616 FXUS66 KEKA 190731 AFDEKAAREA FORECAST DISCUSSION National Weather Service Eureka CA 1231 AM PDT Fri Sep 19 2025
.SYNOPSIS...Inland tempertures will trend lower with the arrival of cloud cover and isolated showers. Thunderstorm activity is expected through Saturday. A sharp warmup will begin Monday and peak Tuesday and taper off through the end of the work week. Additional showers will be possible early to mid next week.
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.DISCUSSION...An open wave upper low is forming offshore with weak surface features as it attempts to organize, there will be increased forcing and drawing of moisture westward through the coastal regions. Models continue to become more aggressive with this westward push, and precipitation/thunderstorm chances have been increased over the coast. A stray thunderstorm cannot be ruled out along the coast or coastal waters as well. Nocturnal thunderstorms eased by 04z but the cyclonic motion will source moisture from the south as another push is forecast for Friday, convective activity is possible as the afternoon approaches and the day heating boosts air parcel ascent. This is forecast mainly for the southern counties as a stronger vorticity maximum pushes through, though instability is greatly in question Friday as the significant cloud shield and ongoing showers/light rain could inhibit daytime heating. Trinity County currently has the greatest chance for Thunderstorms Friday, but activity may spread into the surrounding counties.
Models begin pulling the moisture out Saturday, but this day does appear to have a good chance for diurnal clearing and surface heating. This may bring the greatest coverage and probability (25+%) for interior thunderstorms for mainly Trinity County.
A sharp warmup is forecast Monday and will peak Tuesday, tapering off as the end of the work week approaches. Inland temperatures reach the upper 90s to 100 early to mid week. There are some indications another area of low pressure, which may drive in deeper moisture again early to mid next week. /JJW /EYS
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.AVIATION...(06Z TAFs)...Considerable variability and uncertainty this TAF cycle as mid level moisture from the remnants of a tropical disturbance spreads over the area. VFR cigs above 10kft are generally expected except for periodic IFR at coastal terminals. Isolated high based thunderstorms are likely as tropical moisture spreads into the area through the day on Friday. Latent heating may yield a few early morning storms, however solar heating will likely lead to destabilization and stronger deep moist convection. Greater coverage of cloud-to-ground lightning strikes and perhaps heavy rain showers are expected Friday afternoon and evening. Also, erratic and gusty winds are possible with storms. Stratus layer near and along the coast should be a bit more disturbed on Friday. Rapid fluctuations between IFR and VFR may occur for coastal terminals. Coastal stratus should settle in firmly Friday night.
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.MARINE...Large steep waves will steadily subside Friday as northerlies decrease over the outer waters and southerlies develop across the inners. Isolated thunderstorms and lightning strikes with perhaps gusty and erratic winds will be possible into the morning hours Friday.
Winds and seas will ease considerably by Saturday, followed by a slight increase of northerlies and short period waves Sunday into Monday. A NW swell of 5ft around 12 seconds is expected with winds between 10-20kts across all the waters.
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.FIRE WEATHER...A tropical system is pushing moisture in from the south. Shower and isolated thunderstorms are expected to return Friday for northern Mendocino and Trinity county, continuing Saturday especially near the Trinity horn. Thunderstorm formation Friday will be somewhat dependent on how much clearing can occur through the afternoon. Shower and thunderstorm chances continue to Saturday for mainly Trinity County with up to 25% chances for northern Trinity County. Some activity is also expected around the borders of surrounding counties. A sharp warmup will then occur Monday and peak Tuesday with inland temperatures reaching the upper 90s to 100, tapering off towards the end of the week. There are some indications another area of low pressure may drive in deeper moisture again early to mid next week. JJW
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.EKA WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... CA... None. NORTHWEST CALIFORNIA COASTAL WATERS... Hazardous Seas Warning until 3 AM PDT early this morning for PZZ450-475.
Small Craft Advisory until 3 AM PDT early this morning for PZZ455.
Gale Warning until 3 AM PDT early this morning for PZZ470.
Hazardous Seas Warning until 11 AM PDT this morning for PZZ470.
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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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