to drop into the low to mid 20s Friday afternoon. Terrain channeling in Lake County, especially, will bring locally critical fire weather conditions Friday afternoon and evening. Cooler temperatures, slightly higher relative humidity, and slightly lighter winds are expected Saturday and Sunday afternoons, but still an elevated fire weather threat is expected. Light rain is possible Monday and Tuesday of next week. /JB/ZVS

EKA WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

CA... None. NORTHWEST CALIFORNIA COASTAL WATERS... Small Craft Advisory from 6 AM this morning to noon PDT Friday for PZZ450.

Small Craft Advisory until noon PDT today for PZZ455.

Gale Warning from noon today to 6 AM PDT Friday for PZZ455.

Small Craft Advisory until 3 PM PDT Friday for PZZ470.

Gale Warning until 3 PM PDT Friday for PZZ475.