352
FXUS66 KEKA 282117
AFDEKA

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
National Weather Service Eureka CA
217 PM PDT Tue Jul 28 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

* Moderate risk for sneaker waves along the Lost Coast and
  Mendocino Coast through Wednesday.

* Elevated fire danger ends Today for interior areas due to
  breezy afternoon winds and low RH.

* Coastal stratus likely to form each night and clear each
  afternoon through at least the middle of the week.

* Hot temperatures return late week into the weekend.

&&

.SYNOPSIS...Near to slightly below normal temperatures are likely
for the interior areas, while near to slightly above normal coastal
temperatures are likely to continue through Wednesday. Breezy
afternoon winds elevate fire danger in eastern Trinity, eastern
Mendocino, and Lake counties. Hot interior temperatures return
late this week.


&&

.DISCUSSION...The extended period of lighter northerly winds has
shut down much of the coastal upwelling. This has created warmer
than average coastal water temperatures, into the low 60s, and a
weaker low level inversion. The lack of cool air advection from
the coastal waters and quickly dispersing daytime stratus will
once again lead to some warmer coastal temperatures Today. The
northerlies will be trending higher today and through the rest of this
week, allowing for more typical seabreeze temperature moderation.

A continued troughing pattern will once again bring breezy
afternoon wind gusts of 20 to 30 mph for interior areas, mainly
in the higher elevations and channeled terrain (such as Clear Lake
and the Trinity River Valley). Low afternoon relative humidities
in Trinity, eastern Mendocino, and Lake counties along with these
winds brings an elevated fire weather threat.

There is high confidence in high pressure rebuilding over the area
later this week. NBM is showing moderate to high probabilities
for high temperatures in the triple digits for most interior
valleys starting Friday and continuing into next week. Currently,
minor to moderate HeatRisk is expected. Gusty northwest winds are
also forecast for the region the rest of this week and through the
weekend. /JB/JJW


&&

.AVIATION...A deeper coastal stratus layer eroded to the immediate
coast at most locations in Northwest California by mid to late
morning. A period of general clearing or scattering will persist
into this evening for most coastal terminals with another deep
marine layer forming and bringing IFR/LIFR ceilings for coastal
terminals and potentially MVFR conditions to near coast terminals.
Gusty northwest winds are anticipated for most terminals each
afternoon through the end of the week. Most interior terminals can
expected VFR conditions through the TAF period.


&&

.MARINE...Northerly winds will continue to trend higher over all
marine zones today. Winds north of Cape Mendocino look to
generally remain below 20 kts through the week. The focus of
stronger northerlies will remain around and south of Cape
Mendocino. Northerlies will strengthen to 20-25 kts in these
southern zones, locally with gale gust conditions and sustained
winds to 30 kts around the Cape. Short period northerly seas will
increase over the waters while a small persistent long period
southerly swell is reinforced by a second today. A ridge of high
pressure will strengthen through the weekend, bringing increased
chances for gale strength northerlies. /JJW


&&

.FIRE WEATHER...Breezy westerly winds will continue each afternoon
this week and through the weekend. For interior areas, particularly
breezy gusts of 20 to 30 mph over the ridges and channeled
terrain of eastern Trinity, northeast Mendocino, and Lake
Counties along with low afternoon RHs in the teens and 20s could
elevate fire danger today. Localized and brief critical
conditions are possible with these low RHs and winds. Overnight
recoveries are expected to be good aside from the higher
elevations of Lake and eastern Trinity County.

Closer to the coast, a deep marine layer brings high RH and
perhaps stratus and/or fog into the river valleys overnight.
Afternoon RH ranges from 60s to 80s near the immediate coast to
20s to 40s in interior Humboldt, Del Norte, and western Mendocino
Counties.

Ridging rebuilds later this week and into the weekend bringing
much warmer high temperatures to the interior with most valleys
forecast to reach the high 90s and triple digits. Afternoon RHs
will again be in the teens and 20s for the eastern interior. Weak
shortwaves arrive over this same period which may support some
breezier afternoons along with this heat and low afternoon RH.
Confidence is low at this time, but elevated fire weather
conditions are again possible. /JB


&&

.BEACH HAZARDS...A long period southerly swell, with periods up
to 19 seconds, remains from tropical systems in the Eastern
Pacific. A second reinforcing long period southerly swell arrives
today. These energetic swells will bring a low to moderate risk
of sneaker waves that would be most hazardous on steep, south and
southwest facing beaches along the Lost Coast and Mendocino Coast.

Sneaker waves are a unique hazard, with up to 30 minutes between
waves. Large, unexpected waves can sweep across the beach without
warning, sweeping people into the sea from rocks, jetties, and
beaches. These sneaker waves can also move large objects such as
logs, crushing anyone caught underneath. Even ankle to knee deep
water can knock you down and drag you out when a sneaker wave hits.
Pay attention and stay above the high water line and any wet sand to
stay safe. If the ground is wet, waves have surged there recently.
Stay safe and never turn your back on the ocean! /JJW


&&

.EKA WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
CA...
     Beach Hazards Statement through Wednesday afternoon for
     CAZ104-109.

NORTHWEST CALIFORNIA COASTAL WATERS...
     Small Craft Advisory until 9 PM PDT Wednesday for PZZ455-
     475.

&&

$$

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

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https://www.weather.gov/images/eka/zonemap.png