003
FXUS66 KEKA 182348
AFDEKA

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
National Weather Service Eureka CA
448 PM PDT Fri Sep 18 2026


.AVIATION...(00Z UPDATE)...Stratus continues for most of the Nort
Coast this afternoon. Periods of clearing to VFR are possible,
yet prevailing conditions of MVFR are to be expected with
northerly winds. Overcast MVFR conditions are likely tonight
(>85%) for the coastal areas. Minimal day time clearing to VFR is
expected tomorrow before 00Z with MVFR being the continued
prevailing condition through Saturday along the coast. Inland,
terrain influenced winds are expected through 03Z then drainage
winds <3kts are expected through the evening before winds increase
again, primarily out of the NNW by 20Z (+/- 1hr). VFR is expected
for all areas outside of the marine layer. DS


&&

.PREV DISCUSSION... /issued 344 PM PDT Fri Sep 18 2026/

KEY MESSAGES...

* Warmer and drier interior temperatures into the weekend with
  highs in the 90s by Sunday.

* A shallow but strong marine layer forming close to shore with
  persistent marine clouds.

* Similar warm and dry conditions early next week with potential
  clearing near shore by Monday.

SYNOPSIS...High pressure building will allow for slightly warmer
than normal interior temperatures through the weekend. Meanwhile,
persistent marine stratus will hang along shore. Similar conditions
will continue into early next week.

DISCUSSION...High pressure had started to rebuild across the area.
The day started with extensive marine influence stretching far into
inland valleys. Despite the slow start, high pressure has allowed for
interior locations to warm back into the 80s. Marine influence has
been persistent along shore with thick stratus remaining all day.

High pressure will continue to strengthen through the weekend. By
Sunday, highs for eastern interior valleys will most likely reach
the low to mid 90s. Marine influence will become increasingly
shallow but remain persistent along shore. Weak low pressure moving
into the central California Coast early next week will weaken high
pressure, but temperatures will most likely remain slight above
normal for the interior. For the coast, the low could disrupt the
marine layer, allow for some sunnier skies and warmer temperatures by
Monday and Tuesday.

Most ensemble members show high pressure reforming around Wednesday
and Thursday. This high pressure will most likely be moderate, but a
few members continue to show it stronger, possibly allowing for some
interior locations to graze 100 degrees. Most ensemble members also
show a weak cold front of some description late next week, but
essentially none of them show any wetting rain. /JHW

AVIATION...Extensive marine influence socked in near coastal
valleys with fog early this morning.. Marine clouds have only
slightly lifted to mostly MVFR conditions this afternoon. Some brief
scattering is possible early this evening, but IFR ceilings will
almost certainly rebound all long the coast before sundown. High
pressure will encourage a narrow but persistent deck of clouds along
shore through the weekend. /JHW

&

MARINE...Gentle winds have turned northerly though the day
today with some more moderate winds starting to form just downwind
of Cape Mendocino. Moderate to strong northerly winds will gradually
return to the southern waters overnight gradually spread north
through the weekend, though winds will most likely remain much
calmer closer to shore. Short period wind waves will dominate the
marine environment building over 8 feet in the outer waters by
Sunday. There remains only a very minor southwest mid period swell
up to 2 feet to speak of. /JHW

&&

.EKA WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
CA...
None.
NORTHWEST CALIFORNIA COASTAL WATERS...
     Small Craft Advisory from midnight tonight to 9 PM PDT
     Sunday for PZZ455.

     Small Craft Advisory from 3 AM to 9 PM PDT Sunday for
     PZZ470.

     Small Craft Advisory until 9 PM PDT Sunday for PZZ475.

&&

$$

NOTE: The full forecast discussion is now regularly issued between
10 am/pm and 1 pm/am. Additional updates will be issued as needed.

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