textproduct: Eureka

AVIATION...12Z UPDATE

A cold front passes over NW CA this morning creating widespread MVFR conditions with very brief periods of IFR visibilities due to +RA. Rain is forecasted to move eastward through the morning with lingering rainshowers and thunderstorm potential through the day. Gentle to moderate southerly winds expected, yet passing convective activity could create sporadic downbursts and wind gusts over terminals with gusts up to 25kt. Inland areas overnight Sunday into Monday can expect overcast skies and valley fog. Nighttime winds show calm variable condition inland and gentle southerlies continuing for the coastal terminals. DS

PREV DISCUSSION

/issued 1247 AM PST Sun Nov 15 2026/

KEY MESSAGES...

* A second large swell is forecast to arrive late Sunday into Monday with breaking waves of around 22 to 28 feet. Increased beach erosion along with the possibly of some coastal flooding.

* Another cold front arriving overnight and lasting through early Sunday, brings another round of rain and strong southerly winds.

* A midweek storm is possible as the storm track remains set up over NW CA.

SYNOPSIS...A fast moving front with high winds and rain arrived overnight and will continue into Sunday morning. Large and energetic swell continues, but will continue to diminish before another large swell arrives late Sunday. Large breaking waves will continue.

DISCUSSION...A troughing pattern has set up over the Pacific Northwest, persisting through early this coming week. As showers from the previous system diminish, another frontal boundary approaches Northwest California bringing another round of gusty southerly winds and moderate rain overnight and continuing into Sunday morning. This upcoming system is still projected to be weaker than the storm from this past Friday morning (11/13). Rainfall totals over the next 24 hours still look to be about half an inch in southeastern Lake County to nearly two inches in the mountains of Humboldt and Del Norte counties. Around an inch to 1.5 inches are forecast for the rest of Northwest California. Showers will continue through Monday. There is about a 10 percent chance for thunderstorms as the main rain band moves in late tonight. Through Sunday afternoon and into Monday, post frontal showers will persist with around another 10 percent chance of isolated thunderstorms.

Wind Advisories have been issued for the Del Norte Coast and Northern Coastal Humboldt and the higher terrain areas to the east of Humboldt Bay (i.e. Kneeland) lasting into early Sunday morning. Weather stations along the Del Norte Coast have already recorded max gusts of at least 40 mph. Remote coastal headlands of the King Range in southwest Humboldt and northwest Mendocino have an 80 percent chances of gusts to 50 mph or higher. The strongest winds will diminish by sunrise on Sunday with showers lingering through Sunday.

Another brief reprieve is forecast for late Monday into early Tuesday before another system will impact Northwest California late Tuesday into Wednesday bringing more rain and wind, but also high elevation snow. Models indicate that most of Northwest California will at least see 1.5 to 2 inch precipitation totals in a 48 hour period from late Tuesday evening to Thursday evening. The National Blend of Models (NBM) shows about a 70 percent chance of greater than 3 inches of precipitation in a 48 hour period for southwest Humboldt and northwest Mendocino (the King Range) from Tuesday to Thursday. There is even potential for some higher elevation snow impacts, mainly in Trinity County, during this same timeframe. This next system midweek will continue to be closely monitored. /JLW/EYS

MARINE...The northwest swell has peaked but is trending down through the evening, yet remains hazardous with wave heights just under 20 feet. Gusty, gale to storm force southerly winds return to all area waters, lasting into early Sunday morning. Another large NW swell arrives Sunday night. While winds are expected to calm, seas look to remain chaotic through Monday.

BEACH HAZARDS...The large northwest swell peaked at around 34 feet Friday night, bringing breaking waves of 30-40 feet with possibly a few sets higher than 50 feet. This swell has diminished to around 18 as of 08z Sunday morning, but this still results in breaking waves up to 20ft. This swell will continue to diminish through the weekend. The High Surf Warning remains in effect through 4 AM Sunday. A second large swell at 20 to 23 feet at 17 seconds is forecast to arrive late Sunday into Monday. This will likely warrant a high surf advisory with breaking waves of around 22 to 28 feet.

High surf in northern California can be very dangerous. It is recommended to stay away from jetties, exposed rocks, steep beaches, and the waterline in general during these events. Large waves can rush up the beach knocking down individuals. Very large logs and tree stumps can also be carried by the waves adding to the hazards on the beach. Low lying parking lots next to beaches could see water inundation and bluffs may be subject to coastal erosion during the peak swell Friday night. Please remain safe and avoid beaches, jetties, and bluffs during periods of high surf.

EKA WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

CA... High Surf Warning until 4 AM PST early this morning for CAZ101-103-104-109.

Wind Advisory until 6 AM PST early this morning for CAZ101- 103-106.

NORTHWEST CALIFORNIA COASTAL WATERS... Hazardous Seas Warning until 3 PM PST Monday for PZZ450-455- 470-475.