666 FXUS66 KEKA 141228 AFDEKA AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION National Weather Service Eureka CA 428 AM PST Thu Nov 14 2019 .SYNOPSIS...Cool, cloudy conditions can be expected today, with light rain expected in some areas Friday morning. Sneaker waves and building surf are expected along area beaches this afternoon through early Friday morning. A warming and drying trend is expected over the weekend through Monday. Additional light rain will be possible Tuesday and Wednesday. && .DISCUSSION...While weather conditions remain quiet across the region tonight, some changes are on the way, albeit only temporary ones. Expansive mid and high cloud cover has spread into the region as a weak upper level low pressure system approaches from the west, with even some very light precipitation echoes on radar as well. However, aside from perhaps a few light sprinkles on the taller mountains, this precipitation is largely not reaching the ground. This is expected to continue much of the day, with widespread virga, mostly cloudy skies, and slightly cooler temperatures expected. However, another system and an accompanying cold front will arrive shortly thereafter, bringing some light rain to parts of the area as soon as early Friday morning. The focus of this precipitation will be across primarily northern Humboldt and Del Norte counties, where between .10 and .30 inches of rain is forecast. Elsewhere, only a few hundredths of an inch to a trace of rain can be expected. This rain will continue through at least the late morning before tapering off during the afternoon. This rain should also at least temporarily help to scour away some of the pesky marine stratus and fog that has been a mainstay along the coast in recent days. Saturday through Monday, a warming and drying trend can be expected as high pressure builds across the region. Marine clouds and fog are also likely to redevelop, although this may not occur until late Sunday or even Monday night due to the arriving drier airmass and persistence of light offshore winds through early Sunday. By sometime Tuesday, another weak weather system may push through the region, bringing another opportunity for modest rainfall. Confidence is low on the timing of this system and also the potential coverage of rain, but early indications are that precipitation amounts will not be particularly significant both in terms of area rivers and fire weather...particularly in southern areas where rain is needed the most. Following the passage of this front, a noticeable cooling trend is expected through the end of the week. There will also be the potential for additional offshore winds, but confidence is low regarding this threat. && .AVIATION...This shift started off with fog along the Redwood Coast, but visibilities have improved and ceilings lifted somewhat as a trough approaches the area and the marine layer deepens. Expect further improvements through the morning hours. Expect some light rain by late Thursday night as a cold front moves into the area. Low ceilings are currently advecting N over KUKI. These clouds should linger through mid-morning with only minor visibility reductions. Winds will be light across the area. /SEC && .MARINE...Light winds will become southerly and increase a bit today and tonight ahead of a front, but speeds are expected to remain below advisory criteria. Winds will become northerly again by the weekend, with speeds finally approaching advisory levels across at least the S outer waters by Saturday. A long period W to NW swell will build rapidly this afternoon with initial periods of around 20 seconds. The swell will build to nearly 11 feet at 16 seconds by Friday morning, with swell heights slowly subsiding into the weekend. See the Beach Hazards section for more info. /SEC && .BEACH HAZARDS...Building large, long period W to NW swell will bring a threat for sneaker waves this afternoon into Friday. Due to the generally light SE to S winds across the area, short period waves should be minimal. Due to uncertainty and the possibility of forerunners, changed the start time of the Beach Hazards Statement to noon today. /SEC && .FIRE WEATHER...Cooler, more humid conditions are expected today, along with increased cloud cover and occasional very light sprinkles. Light, wetting rain will be possible in some areas Friday morning, but this will largely be restricted to Humboldt and Del Norte counties and be mostly less than 1/3 inch even in the wettest areas. A drier airmass will move into the region quickly overnight Friday through Monday, bringing with it lower humidity and warmer temperatures. Some breezy offshore winds will also be possible across some exposed ridges Saturday morning, particularly Mendocino County, but speeds are not expected to warrant a Red Flag Warning. Light offshore winds will continue through at least early Sunday, and possibly early Monday as well, but again wind speeds are expected to be light. Another cold front will move through the area sometime Tuesday, bringing another chance for some light wetting rain. Confidence is low regarding expected rain amounts and coverage, and this front may also be followed by additional offshore winds. This feature will need to be followed closely, as a wide range of implications on fire weather remain possible. /BRC && .EKA WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... CA...Beach Hazards Statement from noon PST today through Friday morning for CAZ101-103-104-109. Small Craft Advisory from 4 AM Friday to noon PST Saturday for CAZ101-109. NORTHWEST CALIFORNIA COASTAL WATERS...Small Craft Advisory from 4 AM Friday to noon PST Saturday for PZZ450-455-475. Small Craft Advisory from 10 PM this evening to noon PST Saturday for PZZ470. && $$ 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