A powerful early-season storm is sweeping into Northern California, bringing a mix of hazards to the North Coast through midweek. The system, described by the National Weather Service (NWS) in Eureka as a “strong Atmospheric River,” is expected to deliver damaging winds, widespread heavy rainfall, and a risk of flooding across Humboldt, Del Norte, and Mendocino counties through Wednesday, with additional wet weather possible Thursday into Friday.

Winds, Rain, and Flooding Concerns
According to NWS Eureka, winds along the coast and ridges could gust between 45 and 60 mph, with some higher peaks possibly topping 70 mph in areas like the King Range. Even population centers such as Eureka, Arcata, and Fortuna may see gusts up to 50 mph. These conditions are capable of toppling trees, breaking branches, and causing power outages.

Rainfall totals of 2 to 3 inches are expected across much of the region, with localized amounts exceeding 4 inches in coastal mountains. The NWS issued multiple Flood Watches, warning of potential urban and small-stream flooding, especially where heavy rainfall coincides with high tides around Humboldt Bay. Burn scar areas, including the Smith River Complex in Del Norte County, are also being monitored for debris flow potential.

Adding to the challenge, the storm’s heavy rains are coinciding with some of the highest tides of the year—around 8.5 feet at the North Spit gauge—with storm surge possibly pushing water levels near 10 feet. This combination has led to Coastal Flood Watches for low-lying areas around the bay and the shoreline from Wednesday into Thursday.