Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Eureka, CA
Issued by NWS Eureka, CA
097 FXUS66 KEKA 172223 AFDEKA AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION National Weather Service Eureka CA 310 PM PDT Mon Jun 17 2024 .SYNOPSIS...Dry weather is expected for the foreseeable future. Breezy northerly winds decouple in the evening and become light offshore flow component, with locally breezy over the exposed ridges. Interior temperatures begin a slow warming trend through the work week, with another heat possible late this week and this weekend. && .DISCUSSION...Dry, cold air is spreading from north and northwest this afternoon as the passed shortwave trough continues to exit eastward of NRN California. Temperatures are running up to 7 degrees cooler than yesterday`s reading as result. Inland highs have been generally in the 70`s. A thermal trough developed near this coast late this morning. This is promoting coastal breezy northwesterly conditions this afternoon. Gusts from 20 to 30 mph are expected over the coastal headlands and exposed ridges, locally higher gusts up to 40 mph will be likely over the King Range and Crescent City. The eastern perimeter of Lake and Trinity counties are experiencing breezy north to northeasterly winds while this dry air continues to spread southward, bringing a slight risk for rapid spread of grass fires today, especially in Lake county. See Fire Wx section for more details. Winds are expected to decouple and become light offshore flow in the evening, with locally breezy over the exposed ridges overnight. This may yield to keep much of the coastal area free of low clouds. A surface high pressure will builds on Tuesday and bring a gradual warming trend across NRN California, while the longwave troughing is forecast to continue aloft well through Thursday. Afternoon highs may creep back up to above normal late this week as ridging noses in from the west, with a moderate heat wave possible Friday and Saturday. Interior high temperatures in the mid 90`s are expected to return across the warmer locations of Trinity, Lake, interior Mendocino, and northeastern Humboldt. NBM probabilities shows 50 to 75% for temperatures at 100 degree or greater in the hottest valleys for Friday and Saturday. && .AVIATION...All terminals are VFR this afternoon with gusty NNW winds. Winds are expected to diminish this evening. Status looks unlikely to form tonight, apart from the Eel River and parts of Humboldt Bay. Clouds could make their way to Arcata and deterioate conditions, but confidence is low. Any low clouds are expected to quickly lift after sunrise. The afternoon will be breezy, with peak winds of 15-20 kts at all the terminals - much weaker than today`s winds. JB && .MARINE...Winds remain breezy this afternoon in the waters, with gale force gusts possible in the outer waters south of Cape Mendocino through early Tuesday morning. Northerly winds will be breezy Tuesday, especially in the afternoon, but lighter than today`s winds, peaking at around 30 knots in the expansion fan south of Cape Mendocino and 20 to 25 knots elsewhere. The nearshore waters north of Cape Mendocino will see winds much lighter, with afternoon breezes only to about 15 knots in the coming days, as conditions remain breezy offshore. Both winds and seas look likely to increase again late week. JB && .EKA WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... CA... Red Flag Warning until 8 PM PDT this evening for CAZ264. NORTHWEST CALIFORNIA COASTAL WATERS... Small Craft Advisory until 9 AM PDT Tuesday for PZZ450. Small Craft Advisory until 3 PM PDT Wednesday for PZZ455- 470. Gale Warning until 9 PM PDT this evening for PZZ475. && $$ Visit us at https://www.weather.gov/eureka Follow us on Facebook and Twitter at: https://www.facebook.com/NWSEureka https://www.twitter.com/NWSEureka For forecast zone information see the forecast zone map online: https://www.weather.gov/images/eka/zonemap.png