Fortuna, California 7 Day Weather Forecast

Wx Forecast - Wx Discussion - Wx Aviation

224
FXUS66 KEKA 250835
AFDEKA

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
National Weather Service Eureka CA
135 AM PDT Wed Mar 25 2026

.SYNOPSIS...Light rain overnight accumulated mostly in Del Norte.
Rain will mostly cease by the late morning/afternoon. Blustery to
strong northerly winds are forecast to develop behind the front
on Wednesday and continue into Thursday.

&&

.DISCUSSION...As of 07z, only a few tenths of precipitation have
been recorded in Del Norte, most of which being reported near
Crescent City (0.28"). For interior Del Norte around 0.10-0.15
inches, with a bit higher recorded accumulation in the eastern
most mountain stations. The long stretch of subtropical moisture
continues into Wednesday with more precipitation likely, easing by
20z in Del Norte and picking up in the northern Humboldt coast
with a minimal amount expected. Probabilities for >0.2" in 24
hours are around 25% for the Arcata airport and increases
gradually as you proceed north.


The front and moisture influx will likely weaken considerably as
the boundary sags SE. Some places in southern Humboldt may not
get any measurable rain at all. Rain chances are forecast to
decrease later today as northerlies steadily increase offshore.
Residual drizzle and low clouds may persist into the afternoon and
evening hours as chilly N-NW breezes develop.

Otherwise, dry and stable weather will continue for the remainder
of the area through the week and into the weekend. Generally
above normal high temperatures with minor heat risk is forecast
as a broad flat ridge aloft dominates. There will be slight
cooling in the wake of the cold front, however max temps will
still be above normal. The warmest locations will continue to be
in Lake, Trinity and interior Mendocino Counties where max temps
will likely warm up into the lower to mid 80s toward the end of
the week (Thu and Fri). Robust offshore flow, dry air and clearing
skies will make for exceptional longwave cooling for wind
sheltered valleys. The chance for early morning frost and
subfreezing temperatures will increase for mostly the interior
valleys Thursday morning and again Friday morning. Coastal areas
may also have frost too but winds and cloud cover may hamper the
cooling. Persistent east to northeast breezes through the night
will keep the exposed ridges dry and much warmer through the night
and no frost is expected for locations in the thermal belt and
along mountain ridge tops.

Longer range models and national blend of models are trending
wetter/colder next week, Monday March 30 to Friday, April 3rd.
Higher end scenario (90th percentile) suggests multiple inches of
rain spread out over multiple days while a lower end scenario
(10th percentile) would yield only half an inch or less over
multiple days. There is considerable variability and spread 7 day
to 9 days out, but this is the first promising sign for significantly
cooler and wetter weather I have seen in quite sometime.


&&

.AVIATION...A weak front continues to move through the region very
early this morning. Southerly winds will quickly shift northerly for
area terminals. Light to moderate rain will come to a close in Del
Norte County before sunrise. Light showers are possible for
terminals along the northern Humboldt Coast as well. MVFR to IFR
ceilings are expected for these coastal terminals. VFR conditions
are expected through the TAF period for terminals further east and
south. Terminals throughout Northwest California will experience
increasing northerly winds into this afternoon as the pressure
gradient tightens behind the frontal passage.


&&

.MARINE...Southerly winds are quickly turning northerly as the front
moves through the region. Behind the front, a strong area of high
pressure strengthens in from the west over the Pacific Northwest.
Northerlies will increase over the waters as the pressure gradient
strengthens generating some sustained gale strength winds, with
gusts currently forecast to reach over 40 kts starting this
afternoon in the southern waters. The northerlies will quickly
expand northward through this evening. Steep seas will reach 12 to
15 late tonight through late Thursday. Winds will begin to ease late
Thursday. Gale conditions are forecast to reach into the inner
zones, but the limited coverage and duration still warranted a
Hazardous Seas Warning due to the combination of gales gusts and
large, steep seas.


&&

.EKA WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
CA...
None.
NORTHWEST CALIFORNIA COASTAL WATERS...
     Hazardous Seas Warning from 11 PM this evening to 6 AM PDT
     Friday for PZZ450.

     Hazardous Seas Warning from 5 PM this afternoon to 6 AM PDT
     Friday for PZZ455.

     Gale Warning from 11 PM this evening to 6 AM PDT Friday for
     PZZ470.

     Gale Warning from 5 PM this afternoon to 6 AM PDT Friday
     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.

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For forecast zone information
see the forecast zone map online:
https://www.weather.gov/images/eka/zonemap.png