Eureka, California – Rain gauges across Northern California barely moved in March, leaving some areas more than 10 inches below normal and setting the stage for growing fire concerns heading into the weekend.
According to the National Weather Service in Eureka, many locations across Humboldt, Del Norte, Mendocino, and Lake counties recorded just 0% to 19% of their typical March rainfall. Honeydew saw a deficit of more than 17 inches, while Gasquet and Laytonville each fell over 8 to 10 inches below normal.
At the same time, inland temperatures surged well above seasonal averages. Ukiah reached 78°F, Potter Valley topped 80°F, and Clearlake climbed into the upper 70s—running roughly 10 to 15 degrees warmer than normal. Coastal areas like Eureka and Crescent City stayed closer to average, with highs in the upper 50s to low 60s.
The combination of dry conditions and early-season warmth is already raising concerns for vegetation drying out faster than usual across interior valleys and foothills. Areas along Highway 101 and inland routes like State Route 20 could see increased fire risk if winds pick up.
Relief may be limited in the short term, as only scattered showers are expected later this week. Additional updates from the National Weather Service are expected as conditions evolve.
