720
FXUS66 KEKA 091951
AFDEKA

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
National Weather Service Eureka CA
1151 AM PST Tue Dec 9 2025

.SYNOPSIS...Periodic coastal drizzle continues for areas of the
North Coast through mid week. A generally dry and warm weather
pattern is expected to prevail across NW CA mid to late week, with
record warmth likely for the interior.


&&

.DISCUSSION...Satellite imagery shows areas of stratus and fog in
many of the interior valleys late this morning. Low cloud cover
will gradually lift and scatter out today, giving way to a fairly
pleasant December afternoon. The main exception will be at the
northern Humboldt and Del Norte coasts, where stratus and drizzle
is likely to return this afternoon and evening. Precipitation
amounts are minimal with up to a few hundredths of an inch of
drizzle possible in Del Norte.

The persistent ridge of high pressure responsible for blocking
Pacific storm systems will strengthen and nose eastward through
the week. Significant warming for the interior will occur as a
result. The current forecast yields interior high temperatures
reaching 10-20F above climatological norms midweek through the
weekend. NBM shows a high probability (70% or higher) for the
warmer interior valleys, including Ukiah and much of Lake County,
to exceed 70 F Thursday and Friday. NBM probabilities for
exceeding 75F around Ukiah is around 50% for Thursday and Friday.
This would break the high temperature record of 72F from 1958 for
Ukiah on Friday if the forecast holds.

Ensembles and clusters are hinting at the weakening of the
stubborn ridge through the weekend. Precipitation chances start to
increase through the latter portion of the weekend. However, any
meaningful breakdown of the ridge or zonal flow may not occur
until early next week.


&&

.AVIATION...(18Z TAFs)...Fog and stratus have started to lift and
scatter across the area, ushering in MVFR to VFR conditions for
the terminals. An approaching front to the north will bring a
chance for drizzle or light rain, and likely gradually bring
ceilings down to MVFR or IFR for the coastal terminals. The weak
marine inversion could lead to scattering near sunrise at ACV, but
shallow ground fog is still a possibility. LIFR fog and stratus
may return for the interior valleys, including UKI, again tonight.
Any stratus and fog is likely to lift and scatter by mid-morning
Wednesday. JB


&&

.MARINE...Northerly winds are forecast to ramp up south of Cape
Mendocino this afternoon and evening and persist through at least
Friday. Wind gusts peak around 20-30 kts in the lee of Cape
Mendocino, with breezy winds reaching nearshore areas at times.
Steep wind waves of 5-7 ft are possible with these winds. North
of Cape Mendocino, winds remain light and southerly through at
least Thursday. North winds return late Thursday into Friday and
could be breezy in the outer waters. The sea state remains
dominated by mid-period northwest swells, with additional swells
filling in tonight into Wednesday and again Thursday. These will
keep the sea state elevated and combined seas could exceed 10 ft
at times, especially south of the Cape where the swell will
combine with the steep wind waves. Winds ease this weekend as high
pressure weakens. JB


&&

.BEACH HAZARDS...An increased threat of sneaker waves is expected
for the Del Norte, Humboldt, and Mendocino coastlines this Thursday.
A mid-period westerly swell generated by a storm currently located
near 45N,160W will enter the coastal waters early Thursday
morning. A lack of local wind waves will allow this swell to
dominate the sea state over an existing swell, creating beach
conditions that could look deceivingly calm. Forecast confidence
will grow as the swell passes NOAA/NDBC buoys Wednesday morning.
Remember to never turn your back to the ocean, and to avoid steep
beaches, jetties, outcroppings, and rocks during these events. DS


&&

.EKA WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
CA...
     Beach Hazards Statement from Thursday morning through
     Thursday evening for CAZ101-103-104-109.

NORTHWEST CALIFORNIA COASTAL WATERS...
     Small Craft Advisory from 3 PM Wednesday to 10 AM PST
     Thursday for PZZ455.

     Small Craft Advisory from 3 PM Wednesday to 2 AM PST Friday
     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.

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