FXUS66 KEKA 200759 AFDEKA AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION National Weather Service Eureka CA 1259 AM PDT Wed May 20 2026 .SYNOPSIS...Clear and dry conditions will remain through the week with a warming trend through Thursday. A weak and shallow marine layer will hang along shore. Temperatures will trend lower this weekend weekend. && .KEY MESSAGES... - Northerly winds are much lighter, but will be breezy in the afternoons close to shore. - Generally clear skies and dry conditions, even along shore, through the week. - Conditions will warm through Thursday with highs in the interior peaking near 90. && .DISCUSSION...(Now through Friday)...Quiet and settled weather conditions persist across the forecast area as a broad upper- level ridge continue to build into the Northeastern Pacific. Latest satellite imagery shows an "insiders weak shortwave trough" driving southward across the Pacific NW toward northern California overnight. This is bringing increasing high clouds across the area. Meanwhile, low clouds and patchy fog have been developing around the Humboldt Bay and vicinity. Otherwise, low clouds and patchy fog is expected to lift and clear out by late morning with diurnal heating and increasing nortwesterly winds. Afternoon tempeartures are forecast to be generally in the mid- to upper 80s. Coastal areas are expected to be similar like yesterday's reading, with high in the low- to mid 60s. A warming trend with above normal warm temperatures and minor heatrisk is forecast to continue through Thursday for the interior, when the heat will peak. A sharper marine inversion combined with onshore flow will most likely support the formation of a a more proper, shallow marine layer the next few nights, but daytime clearing remains most likely (80%) each afternoon. /ZVS .EXTENDED DISCUSSION...(Saturday through Tuesday)...High pressure will weaken again this weekend, allow for slight cooling and more marine influence to push inland. Most models show a stronger and more consistent layer of marine stratus forming around Humboldt Bay and other protected areas, aided by gentle but persistent onshore flow. Most ensemble members continue to show a trough dipping across the Pacific Northwest early next week. The trough, however, will most likely be dry with only light drizzle on the coast and some weak showers inland. Even on the far North Coast, the chance of wetting rain is less than 10 percent. /JHW && .AVIATION...(06Z TAFs)...Coastal stratus has developed around the Humboldt Bay and vicinity. As result, MVFR ceilings are reported at KACV. There is a 30-40% chances for IFR ceilings at ACV between 12Z-16Z. Meanwhile, mainly VFR conditions are expected to prevail at KCEC with the interior offshore flow; however, nearshore south winds may advect some low clouds into CEC overnight. There is a 30-40% chance for MVFR/IFR ceilings impacting CEC between 13Z-16Z. For the interior, including KUKI, prevailing VFR conditions through the forecast period. Expect breezy N-NW winds around 10-20 kts each afternoon with higher gusts for the terminals, diminishing after 21/02Z. /ZVS && .MARINE...Gale-force gust northerly winds and very steep, hazardous seas are expected to continue through Friday across the outer waters. Meanwhile, moderate to strong gusty winds and steep seas are forecast ro continue for the inner waters. However, localized gale-force gusts are anticipated to redevelop again around Pt St George and in the lee of Cape Mendocino this afternoon. Northelry winds are expected to diminish this weekend as the high pressure shifts eastward and the pressure gradient relaxes. Seas will also subside this weekend, and could be below 6 feet across the waters by Sunday. /ZVS && .EKA WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... CA... None. NORTHWEST CALIFORNIA COASTAL WATERS... Small Craft Advisory until 10 AM PDT Thursday for PZZ450- 455. Gale Warning until 9 PM PDT Friday for PZZ470. Gale Warning until 10 AM PDT Thursday 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. 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