065
FXUS66 KEKA 182139
AFDEKA

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
National Weather Service Eureka CA
239 PM PDT Sat May 18 2024

.SYNOPSIS...Temperatures will be near normal to slightly below
normal over the next week as weak fronts move through the region.
Northwesterly winds will be gusty each afternoon particularly at
coastal areas and ridges as the sea breeze pushes inland.


&&

.DISCUSSION...A cloudy overcast morning quickly gave way to clearing
by the afternoon and will last through to the evening as winds
build. Model soundings show dry air aloft, mixing down well to the
PBL and minimizing overnight fog and stratus effects for most areas
overnight, except for Humboldt county. HREF shows low cloud cover
from the north and interior as well as the coast and southern
Humboldt. Clearing is expected by Sunday afternoon for the CWA with
some high cloud cover over Trinity and southern Humboldt early
Sunday morning.

Gusty winds are building presently at the time of this forecast and
expected to continue through the evening. A brief reprieve from
gusty northerlies will be isolated north of the 40.5N latitude, with
gusty northerlies returning Sunday evening. No wind products have
been issued as thresholds on land are approaching advisory criteria
or are not lasting long enough to warrant products over land. As
upper level shortwaves and weak surface reflections of these
shortwaves move through the region, the winds will fluctuate
slightly with a stronger period of winds Sunday into the first half
of the week. On land these winds will be reflected as gusty north-
northwesterlies each afternoon into the early evening. Winds will be
strongest along ridgelines and northwest to southeast oriented
valleys and coastal headlands.

The King Range will likely remain persistently windy throughout the
day and night with a more north-northeasterly orientation overnight
into the morning hours.

This well mixed lower atmosphere will likely result in limited
coverage of the coastal stratus through at least Monday. Moisture
within the marine layer will increase by mid-week potentially
resulting in higher status coverage in the morning hours despite the
continued northerly winds. /RPA /EYS

&&

.Aviation...Gusty northerly winds will help keep the terminals in
VFR throughout today. Gusts from 25 to 30 kts could be possible
along the coast with higher gusts more likely for coastal Del
Norte County. For most terminals, winds will calm into this
evening allowing the potential for MVFR to IFR ceilings to
develop. At CEC, winds are expected to remain elevated making it
less likely for cloud cover to develop through this TAF period.

&&

.Marine...Northerly gales are expected to persist across the
outer waters today, producing hazardous 10-12 foot short period
waves across all zones. The highest winds and gusts occurred last
night with winds easing a bit today, but still gale force in the
outer waters. Significant wave heights to 15 feet at 10-11 seconds
are expected in response. Steep and dangerous seas will continue
into early next week as gales persist in the outer waters. Current
model guidance indicates the strongest winds and wave response
shifting to the southern waters by tomorrow before another
resurgence of gales early next week. Gales are expected to finally
cease by mid next week as the coastal pressure gradient weakens.

&&

.EKA WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
CA...
None.
NORTHWEST CALIFORNIA COASTAL WATERS...
     Hazardous Seas Warning until 10 AM PDT Monday for PZZ450-
     455.

     Gale Warning until 10 AM PDT Monday for PZZ470-475.

&&

$$

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For forecast zone information
see the forecast zone map online:
https://www.weather.gov/images/eka/zonemap.png