textproduct: Eureka

SYNOPSIS

An upper level low off the Pacific Northwest will bring cooler inland temperatures, back closer to normal for the next several days. This will also bring some breezy winds into the interior. Above normal temperatures are expected to return for the weekend with another chance for thunderstorms next week.

DISCUSSION

The upper level low off the Pacific northwest is moving slightly closer. This is expected to bring some cooler weather and continued breezy conditions this afternoon. The lower heights and cooler temperatures aloft are weakening the marine inversion and this should allow the coast to clear out fairly well again this afternoon. Friday the upper level low is expected to finally make its way northeast in British Columbia and this will allow temperatures to warm some. The warming temperatures aloft will likely make stratus more prevalent. The flow is expected to be fairly light, although the 700 mb winds are generally out of the south and this 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 on Monday monsoon moisture is expected 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. For now it looks like Wednesday has the best chance to see some thunderstorms in Trinity county. However it would only take a small shift in the timing of a shortwave or increased instability to have some more thunderstorms. This will need to be monitored closely.

AVIATION

There is some fairly limited stratus along the north coast once again this morning. KACV and KCEC are expected to clear out by midday. The upper level low to the northwest of the area is keeping the marine inversion weaker and allowing CIGs to be higher and more clearing at the coast. Typical afternoon gusty northwest winds are expected along the coast. Ukiah is expected to see some stronger afternoon winds once again. Tonight the clouds are expected to return again, but it may take until after 06Z and the CIGs may not be all that low, possibly just MVFR with periods of IFR. MKK

MARINE

Northerly winds continue in the waters this morning, generally still 15 to 25 kt with lighter winds closer to the coast. There are some wind driven waves of 4 to 6 feet in the southern waters with lighter ones farther north associated with these winds. There is also a northwest swell of 3 to 5 feet at 12 seconds.

The winds are expected to remain fairly consistent through early Saturday. Then the winds should start to diminish, slightly at first, but more so on Sunday. Winds are expected to 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. MKK

FIRE WEATHER

Stronger northwest winds are expected once again this afternoon in Mendocino, Lake, and eastern Trinity counties. Afternoon RH is expected to not be as low as on Wednesday. Lake and Eastern Trinity county may still see some areas in the teens, however most other areas are expected to be in the 20s or higher. Winds ease Friday, back to more typical afternoon breezes, but afternoon RH will also lower back into the teens and 20s. MKK

EKA WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

CA... None. NORTHWEST CALIFORNIA COASTAL WATERS... Small Craft Advisory until 3 AM PDT Saturday for PZZ455-475.