Remember late last week when the National Weather Service was forecasting several inches of rain for the valley, along with strong, gusty winds? Well, the reality is far different than that forecast. Chico only received .01" of rain overnight last night, and winds have only gusted to around 25 mph. That's what we see in a typical winter storm. The way the NWS forecasters were seeing it, one would expect a far stronger storm to hit (at least, that's what I thought). I was correct in my last blog posting by saying that we were not going to get any widespread heavy rain or winds strong enough to meet advisory or warning criteria. I feel that forecasters nowadays rely far too much on inaccurate computer models, and not enough on their own knowledge. This is either the fourth or fifth time this rainy season the NWS forecasters blew the forecast. Not a good track record, if you ask me. I mean, I could tell just by looking at the satellite picture yesterday that there was no way we were going to get widespread rain amounts of half an inch to an inch. And I don't even have a degree in meteorology! Anyway, the forecast for the next seven days in Chico calls for a mix of sun and clouds with a chance of showers most of the time. Temps will be cooler than average during the forecast period. Here are the details from the not so reliable NWS:
Tonight: Showers likely. Cloudy, with a low around 37. Southwest wind 8 to 11 mph becoming southeast. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Wednesday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 54. Southeast wind between 11 and 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Wednesday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 33. East southeast wind 5 to 8 mph becoming north. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 61. North northwest wind between 5 and 8 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37. Northwest wind at 5 mph becoming east.
Friday: Scattered showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 57. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Friday Night: Scattered showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Saturday: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61.
Saturday Night: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38.
Sunday: Showers likely. Cloudy, with a high near 56.
Sunday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40.
Monday: A chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 60.
Monday Night: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42.
Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 68.
I say the NWS is not very reliable, yet I continue to rely on them for the forecasts! Perhaps I'll change to The Weather Channel...
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
not so stormy after all?
It may be not so stormy after all this week. So far today it's been breezy in Chico, with winds gusting to between 25-30 mph, but not a drop of rain has fallen. The National Weather Service was predicting a 70% chance of rain for today, but so far, nada. They can be such drama queens! The Wind Advisory mentioned in my last post is still in effect until 11pm tonight, but the winds have not reached advisory criteria today. Advisory criteria are winds sustained up to 25 mph, with gusts 45-50 mph. Again, such drama queens! Looking at the extended forecast, other than a chance of showers, there's not much in the way of heavy rain or stormy weather expected through this weekend. I just love stormy weather, and I always get my hopes up whenever stormy weather is predicted. Then it's a major letdown whenever the weather doesn't pan out as forecast. Sigh. I guess I'll never learn. I think this stormy weather will pass us by, giving us perhaps a few showers and some breezy conditions. Otherwise, don't expect much in the way of moderate to heavy rain or very windy conditions as previously forecast. Pretty soon, the rainy season will end, and it'll be back to boring, sunny, hot weather until the fall. Once again, sigh. Here's the forecast for Chico from the NWS:
Tonight: Rain. Low around 48. Breezy, with a south wind between 14 and 22 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Tuesday: Rain. High near 54. South southwest wind between 13 and 17 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Tuesday Night: Showers likely, mainly before 11pm. Cloudy, with a low around 38. South southwest wind around 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday: A chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 11am. Cloudy, with a high near 55. South southeast wind around 6 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers, mainly before 11pm. Cloudy, with a low around 35. North northeast wind between 3 and 5 mph.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 59.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 38.
Friday: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56.
Friday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42.
Saturday: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61.
Saturday Night: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43.
Sunday: A chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 54.
Sunday Night: A chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 43.
Monday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62.
Tonight: Rain. Low around 48. Breezy, with a south wind between 14 and 22 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Tuesday: Rain. High near 54. South southwest wind between 13 and 17 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Tuesday Night: Showers likely, mainly before 11pm. Cloudy, with a low around 38. South southwest wind around 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday: A chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 11am. Cloudy, with a high near 55. South southeast wind around 6 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers, mainly before 11pm. Cloudy, with a low around 35. North northeast wind between 3 and 5 mph.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 59.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 38.
Friday: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56.
Friday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42.
Saturday: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61.
Saturday Night: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43.
Sunday: A chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 54.
Sunday Night: A chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 43.
Monday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62.
lots of weather happening
A series of late season storms will significantly impact our area this week. The first storm arrives today, bringing gusty winds, moderate valley rain, and heavy mountain snow. A Winter Storm Watch is up for the Sierra Nevada through tomorrow (that will likely change to a Warning sometime today). Snow elevations will initially be high- 7000'- but will lower to 5000' tonight. More than a foot of snow is possible through tomorrow night at those elevations. Gusty winds to 70 mph will blow that snow around. Meanwhile, the valley and adjacent foothills are under a Wind Advisory until 11 pm tonight. Winds will gust to between 40 and 50 mph today, with the strongest winds expected this afternoon and evening. The valley may see up to a half an inch of rain, with the foothills seeing between 1 and 2 inches between this afternoon and tomorrow. High temperatures will hold steady around the upper 50s to lower 60s today in Chico. Whew! Lots of weather happening!
Sunday, March 28, 2010
update on this week's unsettled weather
From the National Weather Service office in Sacramento:
MILD WEATHER WILL COME TO AN END IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA AS A
SERIES OF STORMS WILL BRING WINTRY WEATHER TO THE AREA BEGINNING
TODAY AND LASTING WELL INTO THE WORK WEEK.
THE FIRST SYSTEM WILL APPROACH THE FAR NORTHERN CALIFORNIA COAST
TODAY BUT WILL WEAKEN AS IT MOVES INLAND. PRECIPITATION WITH THIS SYSTEM
SHOULD PRIMARILY AFFECT THE COASTAL AND NORTHERN MOUNTAINS.
A STRONGER WEATHER SYSTEM WILL BEGIN TO MOVE INTO THE AREA ON
MONDAY AND CONTINUE INTO TUESDAY. THIS SYSTEM WILL BRING PERIODS
OF VALLEY RAIN WITH MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOWFALL IN THE MOUNTAINS.
SNOW ACCUMULATIONS WILL RANGE FROM HALF A FOOT BELOW PASS LEVELS
IN THE SIERRA NEVADA MOUNTAINS TO MORE THAN A FOOT OF SNOW FALLING
ABOVE 7500 FEET. SNOW LEVELS WILL START OUT HIGH ON MONDAY...BUT
WILL LOWER BY EARLY TUESDAY MORNING TO NEAR 4000 FEET IN SHASTA
COUNTY AND TO NEAR 5000 FEET OVER THE WEST SLOPE OF THE SIERRA
NEVADA. GUSTY SOUTHERLY WINDS WILL ALSO ACCOMPANY THIS STORM.
THERE WILL BE A BRIEF BREAK IN THE WEATHER IN THE VALLEY LATE ON
TUESDAY BUT SHOWERS SHOULD LINGER IN THE MOUNTAINS UNTIL THE NEXT
STORM MOVES INTO THE AREA ON WEDNESDAY. THIS STORM WILL BE MUCH
COLDER THAN THE PRIOR ONE... RESULTING IN RAIN SHOWERS AND
ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS IN THE VALLEY... AND SNOW SHOWERS IN THE
MOUNTAINS. THE COLD AIR MASS WILL LOWER SNOW LEVELS INTO THE
FOOTHILLS.
TOTAL MOUNTAIN SNOW ACCUMULATIONS WILL RANGE FROM A FOOT OR MORE
AT 5000 FEET TO TWO TO THREE FEET ABOVE 7000 FEET. RAINFALL
AMOUNTS IN THE CENTRAL VALLEY WILL RANGE BETWEEN A HALF AN INCH
TO AN INCH OF RAIN WITH SOME AREAS RECEIVING HIGHER AMOUNTS DUE TO
HEAVIER SHOWERS OR THUNDERSTORMS.
IN ADDITION TO THE SNOW... PERIODS OF GUSTY WINDS WILL MAKE TRAVEL
DIFFICULT AND CAUSE AREAS OF BLOWING SNOW ALONG THE HIGHER
ELEVATIONS.
MILD WEATHER WILL COME TO AN END IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA AS A
SERIES OF STORMS WILL BRING WINTRY WEATHER TO THE AREA BEGINNING
TODAY AND LASTING WELL INTO THE WORK WEEK.
THE FIRST SYSTEM WILL APPROACH THE FAR NORTHERN CALIFORNIA COAST
TODAY BUT WILL WEAKEN AS IT MOVES INLAND. PRECIPITATION WITH THIS SYSTEM
SHOULD PRIMARILY AFFECT THE COASTAL AND NORTHERN MOUNTAINS.
A STRONGER WEATHER SYSTEM WILL BEGIN TO MOVE INTO THE AREA ON
MONDAY AND CONTINUE INTO TUESDAY. THIS SYSTEM WILL BRING PERIODS
OF VALLEY RAIN WITH MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOWFALL IN THE MOUNTAINS.
SNOW ACCUMULATIONS WILL RANGE FROM HALF A FOOT BELOW PASS LEVELS
IN THE SIERRA NEVADA MOUNTAINS TO MORE THAN A FOOT OF SNOW FALLING
ABOVE 7500 FEET. SNOW LEVELS WILL START OUT HIGH ON MONDAY...BUT
WILL LOWER BY EARLY TUESDAY MORNING TO NEAR 4000 FEET IN SHASTA
COUNTY AND TO NEAR 5000 FEET OVER THE WEST SLOPE OF THE SIERRA
NEVADA. GUSTY SOUTHERLY WINDS WILL ALSO ACCOMPANY THIS STORM.
THERE WILL BE A BRIEF BREAK IN THE WEATHER IN THE VALLEY LATE ON
TUESDAY BUT SHOWERS SHOULD LINGER IN THE MOUNTAINS UNTIL THE NEXT
STORM MOVES INTO THE AREA ON WEDNESDAY. THIS STORM WILL BE MUCH
COLDER THAN THE PRIOR ONE... RESULTING IN RAIN SHOWERS AND
ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS IN THE VALLEY... AND SNOW SHOWERS IN THE
MOUNTAINS. THE COLD AIR MASS WILL LOWER SNOW LEVELS INTO THE
FOOTHILLS.
TOTAL MOUNTAIN SNOW ACCUMULATIONS WILL RANGE FROM A FOOT OR MORE
AT 5000 FEET TO TWO TO THREE FEET ABOVE 7000 FEET. RAINFALL
AMOUNTS IN THE CENTRAL VALLEY WILL RANGE BETWEEN A HALF AN INCH
TO AN INCH OF RAIN WITH SOME AREAS RECEIVING HIGHER AMOUNTS DUE TO
HEAVIER SHOWERS OR THUNDERSTORMS.
IN ADDITION TO THE SNOW... PERIODS OF GUSTY WINDS WILL MAKE TRAVEL
DIFFICULT AND CAUSE AREAS OF BLOWING SNOW ALONG THE HIGHER
ELEVATIONS.
Friday, March 26, 2010
nice weekend...followed by not so nice week
Today's weather has been the kind that you want to bottle up and save for, well, save for a week like next week. It has been positively stunning today, with light north winds, low humidity, and coolish temps in the mid 60s. This weekend should be almost a carbon copy of today, but next week will be potentially stormy. I say potentially because the weather forecasters still are uncertain of the timing and intensity of these storms lined up out over the Pacific right now. The forecast, especially going out towards the middle of next week, seems to vacillate between rainy and windy to just episodic showers. Since the forecast right now is so fluid, keep checking back (like I will do) for updates. For now, prepare for some hazardous weather throughout northern California beginning Monday and continuing through next weekend. In the near term, enjoy the beautiful weather on tap for this weekend. Sunday is the annual kite-flying extravaganza at Community Park in Chico, so grab a kite and hope that the wind is strong enough to fly it. It's a big event, so expect hundreds of other people to be flying kites right along with you. The sun should be shining, but the winds, for now, appear to not meet kite-flying criteria. Of course, if the storm on Monday is powerful enough, the southerly winds ahead of it could be brisk on Sunday. Only time will tell. Here's the latest Chico forecast from the National Weather Service:
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 42. Calm wind becoming north northeast around 6 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 72. North northwest wind between 6 and 8 mph.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 47. South southeast wind between 3 and 8 mph.
Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 67. Southeast wind between 8 and 10 mph.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47. South southeast wind around 7 mph.
Monday: Rain likely. Cloudy, with a high near 64. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday Night: Rain. Low around 48. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Tuesday: Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60.
Tuesday Night: Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40.
Wednesday: Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 57.
Wednesday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39.
Thursday: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61.
Thursday Night: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43.
Friday: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 42. Calm wind becoming north northeast around 6 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 72. North northwest wind between 6 and 8 mph.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 47. South southeast wind between 3 and 8 mph.
Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 67. Southeast wind between 8 and 10 mph.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47. South southeast wind around 7 mph.
Monday: Rain likely. Cloudy, with a high near 64. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday Night: Rain. Low around 48. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Tuesday: Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60.
Tuesday Night: Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40.
Wednesday: Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 57.
Wednesday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39.
Thursday: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61.
Thursday Night: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43.
Friday: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62.
Special Weather Statement
From the National Weather Service office in Sacramento:
LATE SEASON WINTER STORMS TO IMPACT INTERIOR NORTHERN
CALIFORNIA MUCH OF NEXT WEEK...
HIGH PRESSURE WILL REMAIN IN CONTROL THROUGH MUCH OF THE WEEKEND
BRINGING SEASONABLY PLEASANT WEATHER TO NORTHERN CALIFORNIA. A
WEAK FRONTAL SYSTEM WILL APPROACH THE FAR NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
COAST SUNDAY BUT DIMINISH AS IT MOVES INLAND.
A STRONGER LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM WILL MOVE ACROSS THE AREA MONDAY
AND MONDAY NIGHT. THERE IS STILL SOME UNCERTAINTY ON HOW FAR
SOUTHWARD THIS SYSTEM WILL TRAVERSE. HOWEVER...THERE IS POTENTIAL
FOR PERIODS OF MODERATE TO HEAVY VALLEY RAIN AND SEVERAL INCHES OF
MOUNTAIN SNOW WITH THIS SYSTEM. GUSTY SOUTHERLY WINDS AND
RELATIVELY LOW SNOW LEVELS WILL ALSO ACCOMPANY THIS STORM.
ANOTHER POTENT STORM WILL TAKE AIM AT THE AREA MIDWEEK. THERE IS
STILL TIMING AND INTENSITY UNCERTAINTY WITH THIS PARTICULAR
STORM...BUT CURRENT PROJECTIONS SUGGEST THIS STORM MAY BE EVEN
COLDER AND STRONGER THAN THE PRIOR ONE. GUSTY WINDS...MODERATE TO
HEAVY VALLEY RAIN AND MOUNTAIN SNOW WILL ALL BE POSSIBLE. WITH
THE COLD NATURE ALOFT OF THIS STORM...THUNDERSTORMS MAY ALSO BE A
CONCERN.
THE UNSETTLED WEATHER PATTERN IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE INTO NEXT
WEEKEND. ALL TOLD...A FEW INCHES OF VALLEY RAIN AND A FEW FEET OF
MOUNTAIN SNOW WILL BE POSSIBLE NEXT WEEK. PERIODS OF GUSTY WINDS
MAY MAKE TRAVEL DIFFICULT AND CAUSE AREAS OF BLOWING SNOW ALONG
THE HIGHER ELEVATIONS. CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS
FOR UPDATES TO THIS POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS SERIES OF STORMS.
LATE SEASON WINTER STORMS TO IMPACT INTERIOR NORTHERN
CALIFORNIA MUCH OF NEXT WEEK...
HIGH PRESSURE WILL REMAIN IN CONTROL THROUGH MUCH OF THE WEEKEND
BRINGING SEASONABLY PLEASANT WEATHER TO NORTHERN CALIFORNIA. A
WEAK FRONTAL SYSTEM WILL APPROACH THE FAR NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
COAST SUNDAY BUT DIMINISH AS IT MOVES INLAND.
A STRONGER LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM WILL MOVE ACROSS THE AREA MONDAY
AND MONDAY NIGHT. THERE IS STILL SOME UNCERTAINTY ON HOW FAR
SOUTHWARD THIS SYSTEM WILL TRAVERSE. HOWEVER...THERE IS POTENTIAL
FOR PERIODS OF MODERATE TO HEAVY VALLEY RAIN AND SEVERAL INCHES OF
MOUNTAIN SNOW WITH THIS SYSTEM. GUSTY SOUTHERLY WINDS AND
RELATIVELY LOW SNOW LEVELS WILL ALSO ACCOMPANY THIS STORM.
ANOTHER POTENT STORM WILL TAKE AIM AT THE AREA MIDWEEK. THERE IS
STILL TIMING AND INTENSITY UNCERTAINTY WITH THIS PARTICULAR
STORM...BUT CURRENT PROJECTIONS SUGGEST THIS STORM MAY BE EVEN
COLDER AND STRONGER THAN THE PRIOR ONE. GUSTY WINDS...MODERATE TO
HEAVY VALLEY RAIN AND MOUNTAIN SNOW WILL ALL BE POSSIBLE. WITH
THE COLD NATURE ALOFT OF THIS STORM...THUNDERSTORMS MAY ALSO BE A
CONCERN.
THE UNSETTLED WEATHER PATTERN IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE INTO NEXT
WEEKEND. ALL TOLD...A FEW INCHES OF VALLEY RAIN AND A FEW FEET OF
MOUNTAIN SNOW WILL BE POSSIBLE NEXT WEEK. PERIODS OF GUSTY WINDS
MAY MAKE TRAVEL DIFFICULT AND CAUSE AREAS OF BLOWING SNOW ALONG
THE HIGHER ELEVATIONS. CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS
FOR UPDATES TO THIS POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS SERIES OF STORMS.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
big changes to the forecast
It has been cool, cloudy, and breezy throughout the day today as a weakening storm system moved through the area. The high temperature today in Chico only made it to 59 degrees. That's a stark contrast to just 48 hours ago, when the temp was 76 degrees. The weekend looks fabulous, but prepare for some big changes as a series of fairly strong storms affect our weather beginning early next week and lasting through the end of next week. The valley could see several inches of rain, while the mountains may see up to three feet of snow with these upcoming storms. Of course, the forecast could always change, so check back for updates. For now, here's the seven day forecast for Chico from the National Weather Service:
Tonight: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm, then a slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. Southeast wind around 7 mph becoming north northwest. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 65. East northeast wind at 8 mph becoming northwest.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 43. North northwest wind between 6 and 8 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 72. North northwest wind around 7 mph.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 48. Southeast wind between 3 and 7 mph.
Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 69.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50.
Monday: Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62.
Monday Night: Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45.
Tuesday: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 57.
Tuesday Night: Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41.
Wednesday: Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56.
Wednesday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40.
Thursday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61.
Tonight: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm, then a slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. Southeast wind around 7 mph becoming north northwest. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 65. East northeast wind at 8 mph becoming northwest.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 43. North northwest wind between 6 and 8 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 72. North northwest wind around 7 mph.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 48. Southeast wind between 3 and 7 mph.
Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 69.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50.
Monday: Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62.
Monday Night: Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45.
Tuesday: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 57.
Tuesday Night: Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41.
Wednesday: Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56.
Wednesday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40.
Thursday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
breezy and wet the next 12-14 hours
A storm is preparing to move through our area over the next several hours. Already the winds have picked up from the south, gusting to 25-30 mph. The sun is still shining right now, but it should rapidly cloud up after sunset and begin to rain overnight tonight. Just as quickly as this storm moves in, it moves out, with just a chance of early showers tomorrow. Looking out into the future (mainly next week), it looks like a prolonged wet pattern will emerge as a trough digs into northern California. We'll be stuck in the off and on wet weather for much of next week. At least the weekend will be dry! Here's the latest forecast for Chico from the National Weather Service:
Late Afternoon: A 50 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71. South southeast wind around 18 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.
Tonight: Rain likely, mainly after 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48. South southeast wind between 14 and 18 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61. South southeast wind around 14 mph.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42. Light and variable wind.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 68. Northwest wind between 3 and 5 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 42.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 72.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 47.
Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 67.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47.
Monday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 64.
Monday Night: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46.
Tuesday: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61.
Tuesday Night: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42.
Wednesday: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60.
Late Afternoon: A 50 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71. South southeast wind around 18 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.
Tonight: Rain likely, mainly after 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48. South southeast wind between 14 and 18 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61. South southeast wind around 14 mph.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42. Light and variable wind.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 68. Northwest wind between 3 and 5 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 42.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 72.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 47.
Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 67.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47.
Monday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 64.
Monday Night: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46.
Tuesday: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61.
Tuesday Night: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42.
Wednesday: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
changes in the weather
The past few days have been spectacular in Chico, with yesterday's high temperature of 70 degrees, and today's high so far of 76 degrees. The warm temperatures today are thanks to northwest winds that come down off the mountains to our north, heating and compressing as they move down the valley. In contrast, southerly winds are cool, because they come in off the Pacific Ocean and travel up the valley from the Delta. The winds help to pick up the cooler marine air and transport it northward into Chico. Anyway, there are some changes coming. There is a chance of rain tomorrow night, along with cooler temperatures for the end of the week. By early next week, another storm will give us more chances of rain. It's too soon to know how strong the storm will be, but it looks like, for now, some rain is in the forecast. Here's the seven days forecast for Chico from the National Weather Service:
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 45. Northwest wind at 7 mph becoming east northeast.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 70. Calm wind becoming south southeast between 5 and 8 mph.
Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. South southeast wind between 11 and 14 mph.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 65. Southeast wind between 8 and 11 mph.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43. South southeast wind at 10 mph becoming northeast.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 71.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 43.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 71.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 47.
Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 65.
Sunday Night: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47.
Monday: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 65.
Monday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45.
Tuesday: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62.
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 45. Northwest wind at 7 mph becoming east northeast.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 70. Calm wind becoming south southeast between 5 and 8 mph.
Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. South southeast wind between 11 and 14 mph.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 65. Southeast wind between 8 and 11 mph.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43. South southeast wind at 10 mph becoming northeast.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 71.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 43.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 71.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 47.
Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 65.
Sunday Night: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47.
Monday: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 65.
Monday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45.
Tuesday: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
the end of the rainy season?
Other than a few sprinkles for this morning, there is no mention of any rain for the next seven days in Chico. Does this mean the end of the rainy season, a month ahead of schedule? Perhaps not, but looking at the forecast, it does make me wonder. It wasn't quite as warm yesterday as it was on Friday. Southerly breezes to 15 mph kept the temperature down to the lower 70s after a high of 79 degrees on Friday. Expect the same temps for the most part this upcoming week as high pressure dominates our weather. I really don't think we'll see any more big storms until the fall. We might see some weak systems move through over the next several weeks, but I predict only light rain showers will come of it. For now, enjoy the continued gorgeous spring weather. Oh, speaking of which, I failed to mention that spring officially began yesterday morning, so happy first full day of spring! Here's the forecast for Chico from the National Weather Service:
Today: A slight chance of sprinkles after 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 66. Southeast wind between 3 and 11 mph.
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. East wind at 6 mph becoming north.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. North northwest wind between 5 and 11 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 44. North northwest wind between 11 and 13 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 76. North wind around 11 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 45.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 72.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 44.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 69.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 42.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 69.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 42.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 70.
Today: A slight chance of sprinkles after 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 66. Southeast wind between 3 and 11 mph.
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. East wind at 6 mph becoming north.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. North northwest wind between 5 and 11 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 44. North northwest wind between 11 and 13 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 76. North wind around 11 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 45.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 72.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 44.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 69.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 42.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 69.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 42.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 70.
Friday, March 19, 2010
sooo close to 80 degrees
The current temperature in Chico is 79 degrees. Not a record, but about 13 degrees above the average for today. Earlier this week, I was predicting that Chico would reach 80 degrees. Today we are so close, but we may not get there. Still, I'm only one degree off of my prediction- not bad for someone who does this as a hobby. Of course, this is one of the few times I've been close to being correct. Anyhoo, it looks like the temps will cool off from the past few days' high temps. So, instead of the mid to upper 70s, it'll slip into the lower 70s. Overnight lows will be in the low to mid 40s. Oh, speaking of low temps, this morning's low in Chico was 38 degrees. But that's not the amazing thing (well, amazing for me, anyway). Between 8am and 9am, the temperature in Chico jumped from 38 degrees to 52 degrees- 14 degrees in one hour! Pretty amazing. Here's the seven day forecast for Chico from the National Weather Service:
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 41. Light and variable wind.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 75. Calm wind becoming south southeast between 4 and 7 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 45. South southeast wind between 5 and 8 mph becoming calm.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. Calm wind becoming south southeast between 4 and 7 mph.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 47. Southeast wind between 3 and 7 mph.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 72.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 44.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 73.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 42.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 72.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 44.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 71.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 43.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 71.
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 41. Light and variable wind.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 75. Calm wind becoming south southeast between 4 and 7 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 45. South southeast wind between 5 and 8 mph becoming calm.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. Calm wind becoming south southeast between 4 and 7 mph.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 47. Southeast wind between 3 and 7 mph.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 72.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 44.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 73.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 42.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 72.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 44.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 71.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 43.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 71.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
hold onto your hats!
From the National Weather Service office in Sacramento:
WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO
8 PM PDT THIS EVENING ACROSS THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN SACRAMENTO VALLEY
AND DELTA...
A WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 8 PM
PDT THIS EVENING ACROSS THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN SACRAMENTO VALLEY
AND DELTA.
* WINDS: A COLD TROUGH MOVING SOUTH THROUGH THE AREA WILL
GENERATE A STRONG PRESSURE GRADIENT WITH NORTHWEST TO NORTH
WINDS 20 TO 25 MPH AND GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH.
* TIMING: WIND SPEEDS QUICKLY STRENGTHEN MID TO LATE MORNING
WITH PEAK WINDS DURING THE AFTERNOON.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A WIND ADVISORY MEANS THAT WINDS OF 35 MPH ARE EXPECTED. WINDS
THIS STRONG CAN MAKE DRIVING DIFFICULT...ESPECIALLY FOR HIGH
PROFILE VEHICLES. USE EXTRA CAUTION. CURRENTLY FLOWERING FOLIAGE
WILL LIKELY TRANSPORT AVAILABLE POLLENS AND ALLERGENS.
WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO
8 PM PDT THIS EVENING ACROSS THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN SACRAMENTO VALLEY
AND DELTA...
A WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 8 PM
PDT THIS EVENING ACROSS THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN SACRAMENTO VALLEY
AND DELTA.
* WINDS: A COLD TROUGH MOVING SOUTH THROUGH THE AREA WILL
GENERATE A STRONG PRESSURE GRADIENT WITH NORTHWEST TO NORTH
WINDS 20 TO 25 MPH AND GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH.
* TIMING: WIND SPEEDS QUICKLY STRENGTHEN MID TO LATE MORNING
WITH PEAK WINDS DURING THE AFTERNOON.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A WIND ADVISORY MEANS THAT WINDS OF 35 MPH ARE EXPECTED. WINDS
THIS STRONG CAN MAKE DRIVING DIFFICULT...ESPECIALLY FOR HIGH
PROFILE VEHICLES. USE EXTRA CAUTION. CURRENTLY FLOWERING FOLIAGE
WILL LIKELY TRANSPORT AVAILABLE POLLENS AND ALLERGENS.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
positively gorgeous!
I've been enjoying my spring break, so that's why I haven't been blogging the past couple of days. Just wanted to update my blog right now. The weather has been spectacular the past few days. The high temperature in Chico yesterday was 74 wonderful degrees; the current temperature right now is 73. Fantabulous! It looks like this weather will stay with us for awhile. Temps may cool down by early next week into the 60s, but the sun will stick around through the middle of next week. With low pressure to our north moving east, and high pressure building in from the west, the interaction between the two may set off some gusty winds tomorrow, so be aware of that. It just might be a bad hair day tomorrow! Otherwise, enjoy the great weather! Here's the latest forecast for Chico from the National Weather Service:
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 47. Light and variable wind.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 76. North northwest wind between 5 and 13 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.
Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 47. North northwest wind between 8 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 75. North northwest wind around 7 mph.
Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 44. North wind between 6 and 8 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 74.
Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 48.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 72.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 46.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 69.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 46.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 67.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 44.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 68.
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 47. Light and variable wind.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 76. North northwest wind between 5 and 13 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.
Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 47. North northwest wind between 8 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 75. North northwest wind around 7 mph.
Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 44. North wind between 6 and 8 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 74.
Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 48.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 72.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 46.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 69.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 46.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 67.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 44.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 68.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Yikes! Mountain lions invade Chico!
This is scary news. Mountain lions are very dangerous. I've heard they can stalk humans if they're hungry enough. Now they might be wandering both Upper and Lower Bidwell Park. It's not too unusual for them to hang out in the foothills; it IS unusual for them to be in the city. Here's more info from the Chico Enterprise Record:
Cougars reported in Bidwell Park
Staff Reports
Posted: 03/14/2010 12:08:33 AM PST
Possible mountain lion activity in both upper and lower Bidwell Park had been reported to the city.
While mountain lions are not likely to approach humans, the city offers the following precautions:
* Do not hike or run alone, especially from dusk to dawn.
* Keep children in sight, and talk to them about mountain lions and what to do if they encounter one.
* If you encounter a lion make it understand you are not prey but instead pose a danger. Do not run or turn away from the lion. Stay calm, maintain eye contact and try to appear larger by raising and waving your arms, or opening your jacket. Speak firmly in a loud voice. Pick up small children. Throw stones, branches or whatever is in reach.
If you encounter a mountain lion, or experience property damage or the loss of a pet or livestock that you believe may be associated with one, please contact the Park Division at 896-7800, or the Police Department at 897-4900.
Heed this advice, and stay vigilant when hiking in Bidwell Park.
Cougars reported in Bidwell Park
Staff Reports
Posted: 03/14/2010 12:08:33 AM PST
Possible mountain lion activity in both upper and lower Bidwell Park had been reported to the city.
While mountain lions are not likely to approach humans, the city offers the following precautions:
* Do not hike or run alone, especially from dusk to dawn.
* Keep children in sight, and talk to them about mountain lions and what to do if they encounter one.
* If you encounter a lion make it understand you are not prey but instead pose a danger. Do not run or turn away from the lion. Stay calm, maintain eye contact and try to appear larger by raising and waving your arms, or opening your jacket. Speak firmly in a loud voice. Pick up small children. Throw stones, branches or whatever is in reach.
If you encounter a mountain lion, or experience property damage or the loss of a pet or livestock that you believe may be associated with one, please contact the Park Division at 896-7800, or the Police Department at 897-4900.
Heed this advice, and stay vigilant when hiking in Bidwell Park.
a gorgeous weekend... followed by a gorgeous week
This weekend has been spectacular in Chico and northern California. It was a bit on the chilly side yesterday morning and this morning (lows of 31 degrees yesterday and 30 degrees this morning). It was also a bit breezy, with northwest winds of up to 20 mph at times yesterday. The high temperature in Chico yesterday was 58 degrees; today's high was ten degrees warmer. That warming trend will continue this upcoming week as high pressure exerts its control over the area. The expected high temperature by Thursday is 76 degrees! The National Weather Service is almost always conservative on their temp forecasts; dare I say a high of 80 degrees instead? It's rather unusual to be that warm in March, but by no means unprecedented. For example, back around St. Patrick's Day 2004, highs were in the lower 90s in Chico! No need to worry about temps that warm this week, however. Lows will be cool, but pleasant- generally in the mid 40s to around 50 degrees. Enjoy this stretch of beautiful weather! Here's the seven day forecast for Chico from the NWS:
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 43. North northeast wind between 5 and 7 mph.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 71. East wind at 6 mph becoming southwest.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 50. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 72. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 49. Calm wind becoming north around 6 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 75.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 47.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 75.
Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 48.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 76.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 45.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 72.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 45.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 70.
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 43. North northeast wind between 5 and 7 mph.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 71. East wind at 6 mph becoming southwest.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 50. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 72. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 49. Calm wind becoming north around 6 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 75.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 47.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 75.
Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 48.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 76.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 45.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 72.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 45.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 70.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
dramatic temperature rise
Chico will go from the lower 30s this morning (31 degrees was the temperature last hour) to the mid 70s by Tuesday. Break out the shorts and sunscreen! Just in time for spring break, the weather will be spectacular. As it looks now, the forecast will carry these warm temps all the way through the end of next week. Highs will be mainly in the 70s from tomorrow (Sunday) through next Friday. Highs today under sunny skies will rise to the upper 50s. Still on the chilly side, but the sun will make it feel a little warmer than that. Yesterday's storm dropped about a third of an inch of rain on Chico, with winds gusting to around 30 miles per hour and a high temperature of only 50 degrees. It was cold walking across the Chico State campus yesterday! But, that storm is a distant memory now. Get ready for some fantastic weather!
Friday, March 12, 2010
nice weather ahead
Nice weather is ahead, but we have to get through today first. A 100% chance of rain is in the forecast for Chico today, with windy conditions to accompany the rain. In the mountains, expect one to two feet of snow between now and tomorrow morning. A Winter Storm Warning has been posted for the Sierra. This is a somewhat cool storm (temperature-wise), so expect snow levels between 3500 and 4500 feet. High temps in Chico today will only reach the mid 50s, about ten degrees colder than average. After today, though, the sun returns, and we should see a gradual warming trend. Tomorrow's highs, under clear skies and breezy northwest winds, will reach 60 degrees. By Sunday, and continuing through next Wednesday, highs will be in the low to mid 70s! Gorgeous! Mother Nature is being kind to us for spring break. Sunshine will continue through the end of next week, with highs cooling slightly by Thursday and Friday into the upper 60s. All in all, not a bad forecast. Enjoy the warmth!
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
one more storm, then nice weather
It was a frosty morning in Chico this morning, with a low temperature of 34 degrees, 8 degrees below average for this date. In Paradise, a dusting of snow covered the ground this morning (although it had all melted away by late morning when the sun came out). Magalia, north of Paradise, received several inches of snow. It was weird driving around Chico this morning and seeing some cars with a pile of snow on their roofs. They obviously came from Magalia! Tonight will be chilly, as well, with lows in the 20s and 30s. A fairly strong but quick-moving storm will affect our area Friday and Friday evening. Moderate rain and gusty winds will accompany this storm, and a Winter Storm Watch has been posted for the Sierra Nevada. Once this next storm exits, beautiful spring weather will dominate. Highs are predicted to reach 70 degrees by the latter half of the weekend. What a nice way to kick off spring break! Here's the seven day forecast for Chico from the National Weather Service:
Tonight: Patchy frost after 10pm. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 36. Light northeast wind.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 64. Calm wind becoming south around 6 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. Southeast wind between 7 and 11 mph.
Friday: Rain. High near 58. Southeast wind between 11 and 17 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Friday Night: Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. South southeast wind between 11 and 14 mph becoming calm. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 62.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 41.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 69.
Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 46.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 71.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 49.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 69.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 47.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 70.
Tonight: Patchy frost after 10pm. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 36. Light northeast wind.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 64. Calm wind becoming south around 6 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. Southeast wind between 7 and 11 mph.
Friday: Rain. High near 58. Southeast wind between 11 and 17 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Friday Night: Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. South southeast wind between 11 and 14 mph becoming calm. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 62.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 41.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 69.
Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 46.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 71.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 49.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 69.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 47.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 70.
Monday, March 8, 2010
chilly!
After a beautiful day yesterday, with highs in the mid 60s, today was drastically different. Highs got stuck in the 50s, with scattered light rain showers. I was up in Paradise today, and at one point the rain was really coming down! Chico barely got a drop a mere 10 miles away. Patchy frost is possible in the valley tonight, as temps dip into the mid 30s. Some light snow is possible down to 2000' as a cold Gulf of Alaska storm dives south and moves through the area this evening. Another storm originating in the Gulf of Alaska will invade our region tomorrow night. This storm has a bit more moisture with it, so accumulating snow in the foothills east of Chico is possible late tomorrow night. A milder, wetter storm looks set to arrive by Friday. However, this weekend looks great! Bundle up the next couple of days- it's gonna be chilly! Here's the forecast for Chico for the next seven days, courtesy of the National Weather Service:
Tonight: Scattered showers and thunderstorms before 10pm. Patchy frost after 10pm. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 34. Light north northwest wind. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 55. Light and variable wind.
Tuesday Night: Rain likely, mainly before 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. South southeast wind between 5 and 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers before 10am. Partly cloudy, with a high near 60. Calm wind becoming north northwest around 6 mph.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 39. West wind around 6 mph.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 66.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 45.
Friday: Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 64.
Friday Night: Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43.
Saturday: A slight chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a high near 64.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 43.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 67.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 45.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 65.
Tonight: Scattered showers and thunderstorms before 10pm. Patchy frost after 10pm. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 34. Light north northwest wind. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 55. Light and variable wind.
Tuesday Night: Rain likely, mainly before 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. South southeast wind between 5 and 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers before 10am. Partly cloudy, with a high near 60. Calm wind becoming north northwest around 6 mph.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 39. West wind around 6 mph.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 66.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 45.
Friday: Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 64.
Friday Night: Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43.
Saturday: A slight chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a high near 64.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 43.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 67.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 45.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 65.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
dry, with a chance of showers
Okay, I know the title of this blog entry may seem paradoxical. But, that's basically the forecast for the next seven days. There may be (emphasis on the word "may") an outside chance that we'll see a wetter storm move in for the end of the upcoming week. Otherwise, just a slight chance of showers mixed in with some dry, partly cloudy days. Temperatures will be seasonable (average high temp for Chico for this time of year is 63 degrees; the average low is 41). Here is the detailed Chico forecast from the National Weather Service:
Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 66. Calm wind becoming south southwest around 5 mph.
Tonight: A 20 percent chance of rain after 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. Southeast wind between 3 and 7 mph.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 57. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly before 10pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. Northwest wind between 5 and 7 mph.
Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 58. Calm wind becoming northwest between 6 and 9 mph.
Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a high near 61.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 42.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 66.
Thursday Night: A slight chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47.
Friday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 64.
Friday Night: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47.
Saturday: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 63.
Also, the new Gateway Science Museum opened last weekend in Chico. I heard the grand opening week was a smashing success, with a more than expected turnout for its debut. I plan on visiting the museum during my spring break, which is next week (March 15-19). Chico State always times its spring break around St. Patrick's Day. That's because in years past, students would get wild and rowdy during St. Patrick's Day and cause all kinds of mayhem and property damage. So the city leaders and the university came up with a solution- put spring break in mid-March so the students will be forced to leave town. The university pretty much shuts down during spring break, closing all of the classrooms and dormitories. That forces students to go to other places and get the hell out of town! Of course, not all of the students are bad, and there are some who are highly regarded and academically astounding (like me);).
Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 66. Calm wind becoming south southwest around 5 mph.
Tonight: A 20 percent chance of rain after 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. Southeast wind between 3 and 7 mph.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 57. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly before 10pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. Northwest wind between 5 and 7 mph.
Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 58. Calm wind becoming northwest between 6 and 9 mph.
Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a high near 61.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 42.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 66.
Thursday Night: A slight chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47.
Friday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 64.
Friday Night: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47.
Saturday: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 63.
Also, the new Gateway Science Museum opened last weekend in Chico. I heard the grand opening week was a smashing success, with a more than expected turnout for its debut. I plan on visiting the museum during my spring break, which is next week (March 15-19). Chico State always times its spring break around St. Patrick's Day. That's because in years past, students would get wild and rowdy during St. Patrick's Day and cause all kinds of mayhem and property damage. So the city leaders and the university came up with a solution- put spring break in mid-March so the students will be forced to leave town. The university pretty much shuts down during spring break, closing all of the classrooms and dormitories. That forces students to go to other places and get the hell out of town! Of course, not all of the students are bad, and there are some who are highly regarded and academically astounding (like me);).
Friday, March 5, 2010
big change to the forecast
Good news! This weekend and much of next week won't be wet and dreary, after all. In fact, it'll be quite the opposite (with a couple of exceptions). Most of the next seven days will be partly to mostly sunny. The two exceptions will be Monday and Wednesday, but even those two days will see only slight chances of rain. It looks like the rainy season, and El Nino, are beginning to wind down a bit. However, Chico and much of California are still in a drought. We would need several El Nino-type winters just to catch up to average. One El Nino will not do it. But, if you are getting tired of wet, dreary days, you're in luck! Here's the updated weather forecast for Chico from the National Weather Service:
Today: Partly sunny, with a high near 57. North northwest wind between 3 and 7 mph.
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43. Calm wind becoming north around 6 mph.
Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 61. North northwest wind between 7 and 9 mph.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 43. North northwest wind around 7 mph.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 64. North northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61.
Monday Night: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 59.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43.
Wednesday: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45.
Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 61.
Today: Partly sunny, with a high near 57. North northwest wind between 3 and 7 mph.
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43. Calm wind becoming north around 6 mph.
Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 61. North northwest wind between 7 and 9 mph.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 43. North northwest wind around 7 mph.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 64. North northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61.
Monday Night: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 59.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43.
Wednesday: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45.
Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 61.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
chilly start
It has been chilly this morning across northern California. The current temperature in Chico under some low clouds is 37 degrees. Where there is no fog, mainly in the foothills east of town, there is scattered frost covering the ground. In the valley, look out for some patchy fog this morning, especially where it rained heavily for hours yesterday. There were some isolated pockets of heavy rain in the valley, mostly west and south of Chico yesterday afternoon. Yesterday morning, there was a solid shield of rain from the valley into the mountains of the Sierra Nevada. Snow mixed in with the rain in Paradise as temps hovered just above freezing. Winds were gusty, with a peak wind gust of 29 mph in Chico right after sunrise yesterday. It should be much calmer today, but more weak storms are forecast to move through the area over the next several days after today. If you love the sunshine, enjoy this afternoon. I don't think it'll be cloudy and showery all the time this weekend. There may be some peeks of sun through the clouds; it just won't last all day. Oh, well. I have piles of homework to get done this weekend, anyway. I can't wait until May 21, 2010- that's the day I graduate college! Here's the detailed forecast for Chico from the National Weather Service:
Today: Patchy fog before 10am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 56. Calm wind becoming south between 4 and 7 mph.
Tonight: A 10 percent chance of showers after 4am. Patchy fog after 10pm. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. Light east wind.
Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 55. Calm wind becoming south southeast between 5 and 8 mph.
Friday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. East southeast wind around 6 mph becoming north.
Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60. North northwest wind around 8 mph.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43.
Sunday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60.
Sunday Night: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46.
Monday: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60.
Monday Night: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43.
Tuesday: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 58.
Tuesday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45.
Wednesday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61.
Today: Patchy fog before 10am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 56. Calm wind becoming south between 4 and 7 mph.
Tonight: A 10 percent chance of showers after 4am. Patchy fog after 10pm. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. Light east wind.
Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 55. Calm wind becoming south southeast between 5 and 8 mph.
Friday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. East southeast wind around 6 mph becoming north.
Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60. North northwest wind around 8 mph.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43.
Sunday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60.
Sunday Night: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46.
Monday: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60.
Monday Night: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43.
Tuesday: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 58.
Tuesday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45.
Wednesday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
showery and breezy
Today was showery and breezy at times in Chico, with winds gusting to 20 mph and precip accumulation totaling .16 inches. The showery weather continues through tomorrow, with the winds kicking up at times to 25 mph. There will be a brief lull on Thursday before another wet system moves in on Friday. That storm will likely linger into the weekend (yay). Off and on showers will persist into early next week, as well. All in all, a rather dreary weather period ahead. Here are the details for Chico from the National Weather Service:
Tonight: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely after 7pm. Cloudy, with a low around 45. Southeast wind between 8 and 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday: Showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 10am. High near 53. Southeast wind between 13 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Wednesday Night: Showers likely, mainly before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. Light and variable wind. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 57. Light and variable wind.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42. East southeast wind around 7 mph.
Friday: A 30 percent chance of rain. Cloudy, with a high near 54.
Friday Night: A 40 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41.
Saturday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56.
Saturday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39.
Sunday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 57.
Sunday Night: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40.
Monday: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 58.
Monday Night: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45.
Tuesday: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60.
Tonight: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely after 7pm. Cloudy, with a low around 45. Southeast wind between 8 and 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wednesday: Showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 10am. High near 53. Southeast wind between 13 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Wednesday Night: Showers likely, mainly before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. Light and variable wind. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 57. Light and variable wind.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42. East southeast wind around 7 mph.
Friday: A 30 percent chance of rain. Cloudy, with a high near 54.
Friday Night: A 40 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41.
Saturday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56.
Saturday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39.
Sunday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 57.
Sunday Night: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40.
Monday: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 58.
Monday Night: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45.
Tuesday: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60.
Monday, March 1, 2010
unsettled weather
We're heading into an active weather pattern here in northern California. Rain begins late tonight for the Sacramento Valley, with snow beginning in the Sierra Nevada early tomorrow morning. Chico could see up to an inch of rain between late tonight and Wednesday evening. There is a Winter Weather Advisory in effect for the Sierras above 5000 feet beginning at 4am tomorrow and ending at 4pm tomorrow afternoon. Four to eight inches of snow are possible at that elevation. Winds will pick up tomorrow in both the valley and the mountains, with gusts to 30 mph in the valley and 40-50 mph in the mountains. Once again, if traveling to the mountains tomorrow through the weekend, be prepared for hazardous driving conditions. A colder storm should arrive by Wednesday, lowering the snow level down to 2500 feet. That's upper Paradise and Magalia! Expect 3-5 inches of snow by late Wednesday above 2500 feet. A third storm may impact the area by Saturday, but it's not expected to be as cold as the one on Wednesday. I said it was going to be active! Here's the specific forecast for Chico from the National Weather Service:
Tonight: A 30 percent chance of rain, mainly after 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49. South southeast wind between 6 and 10 mph.
Tuesday: Rain. High near 56. Southeast wind between 11 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Tuesday Night: Rain. Low around 46. Breezy, with a south southeast wind between 18 and 22 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Wednesday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 51. Breezy, with a southeast wind between 15 and 22 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39.
Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 55.
Thursday Night: A slight chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42.
Friday: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56.
Friday Night: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42.
Saturday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59.
Saturday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42.
Sunday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60.
Sunday Night: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44.
Monday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62.
Tonight: A 30 percent chance of rain, mainly after 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49. South southeast wind between 6 and 10 mph.
Tuesday: Rain. High near 56. Southeast wind between 11 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Tuesday Night: Rain. Low around 46. Breezy, with a south southeast wind between 18 and 22 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Wednesday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 51. Breezy, with a southeast wind between 15 and 22 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39.
Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 55.
Thursday Night: A slight chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42.
Friday: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56.
Friday Night: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42.
Saturday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59.
Saturday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42.
Sunday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60.
Sunday Night: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44.
Monday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)