textproduct: Eureka

KEY MESSAGES

* A passing cold front brings light rain and gusty south winds to Del Norte and northern Humboldt early this morning.

* Cooler temperatures will arrive this weekend behind the front, bringing chances for isolated interior frost.

SYNOPSIS

Extensive cloud cover will continue throughout the region this morning as a cold front brings light rain to Del Norte and northern Humboldt counties early this morning. Colder temperatures will follow through the weekend.

DISCUSSION

A trough with a compact and deepening surface low continues to clip Northwestern California early this morning. Light to moderate rain will continue for mostly Del Norte and northern Humboldt counties ealy this morning. Areas of Del Norte could see periods of moderate rain with around a 50% chance for over 1 inch of total rainfall. Chances for anything over 0.1 inches quickly lowers to zero south of Cape Mendocino.

The interior ridges will see some gusty winds from the stronger winds aloft with the trough. There is a high chance (70%) for gusts to exceed 30 mph for coastal and interior ridges of Del Norte early this morning. Gusty norhterly winds are expected tomorrow after the front completely passes.

A colder air mass will arrive overnight tonight. This will bring the potential for frost for some of the coldest interior valleys (particularly Hayfork). Chances for chilly temperatures and frost will continue into at least early next week. A trough will pass through Sunday. This storm system and a shortwave disturbance preceding it Saturday will be mostly dry, but could bring an afternoon shower or two for the interior. The extended outlook looks to remain dry with no chance for wetting rainfall.

AVIATION...(06Z TAFs)

A cold front will continue through Northwest California early this morning. Light to moderate rain is expected for Del Norte and northern Humboldt counties along with periods of gusty southerly winds for KCEC and KACV through about 4AM. The gustiest winds will be for terminals in Del Norte County (up to 25 knots). Ceilings from MVFR to IFR are expected with rainfall. Lower ceilings will linger along the coast and in valleys of Del Norte and Humboldt into mid morning. Northerly winds will begin to pick up through the afternoon and evening tomorrow.

MARINE

W to SW winds will remain relatively light; however, there is a strong westerly wind fetch around the low which will drive in a quick pulse of steep west northwesterly seas around 9-12 ft at 10-11 seconds for most of the waters. Seas may reach hazardous levels at 12 ft for the far NW waters out around 30 to 60 NM. These seas will increase rapidly this morning and will bring dangerous conditions to small crafts. The northerlies will restrengthen this afternoon, and will be near gale to gale strength in at least the outer waters by Saturday and are likely to continue into early next week.

FIRE WEATHER

Recoveries will be good early this morning, even in areas without rain. Northerly to westerly winds will remain gusty today, although RH trends higher. A pronounced offshore wind surge will then develop tonight, drying out the interior somewhat Saturday with min RH dropping to the low 20s to upper teens. The extended forecast does not include any more chances for wetting rain.

EKA WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

CA... None. NORTHWEST CALIFORNIA COASTAL WATERS... Small Craft Advisory until 5 PM PDT this afternoon for PZZ450.

Small Craft Advisory from 9 AM this morning to 9 AM PDT Saturday for PZZ455.

Small Craft Advisory until 3 AM PDT Sunday for PZZ470.

Small Craft Advisory until 9 PM PDT Sunday for PZZ475.