Weather
Northern California Weather Alert: 95° Heat Before Cold Front Friday, Oct 16
Eureka, CA – Northwest California is facing a dramatic weather shift beginning this weekend, with temperatures reaching the 90s in some inland communities before a cold front brings significantly cool
By Avery Collins · 2026-10-15T18:52:22.553Z
Eureka, CA – Northwest California is facing a dramatic weather shift beginning this weekend, with temperatures reaching the 90s in some inland communities before a cold front brings significantly cooler conditions and increasing chances of rain through next week.
According to the National Weather Service in Eureka, an unusually warm stretch will continue through Friday, October 16, before a weekend cold front moves across the region, bringing cooler temperatures and the possibility of scattered rain showers.
The biggest temperature swings are expected across inland portions of Humboldt, Trinity, Mendocino and Lake counties.
Willow Creek is forecast to reach 95 degrees Thursday and 94 Friday before dropping to 79 Sunday and 71 Monday, October 19.
Garberville could also reach 95 degrees Thursday and Friday before falling to 75 Sunday and 69 Monday, representing a 26 degree decline.
Farther inland, Ukiah is expected to reach 94 degrees Thursday and Friday before cooling to 77 Sunday and 70 Monday — a 24 degree drop.
Hoopa could experience one of the most significant changes, falling from 93 degrees Thursday to 69 Monday.
Coastal communities will experience less extreme temperatures but still see a noticeable cooldown.
Eureka is forecast to reach 66 degrees Thursday before dropping to 55 Sunday and 54 Monday. Crescent City could fall from 67 Thursday to 52 Monday.
Rain chances begin increasing Sunday night into Monday, with precipitation probabilities generally reaching 15% to 25% in several communities.
However, forecasters emphasize that widespread heavy rainfall is not expected. Most locations should receive minimal precipitation outside occasional drizzle or brief light rain.
Drivers traveling along U.S. Highway 101, Highway 299 and other regional routes should remain aware of changing weather conditions, particularly where light rain could affect visibility and road surfaces.
The cooler, occasionally wet pattern is expected to continue through Thursday, October 22.
Residents should prepare for a sharp transition from late season heat to more typical fall temperatures as the weekend approaches.