Travel plans? Weather might be a deterrent
Snow, wind, hail and even flooding expected this week
Mother Nature has a pounding in store for the area this week, particularly around mid-week, said a National Weather Service Eureka meteorologist on Sunday afternoon.
Among the meteorological offerings are high winds, hail in lower elevations, snow in the higher areas, and possibly even flooding.
“This is quite a storm,” said Brad Charboneau of the coming onslaught. “… It is expected to bring quite a few weather attacks to the area.”
The winds will be “pretty strong,” Charboneau said, noting the winds will be both in coastal areas and off the coast.
“Even around Eureka we could see some pretty strong wind gusts,” he said.
But these are not the type of high winds that have previously spurred Pacific Gas and Electric Co. public safety power shutoffs that were experienced in October. These winds are accompanied by moisture.
“If power gets knocked out, it would be because of downed power lines or downed trees,” he said.
Accompanying the high winds, will be snow at elevations above 2,500 feet and hail in elevations below 2,500 feet, which could make mountain passes and even U.S. Highway 101 harder to navigate. Snow accumulations could be as much as 6 to 12 inches, making travel on state Routes 299 and 36 more perilous for those traveling around Thanksgiving. The hail and snow is expected Tuesday and Wednesday.
“That will be one of the more significant impacts of this storm: It falls around holiday travel,” Charboneau said.
As if that isn’t enough, there is also a chance of flooding in the low-lying areas, he said.
“Because the expected high astronomical tides that we’re seeing, plus upwards of 2-foot storm surge, high winds, large waves — all of that combined we could see some coastal flooding,” he said.
King tides are expected Tuesday and Wednesday this week and with the help of the strong, gale-force winds and storm surge, there is a good chance for flooding around King Salmon and some other coastal areas. On Monday morning, the county warned Centerville Beach Road could be closed Tuesday and Wednesday as a result of high surf.
The National Weather Service website warned beach-goers to stay a safe distance from the ocean.
“High surf can cause high run-ups and potential beach erosion,” a high surf advisory stated. “Sneaker waves with high run-ups can knock people over and drag them out to sea. Shock and hypothermia can occur quickly in the cold Pacific waters. Logs and other debris can be lifted and floated by these waves, crushing or entrapping victims underneath.”
As far as temperatures in Humboldt County, the week will start off warmer and progressively cool down. In Eureka, highs will be mid-40s to low 50s with overnight lows in the 30s. By Thanksgiving, the overnight lows could sink below freezing as people head out for post-holiday meal shopping.
Southern Humboldt County areas such as Garberville will see highs in the 50s and 60s, with overnight lows in the 20s and 30s. To the east, Willow Creek will see weather similar to Garberville.
For more up-to-date weather information, go to www.weather.gov/eureka.