textproduct: Eureka

SYNOPSIS

Clear and dry conditions will remain through the week with a warming trend through Thursday. A weak and shallow marine layer will hang along shore. Temperatures will trend lower this weekend weekend.

KEY MESSAGES

-Northerly winds are much lighter, but will be breezy in the afternoons close to shore.

-Generally clear skies and dry conditions, even along shore, through the week.

-Conditions will warm through Thursday with highs in the interior peaking near 90.

DISCUSSION

Weak high pressure arching over the area has made for slowly warming and dry but otherwise benign weather. Clear skies in the interior and weak winds has allowed for highs to warm back into the mid and upper 80s. Similarly, a slowly building but diffuse marine inversion has made for cooler and hazy conditions along shore.

High pressure will quickly but briefly build over the next couple days. Heat will peak around Thursday with above average interiors highs in the low 90s. HeatRisk, however, will be mostly minor. A sharper marine inversion combined with onshore flow will most likely support the formation of a a more proper, shallow marine layer the next few nights, but daytime clearing remains most likely (80%) each afternoon. Still, the coast will most likely keep highs below 70.

High pressure will weaken again this weekend, allow for slight cooling and more marine influence to push inland. Most models show a stronger and more consistent layer of marine stratus forming around Humboldt Bay and other protected areas, aided by gentle but persistent onshore flow. Most ensemble members continue to show a trough dipping across the Pacific Northwest early next week. The trough, however, will most likely be dry with only light drizzle on the coast and some weak showers inland. Even on the far North Coast, the chance of wetting rain is less than 10 percent. /JHW

AVIATION...(18Z TAFs)

VFR conditions are being observed at all terminals early this afternoon. Gusty northerly winds, especially at the coast, are likely this afternoon. CEC could see gusts nearing or exceeding 30 kts. Winds are likely to ease overnight. Lighter winds overnight may allow stratus to form near the coast. Prevailing, light east winds at ACV may keep this offshore, or keep impacts brief and periodic. Should there be impacts, the stratus is likely to be shallow with LIFR to IFR ceilings. CEC is likely to remain stratus-free as north winds prevail overnight. VFR conditions are likely for the interior areas overnight. JB

MARINE

North winds remain strong, especially in the outer waters and around Point St. George and in the lee of Cape Mendocino. Gales are expected to continue in these areas for much of the work week. Steep to very steep, hazardous seas will also continue with wind waves of 8 to 13 ft at 8 to 10 seconds and a mid period northwest swell at around 5 to 7 ft. This swell has peaked and will subside over the coming days. A break in the winds is likely this weekend as a trough moves into the Pacific Northwest. Seas will also ease this weekend, and could be below 6 ft in the inner waters by Saturday evening. JB

EKA WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

CA... None. NORTHWEST CALIFORNIA COASTAL WATERS... Small Craft Advisory until 10 AM PDT Thursday for PZZ450- 455.

Gale Warning until 9 PM PDT Friday for PZZ470.

Gale Warning until 10 AM PDT Thursday for PZZ475.