Gale Watch 23, NWS Eureka, CA

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
National Weather Service Eureka CA
243 PM PDT Sun May 18 2025

.SYNOPSIS...Northerly winds continue to gusts up this morning,
although at a reduced and intermittent pattern. Monday the warmup
starts, but there may be some clouds in the afternoon. Tuesday and
Wednesday additional warming is expected with highs around 90
inland. Cooler temperatures are expected late in the week.

&&

.DISCUSSION...High pressure is building over the region this
afternoon. This has brought clearing skies and breezy conditions.
Temperatures are warming into the 70s in many of the valleys.
Tonight some stratus is expected to return late tonight and may
make it well up the river valleys. Late tonight into Monday
morning a weak shortwave moving over the top of the ridge is
expected to bring some light rain or showers to mainly Del Norte
county. This system has been trending farther south in the models
so it is possible Eureka will see some very light precip as well.
Frost is possible again tonight, but with the approaching weather
system there may be a few too many clouds to allow temperatures to
drop into the low to mid 30s. Temperatures in the afternoon will
be similar to today in the north, but should see some warming in
the south.

Tuesday and Wednesday high pressure builds in more substantially
and should bring highs around 80 on Tuesday and highs in the mid
to upper 80s on Wednesday. These temperatures should be warm
enough to limit the potential for frost overnight. Thursday and
Friday the ridge is gradually getting squashed down with cooling
temperatures and increasing marine clouds. Little to no rain is
expected at this point, but there are a few of the models bringing
in some light rain Friday night. Saturday high pressure starts to
build in again with temperatures rebounding. MKK

&&

.AVIATION...Skies have cleared this afternoon with VFR conditions
present at all the terminals. Gusty northerlies this afternoon will
subside this evening and overnight. A weak front moving toward the
area will bring gradually lowering ceilings tonight for ACV and CEC.
Light rain showers with IFR/MVFR conditions are possible as the
front moves on shore early Monday morning. NBM is showing around a
50% chance for MVFR or worse ceilings to persist through Monday. UKI
will likely see mostly clear skies and a LLWS threat for stronger
NW winds 1500-2000 ft AGL tonight. JB

&&

.MARINE...Northerly winds continue to diminish today, especially
north of Cape Mendocino. South of the Cape, winds remain strong with
near-gale force gusts possible this afternoon. A weak front moving
through will ease winds further tonight and bring lighter
southerlies north of the Cape. Seas will generally ease Monday.
Northerlies increase again Monday night into Tuesday, with near-gale
to gale force gusts possible again in the lee of the Cape and 25-30
kt gusts possible elsewhere by Tuesday afternoon. Along with steep
wind waves, a mid-period NW swell fills in Tuesday, elevating seas
further. Stronger northerlies continue through at least Wednesday,
then may weaken some late week. JB

&&

.EKA WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
CA...
None.
NORTHWEST CALIFORNIA COASTAL WATERS...
     Small Craft Advisory until 3 AM PDT Monday for PZZ455-475.

&&

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