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Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Eureka, CA

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929
FXUS66 KEKA 211121
AFDEKA

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
National Weather Service Eureka CA
421 AM PDT Sun Apr 21 2019

.SYNOPSIS...A warming and drying trend is expected today through
mid week, particularly across interior valleys where temperatures
will climb well into the 80s. Breezy north winds will continue
near the coast and along ridges. A gradual cooling trend is then
expected late in the week, with slight chances for showers across
mostly interior mountainous areas.

.DISCUSSION...A building ridge of high pressure across the West
Coast will drive a multi-day warming and drying trend throughout
northwest California beginning today. While afternoon temperatures
today will be somewhat mild, it will also very likely be the
coolest day of the work week as interior temperatures are
expected to climb well into the 80s by Tuesday. Meanwhile, breezy
northerly winds will continue near the coast and along ridges,
although speeds will likely be slightly lower today and through
the remainder of the week than what was observed Saturday. Skies
are also expected to be generally sunny across a majority of the
region, although southern Humboldt County is likely to be a
notable exception due to the persistence of somewhat high level
marine stratus that will be enhanced by orographic lift. This
pesky stratus may linger in places through tomorrow as well.

On Wednesday, the previously mentioned upper level ridge will
shift to the east, placing NW California back within a regime of
west and southwest flow aloft. This will allow for the passage of
several weak shortwave impulses late in the week, which could also
assist in the generation of isolated afternoon showers from
Wednesday through the end of the work week. In addition, this
pattern shift will lead to a gradual cooling trend from Thursday
through the end of the weekend. /BRC

.AVIATION...Marine stratus has remained mostly offshore, with the
exception being around Cape Mendocino. Low clouds and fog have
been observed in satellite imagery overnight across a good portion
of the forecast area. Coastal terminals have remained MVFR to VFR
overnight, with ceilings slowly rising at KACV and KCEC remaining
mostly cloud free. Forecast soundings suggest KCEC will remain
stratus free during the TAF period and a return of stratus is
possible early tonight at KACV. Patchy fog will be possible
through this morning at both coastal terminals, but MVFR to VFR
conditions are expected to prevail through the forecast period.
Gusty winds have subsided along the coast overnight, but gusty
conditions are expected to occur again from late this morning
through late this evening. Elsewhere, fog will be possible this
morning at KUKI, though confidence is low. Otherwise, inland
terminals are expected to remain VFR through tonight.

.MARINE...Gusty northerlies will continue through most of the
forecast period, especially in the southern outer waters which
will see near Gale Force gusts through early next week. Steep,
short- period seas will subside a little today as the winds
weaken. Though seas of 6 to 10 feet at 7 to 9 seconds are expected
to persist through Monday. Small Craft Advisories are in place
through at least Monday morning and will continue to be monitored
for necessary extensions, which seems likely. Otherwise, a west to
northwest mid- period swell will linger through the forecast
period.

.EKA WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
CA...None.
NORTHWEST CALIFORNIA COASTAL WATERS...Small Craft Advisory until 8 AM PDT Monday for PZZ450.

Small Craft Advisory until 11 AM PDT Monday for PZZ470-475.

Gale Warning until 5 AM PDT early this morning for PZZ470-475.

Small Craft Advisory until 11 AM PDT Monday for PZZ455.

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For forecast zone information
see the forecast zone map online:
http://www.weather.gov/eureka/zonemap.png

National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office