textproduct: Eureka

SYNOPSIS

Above normal temperatures return to the interior this weekend. Monsoonal moisture returns Sunday into early next week, bringing chances of showers and thunderstorms early to mid next week.

DISCUSSION

An upper level low off the Pacific Northwest coast continues to move northeast into British Columbia. High pressure rebuilds over the area as the trough moves eastward. Above normal interior temperatures return today as high pressure strengthens, with most interior valleys seeing high temperatures in the 90s to just over 100. Minor to locally moderate HeatRisk is expected. Slight northerly flow at the surface could bring some smoke from fires in southern Oregon to Trinity County, but southerly flow aloft is likely to keep most out of the area.

Starting Sunday night into Monday, monsoonal moisture is anticipated to make it's way north and west into the area. While moisture aloft will likely be plentiful, instability looks limited, at least initially. A few showers may be possible with this first pulse of moisture Monday morning, but dry low levels will prevent much of this from reaching the ground. Midweek has the best chance to see some thunderstorms with moisture from the remnants of what is currently Tropical Storm Elida possibly moving into the area. This will need to be monitored closely, as some long-range ensemble members show these remnants close to shore. /JB

AVIATION...(6Z TAFs)

Stratus has returned over or very near the coastal terminals. IFR ceilings are likely at the coastal terminals, with visibility reductions possible near sunrise. Some lifting and brief scattering is possible, but stratus is likely to be slightly more persistent today than previous days. NBM only shows around a 50% chance of skies clearing at both ACV and CEC. Ceilings may lift to IFR to MVFR, however, by the afternoon. Interior areas are likely to remain VFR for the next 24 hours. /JB

MARINE

Northerly winds remain elevated in the outer waters and in the lee of Cape Mendocino. Winds gradually ease, especially nearshore today and Sunday. By Monday afternoon, peak gusts of 10-20 kts are expected across all waters. Light to moderate winds are expected for much of the week.

Seas remain characterized mainly by wind waves and small mid to long period northwesterly and southerly swells. Steep seas will slowly ease in the outer waters this weekend and be relatively mild by Monday. A larger southerly swell, peaking at 4-5 ft from Tropical Storm Elida arrives Monday and continues for much of the week. With relatively light northerly winds, seas could be dominated by this swell. This could create some larger breakers than usual on the southern facing beaches, especially south of Cape Mendocino.

EKA WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

CA... None. NORTHWEST CALIFORNIA COASTAL WATERS... Small Craft Advisory until 9 AM PDT this morning for PZZ455.

Small Craft Advisory until 3 PM PDT Monday for PZZ470-475.