textproduct: Eureka

KEY MESSAGES

* Gradual cooling this week with inland temperatures returning to near or slightly below seasonal normals.

* Increasing Relative Humidity and a deeper marine layer will diminish the fire danger this week.

SYNOPSIS

An upper level trough approaching the Pacific Northwest is expected to start bringing cooler temperatures and a deeper marine layer to the area. The near coastal areas are expected to start cooling today and Wednesday with more cooling late in the week farther inland.

DISCUSSION

An upper level trough is in place off the Pacific Northwest. This is expected to stall here with shortwaves occasionally rotating around it. The first round of embedded shortwaves will bring minor changes to the weather, some of which are already being felt at/near the coast. Model soundings are detailing a deepening marine layer and plenty of cloud cover with saturated low level signatures. Some drizzle can be expected in the early morning hours which has produced some accumulated precipitation as of Tuesday morning. Areas in the "near coastal" zone will continue to see more cooling through the week as the marine influence persists. The coast may see brief periods of clearing this afternoon, although generally the status at the immediate coast is expected to be stubborn.

Additional shortwaves continue to move around the trough to the northwest of the area. This may bring some subtle changes to the weather each day, but overall the pattern is expected to remain fairly persistent through the work week. The northerly winds will start to increase slightly Thursday, especially along the Mendocino Coast.

Next weekend some offshore flow and brief warmup is possible before the trough takes hold again. MKK/EYS

AVIATION

The retreating stratus bank, seen offshore and through visible satellite feed, will fill back in tonight in a hardy fashion as the stalled offshore low swings moisture into the area. MVFR categories have ruled the day at KCEC and KACV with ceilings 1200-1700ft at KCEC and 1000-1300ft at KACV. The flight categories will continue at MVFR for the coastal terminals well into the evening hours but are likely to dip to IFR/LIFR as winds veer NNE but mostly light and variable by late tonight or early morning Wednesday. VFR conditions prevail at KUKI with northerly winds easing by midnight. /EYS

MARINE

Winds continue to diminish today with seas following suit. This afternoon and evening, northerly winds are expected to increase again mainly south of Cape Mendocino. Gentle to fresh winds are then expected through Thursday followed by stronger winds late in the week. A southerly swell is expected to build to 3 to 4 feet over the next several days.

EKA WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

CA... None. NORTHWEST CALIFORNIA COASTAL WATERS... None.