Area Forecast Discussion

SYNOPSIS

High pressure building will allow for slightly warmer than normal interior temperatures through the weekend. Meanwhile, persistent marine stratus will hang along shore. Similar conditions will continue into early next week.

DISCUSSION

High pressure continued to build today with the hottest interior valleys reaching 90 under clear skies. A shallower but persistent marine layer has formed along shore with gray skies all day long around Humboldt Bay.

High pressure will continue to strengthen through the weekend. By Sunday, highs for eastern interior valleys will most likely reach the mid 90s. Marine influence will become increasingly shallow but remain persistent along shore. Weak low pressure moving into the Central California Coast around Tuesday will weaken high pressure, but temperatures will most likely remain slightly above normal for the interior. For the coast, the low could disrupt the marine layer with weak offshore flow , allowing for some sunnier skies and warmer temperatures by Monday and Tuesday.

Most ensemble members show high pressure reforming around Wednesday and Thursday. This high pressure will most likely be moderate, but a few members (10% chance) continue to show it stronger, possibly allowing for some interior locations to graze 100 degrees. Most ensemble members also show a weak cold front of some description late in the week breaking the high pressure, but essentially none of them show any wetting rain. /JHW

AVIATION

High pressure has enabled a persistent deck of marine stratus all along shore through the day. Ceilings have barely lifted to MVFR with just a few breaks expected through the afternoon. Ceilings will almost certainly lower back to IFR by sunset, but true LIFR conditions are relatively unlikely (25% chance) at terminals with fog remaining diffuse. There is a slightly better chance of clearing Sunday, but persistent stratus is most likely. Otherwise VFR conditions persist all through the interior. /JHW &

MARINE

Moderate north winds have persisted in the southern waters today, though winds have been much calmer close to shore. Seas have been slow to rise, with buoys only showing seas to 5 feet around Pt. Arena. Winds have remained more gentle in the northern waters. More moderate northerly winds will push into the northern outer waters Sunday. Short period wind waves will dominate the marine environment building over 8 feet in the outer waters by Sunday night. There remains only a very minor southwest mid period swell up to 2 feet to speak of. /JHW

EKA WATCHES / WARNINGS / ADVISORIES

CA... None. NORTHWEST CALIFORNIA COASTAL WATERS... Small Craft Advisory until 3 PM PDT Monday for PZZ455-475.

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