Eureka, Calif. – Wind gusts topping 50 mph and periods of heavy rain will impact travel along US-101 and CA-299 beginning Friday afternoon and continuing through Sunday night, increasing the risk of downed trees, localized flooding and hazardous coastal driving.
According to the National Weather Service in Eureka, a series of frontal systems will move into northwest California starting Friday, strengthening Saturday into Sunday as a low-level jet develops along the North Coast. Wind Advisories and excessive rainfall concerns are in place for coastal Del Norte, Humboldt and Mendocino counties, with the greatest impacts along exposed headlands and ridgelines.
Peak gusts between 45 and 60 mph are possible along coastal stretches of US-101 from Trinidad to Crescent City, including elevated bridges and open shoreline segments. Inland areas along CA-299 from Arcata to Willow Creek could see gusts exceeding 40 mph, capable of snapping small branches and causing isolated power outages.
Brief waterspouts are possible along the immediate coast.
Rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches are likely in coastal ranges through Sunday night, with locally higher amounts on southwest-facing slopes. Urban ponding and small stream rises may affect low-lying sections of US-101 near Eureka and Arcata, especially during heavier downpours Saturday afternoon and again Sunday.
Road conditions may deteriorate quickly in heavier bursts.
What residents should do now: Secure loose outdoor objects, avoid driving through flooded roadways, and monitor Caltrans QuickMap for real-time highway conditions.
Additional showers and gusty winds are expected to persist into early next week as the storm track remains active. Wind Advisories and excessive rainfall outlooks remain in effect through Sunday night.
