The all-clear may not last into holidays

A cold spell over the night might have left some frost on the ground — the only sign that it’s now officially winter.

With a high-pressure system in the area, skies have been mostly clear with only some clouds for most of this month on the North Coast.

That trend may continue this holiday weekend, but there is a slight chance of rain tonight through Christmas Day, said Buddy Martin, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Eureka.

“A weak cold front is coming through Friday,” he said. “After that passes through, Saturday will be partly cloudy to sunny.”

Another cold front might come through on Sunday, but the forecast might change, Martin said.

The North Coast will almost certainly be far below the normal rainfall for December. As of Wednesday, the first day of winter, there has only been .54 inches of rain in Crescent City — 6.25 inches below normal.

There might be some heavier rain next week as the New Year approaches.

“It looks like right now next Tuesday there’s a chance of some rain showers,” Martin said.

Temperatures will continue to be in the mid-50s to 60s during the day and low-40s at night.

Clear skies allow heat to escape forcing temperatures to drop, Martin explained, while clouds keep the heat closer to the ground making for a mild holiday weekend.

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