Small Craft Advisory 109, NWS Eureka, CA

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
National Weather Service Eureka CA
406 AM PDT Sat Oct 14 2023

.SYNOPSIS...With the passage of a frontal boundary yesterday, the
weekend will continue to be mostly cool and cloudy. A stronger front
is forecast to move through the area on Monday bringing widespread
light rain, with localized heavier amounts. A brief period of warmer
and drier weather is expected by mid-week.

&&

.DISCUSSION...A weak front moved ashore yesterday with trailing
light rain and drizzle continuing into the early morning hours.
Additionally, cooler and cloudier overall conditions will persist
through the weekend. Even warm interior valleys are forecast to only
reach the mid to upper 60s. Unfortunately, there is little chance of
clear skies for the solar eclipse this morning, particularly along
the coast. Winds will generally turn southeast tomorrow aiding in
the scattering of clouds, at least for the interior. This will allow
highs to warm back into the 70s. High moisture throughout the
weekend will likely help generate at least patchy valley and coastal
fog.

A more well defined cold front remains on track to traverse the area
by early Monday morning. Up to 2 inches of rain can be expected in
the highest, wind enhanced areas of the Klamath and King Mountain
ranges with NBM showing a 60 to 70 percent chance of 2 inches for
these areas. Lower elevation areas, especially around the
downsloping areas of Humboldt Bay, are more likely to see amounts
closer to 1 inch or slightly less. About 0.5 to 1.0 inches are
likely further east and south with barely a wetting rain in Lake
County. Another round of gusty southerlies are expected along the
front near the coast and on exposed ridges. NBM generally shows
above a 50 percent chance of gusts over 20 knots for coastal areas
of Humboldt and Del Norte counties with a 60 to 80 percent chance of
gusts over 30 knots for the higher terrains of the King and Klamath
Mountain ranges.

For the middle of next week, all the cluster ensemble members show
moderate ridging. This will usher in at least a brief period of
warmer and drier weather with interior highs back near 80.

&&

.AVIATION...With a cold front stalled over the region, widespread low clouds are
in place across Northwest California. Ceilings are ranging from LIFR
to low end VFR while visibility has been reduced within shower
activity. This front will gradually dissipate and/or move north as a
warm front later today. This should result in improving conditions
at the terminals through the afternoon and tonight. Another cold
front will approach the area on Monday bringing more rain and gusty
south winds. /RPA

&&

.MARINE...Generally light to moderate southerly winds will persist over the
weekend as a series of west and northwest swells as steep as 8 feet
at 12 seconds build into the coastal waters. A longer period swell
nearing 5 ft at 20 seconds is expected Saturday night into Sunday
during a period of calmer winds. This will bring an increased threat
of sneaker waves to all beaches and coastal areas in the region.
Another frontal passage early next week will bring increasing
southerlies and elevated seas. Gale force wind gusts will be
possible late Sunday night into Monday with steep seas at 8 to 12 ft
expected, especially in the northern outer waters.

&&

.BEACH HAZARDS...There will be a moderate sneaker wave threat on
Sunday as a long period northwest swell of around 5 feet at 20
seconds impacts Northwest California beaches. Any beachgoers
should avoid steeply sloped beaches and choose flatter beaches for
a safer visit. Stay safe on the coast and avoid climbing rocks
and jetties, keep a good distance from the ocean, and never turn
your back on the ocean.

KMZ

&&

.EKA WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
CA...
     Beach Hazards Statement from late tonight through late
     Sunday night for CAZ101-103-104-109.

NORTHWEST CALIFORNIA COASTAL WATERS...
None.
&&

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