Hazardous Seas Warning 8, NWS Eureka, CA

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
National Weather Service Eureka CA
321 PM PDT Fri Mar 20 2026

.SYNOPSIS...Unseasonable warmth with widespread minor heat risk in
the interior is forecast to abate this weekend into early next week.
Coastal northerlies will increase on Saturday after passage of a
front. Next chance for rain is expected Tuesday into Wednesday.

&&

.DISCUSSION...A persistent and anomalously strong ridge centered
over the Desert Southwest continued to bring unseasonably warm
temperatures Friday. A cold front was observed on water vapor
imagery riding above the ridge. The ridge will finally begin to
weaken as the front progresses southward and flow gradually turns
more zonal aloft.

Little to no precipitation is expected with this front, but
persistent light, coastal drizzle may accumulate a few hundredths
of an inch Friday night through Saturday morning. Northerly winds
will turn breezy Saturday with the passing of the front. Daytime
temperatures will be significantly cooler Saturday behind the
front, but inland temperatures will still remain above
climatological normals with strengthening surface high pressure.

A stronger frontal system will descend southward Tuesday. Models are
torn on how much precipitation falls with it, which may only be a
half inch or so over northern Humboldt and Del Norte. A small
percentage of ensemble members, mainly from GFS, hold 6 hour
rainfall amounts of up to an inch for Del Norte. This front will
contain anomalously high precipitable water values (over 200%
percent of normal), enhanced 925 mb southerly winds (around
2000ft up), and relatively high IVT values. The front will be very
quick moving, but a brief period of heavy rainfall rates are
possible. If the low takes a farther track north, there will be
much less rainfall and lighter southerly winds. The NBM 90th
percentile (worst case) does show a period of maximum gusts up to
40 mph, so the systems will be watched.

&&

.AVIATION...Shallow marine stratus has advanced in ahead of a
cold front. The stratus has brought LIFR CIGs down to 200 ft
Friday afternoon. The front will bring chances for light drizzle
and for deepening/lifting of the ceiling. Current probability for
ceilings levels less than 500 ft are relative high through 12Z
Saturday (40 to 60%), with a likely turn to IFR thereafter. MOS
guidance is beginning to hang on to LIFR levels longer Saturday,
but the pattern favors some lifting. Northerly winds will turn
breezy Saturday afternoon behind the front.

&&

.MARINE...Calmer winds and seas will come to an end today as
northerly winds increase over the southern waters with wind gusts
over 25kts by this evening. Winds will continue to build and spread
northward with gale conditions in the outer waters by Saturday
afternoon. Gusts close to 25 kts will most likely push right
alongshore with the afternoon sea breeze. Similar winds will persist
Sunday before tapering off early next week.

Steep short period seas will build alongside the winds in excess of
11 feet at 9 seconds by Saturday night. Even where winds are weaker
in the inner waters, steep seas will permeate close to shore. Wind
waves will dominate the environment with only very weak swells
through the weekend. /JHW

&&

.CLIMATE...

Station/Forecast/Record/Date
-------/--------/------/----
KCEC       64      76   1930
KEKA       62      67   2004
KUKI      *91      85   1960
----------------------------
*(Potential Tied or Broken Record)

&&

.EKA WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
CA...
None.
NORTHWEST CALIFORNIA COASTAL WATERS...
     Small Craft Advisory from 11 AM Saturday to 3 PM PDT Sunday
     for PZZ450.

     Small Craft Advisory from 11 PM this evening to 3 PM PDT
     Sunday for PZZ455.

     Small Craft Advisory from 3 AM to 3 PM PDT Saturday for
     PZZ470.

     Gale Warning from 3 PM Saturday to 9 PM PDT Sunday for
     PZZ470-475.

     Small Craft Advisory until 3 PM PDT Saturday 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