Smith River, CA 95567 Weather

Key messages

* Dry weather through Friday with light rain likely for Saturday.

* Frost and freezing overnight temperatures again tonight.

* More rain possible Wednesday

Synopsis

Dry weather is expected to continue through Friday. A weak weather system is expected to bring some light rain on Saturday. Dry and warmer weather is expected Sunday through Tuesday with more rain possible Wednesday.

Discussion

An upper level trough over the west coast continues to bring near or slightly below normal temperatures to the area this afternoon. Tonight some near freezing or freezing temperatures are expected once again. Some fog is possible in the valleys, likely in similar locations to this morning. An approaching system on Friday may bring a few more clouds and some cooler air aloft. This will keep inland temperatures a bit cooler than today.

Friday night into Saturday is expected to see a weak weather system bring some light rain showers to much of of the area. The potential for rain looks higher in the afternoon in most areas. Rainfall amounts are expected to be less than a tenth to a quarter of an inch. Snow levels are expected to be around 5,000 feet with this system making it one of the colder weather systems so far this season.

Sunday morning the rain is expected to come to an end. Widespread low clouds and possibly fog in the valleys is expected to keep the valleys from getting too cold. High temperatures are expected to only be in the mid 50s to low 60s on Sunday. High pressure starts to build in on Monday and highs in the mid to upper 60s are expected in the interior. Shady areas will likely remain notably cooler. This warmer and dry weather is expected to continue into Tuesday. Nights will be chilly, especially Monday morning in areas that clear out. Tuesday morning may be warmer in some areas, but also drier and there may be less clouds around.

Wednesday is the next chance for rain. The ensemble clusters do all show some rain for Wednesday, but it generally looks fairly light. A few of the clusters even have some rain on Tuesday. The clusters are in better agreement that a stronger system is expected Thursday. This does look like better agreement than we have been seeing, but it still may push out slightly farther as we get closer. We will continue to monitor. MKK

Aviation

An upper level trough is bringing some high clouds, but otherwise VFR conditions continue. The upper level is expected to persist through Saturday. Today and Friday the cooler temperatures are expected to keep the marine inversion weaker and some offshore is expected to keep low clouds away. A few clouds are possible along the coast in the morning. Friday evening or Friday night some low clouds are expected as a frontal boundary starts to approach the area and bring some light rain in. MKK

Marine

Northerly winds continue to diminish in the southern waters. There is also a northwest swell of around 7 to 8 feet at 11 seconds and this is expected to slowly diminish as well. The model is also showing a small southerly swell at 15 seconds, but this is not showing up in the buoy reports at this time. Light winds are expected Friday and Saturday as weak weather system moves through and brings some light rain on Saturday.

Sunday high pressure is expected to start building back into the area and bringing strong northerly winds. These are expected to be short-lived with light winds returning by Monday and continuing into Tuesday. Wednesday or Thursday the models are starting to show more persistent and stronger southerly winds with the next weather system. This will need to be watched as it gets closer. MKK

Coastal flooding

Water levels Thursday reached 9.0 ft above MLLW at the North Spit. This brought some minor flooding to low lying areas of King Salmon and the Arcata bottoms. This was with an anomaly of about 1.1 foot above astronomical tides. The surge models are showing a slightly higher anomaly during the high tide Friday (at 2:51 PM), and with an astronomical tide of 7.50 ft, this would again push levels around 8.6 or 8.7 ft. A Coastal Flood Advisory may be needed for the high tide on Friday.

Watches, warnings and advisories

CA: Frost Advisory from 1 AM to 10 AM PDT Friday for CAZ103-105- 106-110-111-114.

Coastal Flood Advisory until 4 PM PDT this afternoon for CAZ103.

NORTHWEST CALIFORNIA COASTAL WATERS: Small Craft Advisory until 9 PM PDT this evening for PZZ475.