Special Weather Statement, NWS Eureka, CA

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
National Weather Service Eureka CA
1150 AM PDT Thu Apr 9 2026

.SYNOPSIS...Showers and thunderstorms continue through Friday.
Thunderstorms may be strong to severe today. Cooler and wetter
weather arrives Saturday, bringing widespread rain and mountain
snow.

&&

.DISCUSSION...A closed low currently located off the coast of
northern California will slowly continue to move towards the area
today and Friday. Showers and thunderstorms have already started to
develop across the area. Thunder may be heard even from the Humboldt
and Del Norte coasts! For the interior, thunderstorms could become
strong to severe with high CAPE of 1000 to 1500 J/kg and effective
bulk shear of 30 to 40 kts. These ingredients for storms to become
organized and potentially severe. Organized storms could support
large hail (quarter sized or larger in diameter) and strong, gusty
winds up to 60 mph. Weak rotation may also develop with the more
organized storms, meaning the risk for a funnel cloud or weak
tornado is nonzero(!), but still very low. These strong storms will
likely not be widespread, but numerous storms are likely to have
small hail and gusty winds. On top of the wind, hail, and frequent
lightning, heavy downpours are likely with these storms. Should
training showers develop, leading to heavy rainfall localized over
the same area, flash flooding could develop. Localized areas of 1-
2+" of rain are possible today within these training cells. Outside
these areas, 0.10-0.75" is expected.

The low slowly moves southeast tonight into Friday and will be just
off the coast of Mendocino or Sonoma Counties by Friday morning.
Showers and afternoon thunderstorms are likely again Friday, with
the most activity for the interior. Some coastal thunder can't be
ruled out, but it would be more likely today. Storms are looking a
little weaker Thursday, but still frequent lightning, small hail,
and gusty winds up to 40 mph are possible. Heavy rainfall in
localized areas with rain rates of over 0.5" an hour is possible
again. Flash flooding is possible within areas of training showers.

Wet and cooler weather continues on Saturday as an upstream and much
colder trough and closed low comes barreling down from the NW and
kicks/absorbs the first low. Most all the models have trended much
wetter for this storm system, which will include high mountain snow
and a period of gusty to perhaps locally strong southerly winds
around and south of Cape Mendocino and through Lake County. NBM
chances for over an inch of rainfall in 24 hours are high for much
of the region (60-80%). Chances for over 2 inches are also high in
the King Range and the mountains of Del Norte and southern Trinity.
This low looks to be quite dynamic regarding forcing and associated
instability. A convective band or line of moderate to locally heavy
rainfall and some thunderstorms will be possible, especially given
the preceding saturated column and high precipitable water values.

Snow levels drop to around 3500 to 4000 ft by Saturday night. NBM is
showing around a 40% chance for over 4" of snow on Highway 3 at
Scott Mountain Pass and a 15% chance on Highway 36 at South Fork
Mountain. Cold temperatures aloft could support instability near the
coast, bringing showers with thunderstorms and possibly some small
hail. This will need to be watched as we get closer to this event.
NBM has low to moderate chances (25%) for snow levels below 3500 ft
late Saturday through Sunday. Lower snow levels are possible
depending on the track of the low.

Much colder temperatures are likely during and and behind this
frontal passage. Near-freezing to sub-freezing temperatures are
forecast, especially Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday mornings.Frost
advisories and/or freeze warnings might be needed. Looking
towards next week, about half of ensemble members show at least
weak ridging developing by mid next week, with the other half
showing the continuation of the troughing (wet) pattern. Stay
tuned! JB

&&

.AVIATION...(09/18Z TAFs)...Isolated SHRA (showers) continue moving
northward as a closed low approaches the area. Scattered to numerous
SHRA and possible VCTS (thunderstorms in the vicinity) are expected
between 09/20Z-10/04 for all TAF sites, especially for the coastal
terminals.

Expect mostly MVFR conditions with SHRA, dropping to IFR/LIFR
conditions with periods of heavy rain to impact the coastal
terminals. While periods of MVFR conditions with SHRA are expected
for UKI this afternoon. Expect gusty and erratic winds and possible
hail any TSRA (thunderstorm). SHRA activity is expected to gradually
diminish after 10/04Z, followed by scattered SHRA after 10/12Z.
/ZVS

&&

.MARINE....A closed low pressure is approaching the area promoting
light and variable winds across the waters. However, scattered to
numerous showers and isolated thunderstorms moving northward should
produce gusty winds. The strongest storms have the potential of
produce erratic gusty winds, small hail and lightning strikes.

There are some small swells moving through the waters, but these are
generally

Friday, gentle to moderate southerly breezes is expect as the
current low moves closer to nearshore.

For the weekend a stronger area of low pressure is expected and this
has the potential to bring stronger winds. The strength, timing and
location remain highly uncertain due to low confidence on the track
of the low. Monday high pressure starts to build into the area and
moderate to strong northerly winds return. /ZVS & MKK

&&

.EKA WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
CA...
None.
NORTHWEST CALIFORNIA COASTAL WATERS...
None.
&&

NOTE: The full forecast discussion is now regularly issued between
10 am/pm and 1 pm/am. Additional updates will be issued as needed.

Visit us at https://www.weather.gov/eureka

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter at:
https://www.facebook.com/NWSEureka
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For forecast zone information
see the forecast zone map online:
https://www.weather.gov/images/eka/zonemap.png

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Eureka CA
1140 AM PDT Thu Apr 9 2026

CAZ105-107-091915-
Northern Humboldt Interior CA-Northern Trinity CA-
1140 AM PDT Thu Apr 9 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN HUMBOLDT AND WEST
CENTRAL TRINITY COUNTIES UNTIL 1215 PM PDT...

At 1140 AM PDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Willow Creek, moving north at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible.

Locations impacted include...
  Hoopa, Willow Creek and Salyer.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

&&

LAT...LON 4085 12375 4114 12387 4119 12356 4088 12351
TIME...MOT...LOC 1840Z 168DEG 18KT 4092 12365

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH

ZVS

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Eureka CA
1159 AM PDT Thu Apr 9 2026

CAZ108-091930-
Southern Trinity CA-
1159 AM PDT Thu Apr 9 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT WEST CENTRAL TRINITY COUNTY
UNTIL 1230 PM PDT...

At 1159 AM PDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 6
miles south of Peanut, or 13 miles south of Hayfork, moving northwest
at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 30 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
  Hayfork, Peanut and Forest Glen.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

&&

LAT...LON 4038 12303 4030 12325 4054 12349 4068 12311
      4067 12311 4066 12310 4066 12311 4063 12308
TIME...MOT...LOC 1859Z 156DEG 10KT 4038 12316

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH

ZVS

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Eureka CA
1204 PM PDT Thu Apr 9 2026

CAZ105-107-091930-
Northern Humboldt Interior CA-Northern Trinity CA-
1204 PM PDT Thu Apr 9 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN HUMBOLDT AND
NORTHWESTERN TRINITY COUNTIES UNTIL 1230 PM PDT...

At 1204 PM PDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 5
miles east of Hoopa, moving north at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
  Hoopa and Weitchpec.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

&&

LAT...LON 4094 12347 4106 12378 4136 12384 4127 12344
      4125 12344 4124 12345 4122 12343 4116 12339
      4115 12338 4116 12335 4115 12333
TIME...MOT...LOC 1904Z 194DEG 17KT 4106 12357

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

ZVS

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Eureka CA
1218 PM PDT Thu Apr 9 2026

CAZ107-108-091945-
Southern Trinity CA-Northern Trinity CA-
1218 PM PDT Thu Apr 9 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT WEST CENTRAL TRINITY COUNTY
UNTIL 1245 PM PDT...

At 1218 PM PDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Hyampom, or 14 miles northwest of Hayfork, moving north at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and half inch size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
  Del Loma, Big Bar, Burnt Ranch, Hyampom and Helena.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

&&

LAT...LON 4077 12351 4092 12349 4092 12348 4093 12348
      4093 12347 4094 12347 4094 12345 4095 12344
      4088 12307 4057 12324 4058 12353
TIME...MOT...LOC 1917Z 194DEG 17KT 4065 12337

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

ZVS

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Eureka CA
1229 PM PDT Thu Apr 9 2026

CAZ105-092000-
Northern Humboldt Interior CA-
1229 PM PDT Thu Apr 9 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN HUMBOLDT COUNTY
UNTIL 1 PM PDT...

At 1229 PM PDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles south of Orleans, moving north at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and half inch size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
  Orleans.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

&&

LAT...LON 4113 12343 4119 12368 4138 12361 4138 12350
      4137 12347 4135 12348 4133 12348 4132 12346
      4128 12346 4127 12344 4125 12344 4124 12345
      4122 12343 4121 12343 4117 12340 4118 12341
      4116 12343
TIME...MOT...LOC 1928Z 194DEG 17KT 4121 12352

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

ZVS

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Eureka CA
1249 PM PDT Thu Apr 9 2026

CAZ107-108-092015-
Southern Trinity CA-Northern Trinity CA-
1249 PM PDT Thu Apr 9 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT WEST CENTRAL TRINITY COUNTY
UNTIL 115 PM PDT...

At 1249 PM PDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Del Loma, or 17 miles southeast of Willow Creek, moving north at 20
mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 30 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
  Del Loma, Burnt Ranch and Big Bar.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

&&

LAT...LON 4094 12357 4095 12357 4095 12356 4094 12354
      4093 12354 4093 12353 4092 12351 4092 12348
      4093 12347 4094 12347 4094 12345 4095 12344
      4094 12323 4071 12325 4070 12350
TIME...MOT...LOC 1949Z 179DEG 15KT 4075 12338

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH

ZVS