textproduct: Eureka

KEY MESSAGES

- A general troughing pattern to the north will keep temperatures cool for the interior

- Periods of unsettled weather for Del Norte County and extreme NE Humboldt and Trinity counties is expected over the weekend.

- Overnight temperatures for the interior will remain chilly, yet fog formation could inhibit any frost forming within inland valleys.

SYNOPSIS

A general troughing pattern will keep interior temperatures cooler than average and continue and unsettled pattern over the region bringing a chance for showers or isolated thunderstorms this weekend in Del Norte and extreme NE Humbodlt and Trinity counties. This unsettled pattern could also disrupt diurnal coastal stratus this weekend. Colder morning temperatures could occur for the coldest interior valleys this morning wherever fog does not form.

DISCUSSION

An upper level trough will continue to linger over the Pacific Northwest over the weekend. This feature could aid in sporadic coastal stratus development along the coast, light rain showers for Del Norte and extreme NE Humbodlt and Trinity counties, and cooler temperatures inland. Short wave disturbances are anticipated to flow downstream over NW CA through the weekend increasing the chances for light rain showers, especially for Sunday. The interior will likely see morning cloud coverage dissipating to cooler temperatures through Monday. Morning temperatures for interior valleys will be cooler to colder than average over the next few days with some of the climatologically colder valleys reaching morning low temperatures in the upper 30s to low 40s. However, a frost advisory has not been issued due to the likelihood of insulating cloud coverage for major valleys.

Sunday, a shortwave disturbance passing over the forecast area is increasing the rainfall chances for the Del Norte and the northern portions of Trinity and Humboldt counties. A slight lightning chance exists for these areas well, yet NW storm motion will likely cause any storms that do form to flow into Siskiyou County quickly. Little chances for wetting rain (>0.10") exist for areas away from the high terrain inland for Sunday as well.

A slight warmup is possible next week as well, yet if it occurs, it should be mild and short lived as ta troughing pattern returns at the end of the coming work week. There are also questions about whether tropical moisture may stream northeast toward the region from decaying tropical systems well off the coast. Model guidance has a large variance in possibilities ranging from completely dry after Sunday to several chances of showers and possibly thunderstorms mid to late week.

AVIATION...(06Z TAFs)

VFR conditions will continue for most terminals early this morning. Coastal stratus will eventually form along the coast early to mid morning. MVFR conditions can be expected along the Del Norte Coast early to mid morning before scattering occurs into the afternoon. Offshore flow around KACV could aid in keeping any coastal stratus away from the terminal. This evening, stratus is expected to form along the coast more uniformly affecting most coastal terminals. VFR is expected for most interior terminals with some patchy fog expected along some interior valleys.

MARINE

A continuously evolving low pressure center over western Oregon is beginning to weaken. As a result, southerly winds will continue to weakening and turning northerly by early this morning. Waves during this time are expected to remain below small craft advisory conditions. Northerlies are likely to be between 8- 12kts with sporadic gusts up to 15kts with the strongest winds in the far northern waters downwind of Cape Blanco and in the southern waters downwind of Cape Mendocino. The northerlies do not look to fully strengthen again until early next week. Hurricane Marie will deliver a long period southerly swell Saturday. Though small, at around 4 ft at 16 seconds, this swell is a larger than typical swell from this direction at this time of year.

BEACH HAZARDS

Hurricane Marie will usher in a long period southerly swell of 3-4 feet at 16 seconds for south facing beaches by Saturday into Sunday. Thus, there could be a risk of sneaker waves, especially if the swell comes in slightly larger.

Sneaker waves are a unique hazard, with up to 30 minutes between waves. Large, unexpected waves can sweep across the beach without warning, sweeping people into the sea from rocks, jetties, and beaches. These sneaker waves can also move large objects such as logs, crushing anyone caught underneath. Even ankle to knee deep water can knock you down and drag you out when a sneaker wave hits. Pay attention and stay above the high water line and any wet sand to stay safe. If the ground is wet, waves have surged there recently. Stay safe and never turn your back on the ocean!

EKA WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

CA... Beach Hazards Statement from 5 AM PDT early this morning through Monday evening for CAZ104-109.

NORTHWEST CALIFORNIA COASTAL WATERS... None.