


Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Eureka, CA
Issued by NWS Eureka, CA
737 FXUS66 KEKA 061229 AFDEKA AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION National Weather Service Eureka CA 424 AM PDT Sun Apr 6 2025 .SYNOPSIS...A quick moving frontal system arrives this morning, bringing gusty south wind and moderate to heavy rain to Del Norte and Humboldt counties. && .DISCUSSION...A quick moving frontal system moves into the area this morning, bringing another round of rain and breezy winds. Del Norte County is forecast to see moderate to locally heavy rain. HREF probabilities for rain rates over 0.3 in/hr is around 30-50% for much of Del Norte county. Forecast rain totals through Monday are around 2.5-3.0 inches in Del Norte. Mainly light to moderate rain is forecast south of Del Norte. Humboldt is forecast to see 0.5-1.5 inches, with the highest amounts north of Humboldt Bay and in the King Range. Trinity, Mendocino, and Lake counties are forecast to see anywhere from a few hundredths to a quarter inch, with locally higher amounts in the higher terrain. Snow levels start high, around 8000-9000 ft, and drop to 5000-6000 ft tonight into Monday morning. Little to no impacts to mountain passes are expected, apart from occasional rain/snow mix at Scott Mountain Pass Monday. Southerly winds are forecast to be breezy. HREF is showing high probabilities for gusts exceeding 30 mph on the coastal headlands and ridges of Del Norte and Humboldt. Precipitation turns showery tonight into Monday, with mainly light showers expected. Additional rounds of light rain and breezy south winds are possible Tuesday and Thursday in Humboldt and Del Norte counties as weaker fronts pass by. NBM has 30-40% probabilities for over a tenth of an inch of precipitation In Del Norte both days, with lower probabilities to the south. Most ensemble members continue this pattern of weak frontal systems bringing light rain potential late week into the weekend, though timing and positioning vary. JB && .AVIATION...Deteriorating flying conditions are expected for North Coast terminals this afternoon and evening as a front pushes onshore. IFR conditions in light to moderate rain along with low level wind shear or turbulence in the boundary layer is forecast for KCEC and KACV. Conditions will also deteriorate for KUKI municipal tonight as a westerly influx of moisture pushes over the coastal ranges and into the interior valleys. DB && .MARINE...Buoy observation overnight and early this morning showed a broad spectrum of generally small waves made up of a long period group at 21 seconds and multiple shorter period bands less than 15 seconds. Total combined sea state was no more than 3 feet. The long period westerly swell will build today and crest around 10-12 ft this afternoon and evening. Southerly winds and steep SW waves with a frontal boundary will also increase this afternoon. There is a chance of southerly wind gusts to 35kt or more this afternoon into early evening, 40-60% chance, north of Cape Mendocino. Winds should ease mid to late evening after frontal passage followed by another increase late tonight into Monday morning. Seas will remain steep and elevated through Monday due to a combinations of a decaying westerly swell and steep SW wind waves. DB && .BEACH HAZARDS...Moderate sneaker wave risk continues this morning through this evening. A long period westerly swell of 3-4 ft at 21 seconds entered the coastal waters overnight. This wave group will build through the day, cresting around 10-12 ft at 18 seconds by early afternoon. Greatest risk appears to be along the Mendocino coast, due to lighter winds and beaches seemingly more tranquil or safe with less short period wave hazards. Long period waves can generate lulls in wave activity ending with a large set of breaking waves that wash much farther up beach than previous waves. Be cautious visiting steep beaches and jetties on Sunday and remember to never turn your back on the ocean! DB && .EKA WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... CA... Beach Hazards Statement through this evening for CAZ101-103- 104-109. NORTHWEST CALIFORNIA COASTAL WATERS... Small Craft Advisory from 1 PM this afternoon to 10 AM PDT Monday for PZZ450-455. Small Craft Advisory from 10 AM this morning to 11 PM PDT Monday for PZZ470. Small Craft Advisory from noon today to 11 PM PDT Monday for PZZ475. && $$ Visit us at https://www.weather.gov/eureka Follow us on Facebook and Twitter at: https://www.facebook.com/NWSEureka https://www.twitter.com/NWSEureka For forecast zone information see the forecast zone map online: https://www.weather.gov/images/eka/zonemap.png