the "lack of rain" season continues

Well, Chico will finish December with only .26" of rain, making it the second driest December on record. And it looks like there is no significant rain in the forecast for at least the next seven days. High pressure will strengthen over Northern California, allowing high temperatures to climb into the lower to mid 60s the next few days. Overnight lows will remain chilly- mainly in the 30s. This dry air allows the huge temperature diurnal (the difference between the overnight low and daytime high temperature). We still have plenty of winter left, but this lack of rainfall is concerning. Also, if you're out and about celebrating the new year, expect dry conditions and temps hovering in the mid 40s around midnight tonight. Here is the seven day forecast for Chico from the National Weather Service:

Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 61. South wind 7 to 9 mph becoming west.

Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 35. North northeast wind around 7 mph.

New Year's Day: Mostly sunny, with a high near 64. North northwest wind around 6 mph.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 36. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming east southeast.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 61. East southeast wind between 5 and 7 mph.

Monday Night: Patchy fog after 10pm. Areas of frost after 10pm. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 36.

Tuesday: Patchy fog before 10am. Areas of frost before 10am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 61.

Tuesday Night: Patchy fog after 10pm. Patchy frost after 10pm. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 36.

Wednesday: Patchy fog before 10am. Patchy frost before 10am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 63.

Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39.

Thursday: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59.

Thursday Night: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36.

Friday: A slight chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 57.

change in the weather

From the National Weather Service:

AFTER A PERIOD OF DRY WEATHER OVER INTERIOR NORTHERN CALIFORNIA...A
COLD FRONT WILL SWEEP ACROSS THE AREA BRINGING RAIN...MOUNTAIN SNOW
AND WIND TO THE REGION. HOWEVER...IT DOES NOT LOOK LIKE A LOT OF
RAIN AND SNOW.

MOST OF THE PRECIPITATION WILL FALL NORTH OF THE INTERSTATE 80
CORRIDOR WITH THE SHASTA COUNTY MOUNTAINS RECEIVING MOST OF THE
PRECIPITATION. RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF AN INCH OR MORE ARE FORECAST FOR
THE AREA...WITH AMOUNTS TAPERING TO A FEW TENTHS OF INCH OVER THE
COASTAL MOUNTAINS AND SIERRA NEVADA NORTH OF INTERSTATE 80.

SNOW LEVELS WILL BE RELATIVELY HIGH...ABOVE 5000 FEET OVER THE
SHASTA COUNTY MOUNTAINS TO AROUND 7000 FEET OVER THE INTERSTATE 80
CORRIDOR ON FRIDAY WHEN MOST OF THE PRECIPITATION IS EXPECTED.
SNOWFALL AMOUNTS GENERALLY FROM 2 TO 4 INCHES ARE FORECAST...WITH AN
INCH OR TWO IN THE INTERSTATE 80 AND HIGHWAY 50 CORRIDOR. ALTHOUGH
SNOW LEVELS ARE LIKELY TO LOWER FRIDAY NIGHT...LITTLE PRECIPITATION
IS EXPECTED OVER THE AREA AS THE WEATHER SYSTEM WILL QUICKLY MOVE
THROUGH THE AREA.

SOUTHWEST WINDS FROM 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 50 MPH OR HIGHER ARE
EXPECTED OVER THE HIGHER MOUNTAINS. THE WINDS WILL INCREASE
TONIGHT...AND DECREASE BY FRIDAY EVENING.


Again, this storm does not have much moisture to work with, and it's a quick mover. Once this storm passes, expect a return to sunny, dry and mild weather. Look for high temps near 60 degrees for this weekend, and lows in the 30s to around 40 degrees.

possible rain for Friday

Today was mainly overcast and mild, with highs reaching into the mid 50s. There's only a slight chance of rain the next 36 hours, but a stronger storm system will affect the area by Friday. Again, not a lot of rain is expected, with generally a tenth of an inch or less possible. There may be some gusty southerly winds accompanying this storm, as well. By this weekend, expect dry weather for your New Year's Eve plans. It will be chilly as you're out and about New Year's Eve, with temperatures in the 30s and 40s. Bundle up! Here's the specific seven day forecast for Chico from the National Weather Service:

Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43. Calm wind becoming southeast around 6 mph. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60. Calm wind. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43. Southeast wind between 6 and 8 mph. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Friday: A 50 percent chance of rain, mainly before 4pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 57. Southeast wind between 13 and 18 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers before 10pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. South southeast wind 5 to 15 mph becoming north northeast. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.

Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 59.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 34.

New Year's Day: Partly sunny, with a high near 60.

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36.

Monday: A slight chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 60.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 35.

Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 60.

Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34.

Wednesday: A slight chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 59.

dry December

It looks like December 2011 will go down as the second driest on record for Chico. Just .25" has fallen since December 1st. With only scant chances of rain for this week, the prospects don't look good for clawing out of our rainfall deficit. We still have a ways to go in the rainy season (the rainy season usually winds down in April), so hopefully we can still catch up. It looks as though the Pacific Northwest will get the lion's share of the precipitation this week. Stubborn high pressure over California will shunt all of the stormy weather to our north. Plus, the jet stream is aimed right at Oregon and Washington, and the storm path rides along the jet stream. Translation: don't look for much rain in our area for awhile. Here is the not-so-wet forecast for Chico from the National Weather Service:

Tonight: Areas of frost after 10pm. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. Light north northwest wind.

Tuesday: Areas of frost before 10am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 56. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph.

Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 39. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after 10am. Cloudy, with a high near 59. Calm wind. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42. Light east wind.

Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 58.

Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39.

Friday: A slight chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 58.

Friday Night: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39.

Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 58.

Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38.

New Year's Day: Partly sunny, with a high near 57.

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35.

Monday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 58.

Nice holiday weather

It has been cold the past few mornings in Chico, with temperatures plummeting into the mid 20s. The Hard Freeze Warning that has been in effect the previous two nights in the Sacramento Valley is in effect for a third night, until 9am tomorrow. Look for lows Christmas morning around 27 degrees in Chico, and possibly colder temps west of the city. High temperatures the next few days will be the same as they have been the past few days- mid 50s. That's actually right about where we should be for this time of year. Finally, I'll end this blog entry by wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday season- Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy Kwanzaa. Here's Chico's forecast for the next seven days from the National Weather Service (notice the chances of rain beginning midweek next week- fingers crossed!):

Tonight: Patchy fog after 4am. Widespread frost, mainly after 4am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 27. East northeast wind between 3 and 5 mph.

Christmas Day: Patchy fog before 10am. Widespread frost before 10am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 57. Calm wind.

Sunday Night: Patchy fog after 4am. Patchy frost after 10pm. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 30. Calm wind.

Monday: Patchy fog before 10am. Areas of frost before 10am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 58. Calm wind.

Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36.

Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 58.

Tuesday Night: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43.

Wednesday: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 58.

Wednesday Night: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43.

Thursday: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60.

Thursday Night: A slight chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40.

Friday: A slight chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59.

Hard Freeze Warning

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SACRAMENTO HAS ISSUED A HARD
FREEZE WARNING FOR PORTIONS OF THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN SACRAMENTO
VALLEY...DELTA AND NORTHERN SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY...WHICH IS IN
EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 9 AM PST FRIDAY.

* TEMPERATURE: RANGE FROM 23 TO 27 IN MIDDLE AND EASTERN PORTIONS
OF VALLEY WITH 3 TO 5 HOURS BELOW 29 DEGREES. WESTERN EDGE OF
SACRAMENTO VALLEY AND DELTA ARE NOT LIKELY TO HAVE LONG ENOUGH
DURATION WITH COLD TEMPERATURES.

* LOCATIONS INCLUDE: AREAS WEST OF CHICO...MARYSVILLE...SACRAMENTO
AREA...STOCKTON...MODESTO

* IMPACTS: UNINSULATED PIPING COULD BURST DUE TO FREEZING WATER.
SENSITIVE VEGETATION COULD DIE DUE TO FROST.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A HARD FREEZE WARNING MEANS SUB-FREEZING TEMPERATURES ARE
IMMINENT OR HIGHLY LIKELY. THESE CONDITIONS WILL KILL CROPS AND
OTHER SENSITIVE VEGETATION. SHELTER ALL SENSITIVE ANIMALS OR PETS.

Is it December or April?

Looking at the current temperature (67 degrees in Chico), one would think Mother Nature was confused about which month it is. Light northwesterly winds, low humidity and ample sunshine are combining to cause the temperature to soar to nearly fifteen degrees above normal. Meanwhile, 90 miles to our south in Sacramento, fog has been persistent much of the day and temps there have been held into the 50s this afternoon. The dry, mild weather continues through at least the middle of next week. December 2011 may go down as one of the driest months in Chico's weather history if this trend continues. Hopefully we'll get more rain before the end of the year. Here's Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service:

Tonight: Patchy dense fog after 4am. Areas of frost after 4am. Otherwise, clear, with a low around 32. Light and variable wind.

Wednesday: Patchy dense fog before 10am. Areas of frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 59. North northwest wind 5 to 8 mph increasing to between 13 and 16 mph. Winds could gust as high as 28 mph.

Wednesday Night: Clear, with a low around 31. North northeast wind around 8 mph.

Thursday: Patchy fog after 10am. Areas of frost between 10am and 4pm. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 57. North wind around 7 mph.

Thursday Night: Areas of frost after 10pm. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 32. North northeast wind around 6 mph.

Friday: Areas of frost before 10am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 57.

Friday Night: Patchy fog after 10pm. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 33.

Saturday: Patchy fog before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 59.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 35.

Christmas Day: Mostly sunny, with a high near 59.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 36.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 57.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 36.

Tuesday: A slight chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 56.

dry and mild

A quick recap of Chico's weather the past three days: sunny and mild. Friday's high temperatures were pushed towards the 70 degree mark with northwesterly (read: downsloping) winds between 15-25 mph. Highs yesterday and today have been more seasonable- mid 50s. Yesterday and today have also seen very stagnant air and hazy skies. This is due to a stubborn and strong high pressure system staying put right on top of us. As a result, we have calm winds and sinking air, which is causing an inversion in which pollutants get trapped in the valley. Not good if you have asthma or any other type of breathing ailment. It looks like this high pressure system will remain anchored over us for the foreseeable future. No rain or wind is in the forecast for at least the next seven days, so the air may continue to remain stagnant and hazy. Here's Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service:

Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 36. Calm wind.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 59. North northwest wind between 5 and 8 mph.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 36. North wind around 7 mph.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 61. North wind between 3 and 6 mph.

Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 35. North northwest wind around 6 mph.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 58.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 34.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 58.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 35.

Friday: Patchy fog. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 59.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 36.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 60.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 39.

Christmas Day: Sunny, with a high near 60.

just a bit of rain

Chico actually saw some rainfall early this morning- .25" fell altogether. The clouds soon gave way to sunshine around mid- morning, and the northwest wind cleared out the stagnant air. The high temperature in Chico today made it to 55 degrees- just one degree below the average for the date. This will be the last time we see rain for awhile, as high pressure builds back in and deflects any Pacific storms to our north. Here is Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service:

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 36. North northwest wind around 8 mph.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 59. North northwest wind between 7 and 9 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 36. North northeast wind around 6 mph.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 58. North northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 35. Calm wind becoming northeast around 6 mph.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 56.

Sunday Night: Patchy frost after 4am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 36.

Monday: Patchy frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 59.

Monday Night: Areas of frost after 4am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 36.

Tuesday: Areas of frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 60.

Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 36.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 57.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 37.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 54.

where is the rain?

I wish I had the answer to that question. Alas, it looks like the abnormally dry weather pattern we've had since Thanksgiving weekend will continue for some time. Chico has not seen a drop- not even a trace- of precipitation since this month began. It's a bit concerning, but not necessarily indicative of a drought pattern. Some of our wettest rainy seasons have occurred in which the bulk of the precipitation fell in the spring. January is Chico's wettest month, followed by December. We'll have to wait and see if we get a parade of really wet storms at the end of the month to make up for the deficit we're in now. Until then, here's what the weather will look like for Chico the next seven days:

Tonight: Patchy frost after 10pm. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 27. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Wednesday: Areas of frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 56. Calm wind.

Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.

Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 54. Light and variable wind.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 34.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 58.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 34.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 57.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 33.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 56.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 35.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 58.

same old weather pattern

The weather continues to be quiet here in the Northstate. High temperatures the past few days in Chico have hovered in the mid to upper 50s, while lows have bottomed out right around freezing. Skies have been a mix of sun and clouds, and currently it's overcast. Other than a slight chance of rain Wednesday night and into Thursday, expect more of the same weather we've been experiencing the past two weeks. Here is the detailed seven day forecast for Chico from the National Weather Service:

Tonight: Areas of frost after 4am. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 31. South southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Monday: Areas of frost before 10am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 58. North northwest wind between 3 and 6 mph.

Monday Night: Patchy frost after 10pm. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 29. Calm wind becoming north northeast around 5 mph.

Tuesday: Areas of frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 57. Light and variable wind.

Tuesday Night: Patchy frost after 10pm. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 28. Light east wind.

Wednesday: Areas of frost before 10am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 56.

Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40.

Thursday: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 50.

Thursday Night: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 57.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 36.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 58.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 36.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 56.

perhaps some rain by next week?

Interesting weather trivia: Chico has had only one year since 1906 with no precipitation between November 24th (the date of the last time it rained in Chico) and December 14th (the next time we may see some rain). This year may be the second time since 1906. It's very unusual this time of year for Northern California to not see measurable precipitation. Hopefully we'll see some by the middle of next week. Until then, enjoy the cold, clear nights and mild, sunny days. Here's Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service:

Tonight: Areas of frost after 4am. Otherwise, clear, with a low around 32. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.

Friday: Areas of frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 57. North northwest wind between 3 and 5 mph.

Friday Night: Patchy frost after 10pm. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 32. Light northeast wind.

Saturday: Areas of frost before 10am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 58. Light and variable wind.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 33. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 55.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 38.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 56.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 39.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 54.

Tuesday Night: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40.

Wednesday: A slight chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 52.

Wednesday Night: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39.

Thursday: A slight chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 51.

another freeze warning for tonight into tomorrow morning

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SACRAMENTO HAS ISSUED A FREEZE
WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 9 AM PST
WEDNESDAY.

* TEMPERATURES: OVERNIGHT LOWS WILL RANGE FROM THE UPPER TWENTIES
IN RURAL AREAS OF THE DELTA AND THE NORTHERN SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
TO THE LOWER THIRTIES IN THE SACRAMENTO VALLEY. THE SACRAMENTO
METRO AREA WILL AGAIN EXPERIENCE NEAR FREEZING TEMPERATURES.
DURATIONS BELOW 30 DEGREES WILL LAST FOR 1 TO 4 HOURS FOR SOME
OF THE COLDER RURAL AREAS.

* TIMING: TEMPERATURES WILL WARM ABOVE FREEZING BETWEEN 8 AND 9
AM.

* LOCATIONS INCLUDE: REDDING...CHICO...MARYSVILLE...SACRAMENTO...
FAIRFIELD...STOCKTON...MODESTO

* IMPACTS: PEOPLE SHOULD TAKE MEASURES TO PROTECT FROST
SENSITIVE PLANTS. MAKE SURE PETS AND OTHER ANIMALS HAVE
SHELTER FROM THE COLD TEMPERATURES. OUTDOOR WATER PIPES
SHOULD BE WRAPPED... DRAINED...OR ALLOWED TO DRIP SLOWLY.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A FREEZE WARNING MEANS SUB-FREEZING TEMPERATURES ARE IMMINENT OR
HIGHLY LIKELY. THESE CONDITIONS WILL KILL CROPS AND OTHER
SENSITIVE VEGETATION.

It's the same "stuck in a rut" weather pattern I've been talking about for the past several days. Expect clear, cold nights and sunny, mild days for the next week. Low temps will be around freezing (or slightly below), while daytime highs will range from the mid 50s to about 60 degrees. We could use some rain!

freeze warning tonight

From the National Weather Service:

A FREEZE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 9 AM
PST TUESDAY.

A COLD DRY AIR MASS OVER THE INTERIOR COMBINED WITH CLEAR SKIES
AND LIGHT WINDS TONIGHT WILL ALLOW TEMPERATURES TO RAPIDLY COOL
TONIGHT TO BELOW FREEZING FOR MOST LOCATIONS.

* TEMPERATURES: LOWS BY MONDAY MORNING WILL RANGE FROM NEAR 28
DEGREES IN THE COLDEST RURAL LOCATIONS TO NEAR 32 DEGREES IN
DOWNTOWN SACRAMENTO. DURATIONS AT OR BELOW FREEZING WILL BE
FOR6 TO 12 HOURS WITH TEMPERATURES AT OR BELOW 28 DEGREES FOR
2 TO 4 HOURS FOR SOME OF THE COLDER RURAL AREAS.

* TIMING: FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT THROUGH 9 AM TUESDAY MORNING.

* LOCATIONS INCLUDE: STOCKTON...MODESTO...CHICO...REDDING

* IMPACTS: PEOPLE SHOULD TAKE MEASURES TO PROTECT FROST
SENSITIVE PLANTS. MAKE SURE PETS AND OTHER ANIMALS HAVE
SHELTER FROM THE COLD TEMPERATURES. OUTDOOR WATER PIPES
SHOULD BE WRAPPED... DRAINED...OR ALLOWED TO DRIP SLOWLY.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A FREEZE WARNING MEANS SUB-FREEZING TEMPERATURES ARE IMMINENT OR
HIGHLY LIKELY. THESE CONDITIONS CAN KILL OR DAMAGE CROPS AND
OTHER SENSITIVE VEGETATION.

The rest of the week looks dry and seasonable, with no major (or even minor) storms on the horizon. It doesn't look too good for the ski resorts right now! Hopefully we can get some snow up in the mountains by Christmas. For now, here is Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service:

Tonight: Clear, with a low around 27. Northeast wind around 6 mph.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 57. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Tuesday Night: Patchy frost after 10pm. Otherwise, clear, with a low around 27. Calm wind.

Wednesday: Patchy frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 57. Light and variable wind.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 33.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 57.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 38.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 56.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 36.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 56.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 36.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 54.

stuck in a rut

The weather pattern over the next seven days will pretty much be the same. We seem to be stuck in a rut weather wise here in Northern California. Sunny, mild days and clear, chilly nights will be the theme of this upcoming week as high pressure will keep any precipitation from forming. Yesterday was again quite blustery, with northwesterly breezes reaching gusts of 30 mph in Chico. The winds should slacken today, and should remain light the next seven days. This may create air stagnation, and pollutants may increase because of this. Chico currently has a policy in which woodburning is prohibited if particulate matter rises above a certain level. This includes burning wood in your fireplace, as smoke from chimneys hangs over Chico like a blanket. When this happens, especially during the evenings, I can smell the smoke, which irritates my eyes and lungs. Not good. Anyway, highs over the next seven days should be in the upper 50s to around 60 degrees (normal high for Chico this time of year is 57 degrees), while overnight lows will be in the mid 30s (36 degrees is the normal low). Have a good week!

blustery!

The past 36 hours in Chico have been quite blustery, with peak wind gusts up to 40 mph at the Chico Municipal Airport. Winds are still sustained from the northwest around 20-25 mph at this hour. The Wind Advisory currently in effect will end at 6 pm this evening. With the winds slackening, along with clear skies, expect the temperature to drop into the 30s overnight. For the most part, we'll see sunny skies and near-seasonal temps the next seven days. No big storms are on the horizon, which concerns me. We need precipitation, particularly in the mountains. Most peaks in the Sierra Nevada have a foot or less of snow right now. We need to build up the snow pack, not only for the ski season, but for the water supply. Many of our reservoirs in Northern California are fed by snowmelt. It's only December 1st, and the weather could change, so I remain cautiously optimistic we'll see at least two big storms this month. Fingers crossed! Here is Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service:

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 38. North northwest wind between 8 and 18 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 63. North northwest wind between 7 and 9 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 38. North northwest wind around 7 mph.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 58. North wind between 9 and 18 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 36. North wind around 8 mph.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 57.

Sunday Night: Patchy frost after 4am. Otherwise, clear, with a low around 32.

Monday: Patchy frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 60.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 37.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 59.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 41.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 58.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 39.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 57.

Dense Fog Advisory and Wind Advisory info

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SACRAMENTO HAS ISSUED A DENSE FOG
ADVISORY...WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM PST WEDNESDAY. THE WIND
ADVISORY IS NOW IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM WEDNESDAY TO 6 PM PST
THURSDAY.

* WINDS...NORTHERLY 25 TO 40 WITH GUSTS TO AROUND 50 MPH.
STRONGEST WINDS OVER THE WESTERN SIDE OF THE VALLEY.

* IMPACTS...HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS...ESPECIALLY FOR HIGH
PROFILE VEHICLES. SOME LOCAL POWER OUTAGES POSSIBLE. LOOSE
OBJECTS OUTDOORS WILL NEED TO BE SECURED.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WIND ADVISORY MEANS THAT WINDS OF 25 MPH WITH GUSTS OVER 40 MPH
ARE EXPECTED. WINDS THIS STRONG CAN MAKE DRIVING DIFFICULT...
ESPECIALLY FOR HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES. USE EXTRA CAUTION.

A DENSE FOG ADVISORY MEANS VISIBILITIES WILL FREQUENTLY BE
REDUCED TO LESS THAN ONE QUARTER MILE. IF DRIVING...SLOW DOWN...
USE YOUR LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS...AND LEAVE PLENTY OF DISTANCE
BETWEEN YOU AND THE CAR AHEAD OF YOU.

Wind Advisory posted

There will be a dry but vigorous storm system pushing through our area Wednesday, bringing with it gusty northerly winds. More from the National Weather Service:

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SACRAMENTO HAS ISSUED A WIND
ADVISORY...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM WEDNESDAY TO 6 PM PST
THURSDAY.

* TIMING...BECOMING WINDY WEDNESDAY MORNING. DECREASING WINDS WEDNESDAY
NIGHT AND BECOMING WINDY AGAIN THURSDAY.

* WINDS...NORTHERLY 25 TO 35 GUSTS TO AROUND 45 MPH.

* IMPACTS...HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS...ESPECIALLY FOR HIGH
PROFILE VEHICLES. SOME LOCAL POWER OUTAGES WILL BE POSSIBLE AS
SOME TREES MAY LOOSE SMALL BRANCHES. ANY LOOSE OBJECTS OUTDOORS
WILL NEED TO BE SECURED.

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.

It will be sunny the next seven days in Chico, with highs right around 60 degrees and lows around 40 degrees. Winds should subside by Thursday, and the weekend looks nice!

Dense Fog Advisory

From the National Weather Service office in Sacramento:

A DENSE FOG ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM FOR THE INTERIOR
VALLEY OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA. VISIBILITIES OF ONE-QUARTER MILE OR
LESS WILL BE OCCURRING THROUGH EARLY THIS MORNING FROM SOUTH OF
RED BLUFF TO SACRAMENTO TO STOCKTON AND MODESTO. THIS ALSO
INCLUDES THE CARQUINEZ STRAIT AND DELTA.

TRAVEL ALONG THE MAJOR INTERSTATES AND HIGHWAYS WILL BE AFFECTED
BY THE LOW VISIBILITIES...INCLUDING INTERSTATES 5 AND 80...AND
HIGHWAYS 99...70 AND 65.

VISIBILITIES WILL SLOWLY IMPROVE LATER THIS MORNING AND AFTERNOON AS
THE FOG LIFTS TO A LOW GRAY OVERCAST.

persistent fog

Fog has been persistent today in the Sacramento Valley. These two photos were taken from my back porch looking west. The top photo was taken earlier this year on a clear day. You can see the snow-capped Coast Range and the valley floor. The photo below was taken earlier today, with the persistent fog bank in the valley. The two photos are a comparison and to give one a perspective on how thick fog can get in the valley. Fog continues to linger currently, keeping temperatures in Chico stuck in the 40s. Fog will reform tonight (if it ever burns off today) and become dense overnight, so be careful if traveling during the early morning hours. The fog should be confined to the Southern Sacramento Valley by Monday, keeping it out of Chico. Temperatures under sunny skies will warm into the mid 60s by later this next week. Here are the details from the National Weather Service:

Tonight: Areas of dense fog after 10pm. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.

Sunday: Areas of dense fog before 10am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 61. Light and variable wind.

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42. Calm wind.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 65. Light north northwest wind.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 43. North wind between 3 and 5 mph.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 65.

Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 41.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 64.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 41.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 61.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 40.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 59.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 40.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 60.

foggy mornings, sunny afternoons

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. It was a gray and somewhat wet day today, as Chico saw .44 of an inch of rain. If you're getting an early start on Black Friday (some stores in Chico will open at midnight tonight), be very careful when driving. Fog is thick in some areas, with visibilities down to one mile or less, particularly in the foothills right now. This will be the weather pattern the next few days, as the valley will see areas of dense fog in the overnight and early morning hours, followed by afternoon sunshine. High temperatures the next several days will be in the low to mid 60s as strong high pressure will dominate our weather. Here are the details specifically for Chico from the National Weather Service:

Tonight: A 20 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. Light east southeast wind.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 59. Calm wind becoming northwest between 5 and 8 mph.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 40. North northwest wind between 3 and 6 mph.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 62. Calm wind.

Saturday Night: Areas of dense fog after 10pm. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 42. Calm wind.

Sunday: Areas of dense fog before 10am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 65.

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42.

Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 65.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 40.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 65.

Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 41.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 64.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 40.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 61.

wet Thanksgiving, followed by spring-like weekend

It looks like this storm and its associated cold front are weakening, after pounding parts of the Pacific Northwest with strong winds and heavy rain the past two days. Portland, Oregon received nearly two and a half inches of rain in just over 24 hours! Parts of the Seattle area received over an inch of rain in just a few hours early this morning. Fortunately (or unfortunately, if , like me, you love stormy weather) we won't see all of that heavy rain and high winds here. Still, expect Thanksgiving to be wet for most of the northern Sacramento Valley and adjacent foothills the next 24 hours. Snow levels will be high- mainly above pass level. Just a few inches of snow is expected above 6000 feet through tomorrow night. This weekend looks spectacular, with sunny skies and spring-like temperatures in the mid to upper 60s in Chico. Enjoy as you go out and about getting your Christmas shopping done! Here is Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service:

Today: A 30 percent chance of rain, mainly after 4pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 58. Southeast wind between 10 and 13 mph. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Tonight: Rain, mainly after 10pm. Low around 42. Southeast wind between 10 and 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Thanksgiving Day: Rain, mainly before 4pm. High near 55. Southeast wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. East northeast wind between 3 and 6 mph. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 59. North northwest wind around 6 mph.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 39.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 63.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 41.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 64.

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40.

Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 65.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 38.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 64.

still on track for a stormy Thanksgiving

Today has been fairly quiet after a rainy and breezy (at times) weekend. Chico received well over a half an inch of rain between Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon. The break from the rain continues tomorrow and for most of Wednesday before a powerful jet stream steers a very wet and windy storm our way. Expect rain and breezy conditions for the valley (including Chico) Wednesday night and Thursday (Turkey Day). For the Sierra, snow levels will initially start out high Wednesday evening- 6000 feet. By Thursday morning, snow levels will drop to 4000 feet. Right now there still is no clear forecast of snowfall tallies, but expect at least six inches of snow above pass level by Thursday afternoon. As for rainfall totals, I'm going to guess anywhere from .50 to over one inch for most valley locations. Black Friday looks drier and calmer as the storm exits our area. The weekend looks very nice, with seasonal temps and sunny skies. Here are the specifics for Chico from the National Weather Service:

Tonight: A 20 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. East southeast wind around 10 mph. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 59. South southeast wind between 11 and 13 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42. Southeast wind between 8 and 10 mph.

Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 57. Southeast wind between 7 and 13 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.

Wednesday Night: Rain. Low around 39. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Thanksgiving Day: Rain. High near 55. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Thursday Night: A chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 37.

Friday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 36.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 61.

Saturday Night: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40.

Sunday: A slight chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 61.

Sunday Night: A chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 39.

Monday: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61.

rain tonight and tomorrow

A fast-moving storm will bring breezy and wet conditions to the Sacramento Valley tonight and tomorrow. Precipitation amounts will range from a tenth to a third of an inch in the valley. In the mountains, expect 5 to 10 inches of snow above 4000 feet by tomorrow afternoon. Winds from the southeast should generally be in the 10-20 mph range. Low temperatures tonight should bottom out in the mid to upper 30s in Chico. Highs tomorrow will only be in the upper 40s (normal highs this time of year should be in the lower 60s). This storm should clear the area by tomorrow afternoon, just in time for the Christmas Preview in downtown Chico. Stay safe and dry!

chilly and blustery... but no showers

It has been very chilly and rather blustery today. However, the "100% chance of showers" never materialized. The National Weather Service is keeping a chance of showers in this afternoon's and this evening's forecast, as isolated showers have popped up over the northern Sacramento Valley. But, Chico has not seen a drop of rain the past 24 hours. We have seen gusty winds to nearly 30 mph from the southeast, however. A lot of the leaves on the trees are falling with these winds, stripping the trees nearly bare. The weekend looks so-so, with a chance of showers Saturday night and lingering into the first part of Sunday. The sun returns for Monday and Tuesday of next week. Right now, forecast models are not in agreement with this supposed Thanksgiving storm. Confidence in the timing and the strength of this storm are low at this time. Stay tuned for updates. The big event happening in Chico this weekend (other than the Chico State students leaving town for Thanksgiving break) is the annual Christmas Preview. Happening Sunday from 4-8 pm, this Chico tradition draws people from all over (okay, a slight exaggeration) to come downtown to sip warm cider and cocoa, peruse the stores and local businesses, and get a chance to visit with Santa. There will be Christmas lights twinkling in the storefront windows, as well as holiday displays. You can even ride in a horse-drawn carriage (sans snow). Check it out. Here's the latest seven day forecast for Chico from the NWS:

Tonight: Showers likely, mainly before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. East northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after 10am. Partly sunny, with a high near 50. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph.

Saturday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. East southeast wind at 5 mph becoming north northeast.

Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 54. North wind around 6 mph becoming west.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 34.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 59.

Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39.

Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 62.

Tuesday Night: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40.

Wednesday: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62.

Wednesday Night: Showers likely. Cloudy, with a low around 39.

Thanksgiving Day: A chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 55.

significant storm for Thanksgiving?

Today has been mostly cloudy in Chico, with temperatures hovering in the mid 60s this afternoon. Winds have increased from the southeast this afternoon ahead of the next storm to impact our region beginning tonight and lasting through tomorrow. Snow levels will initially be high- 6500 feet in the Sierra Nevada late tonight. However, the snow level will fall to around 3000 feet by late tomorrow as colder air filters in behind this storm. For the valley, including Chico, rain is likely late tonight and lasting through tomorrow. We may see about a quarter to a half an inch of rain from this storm between tonight and tomorrow night. A weaker storm moves through late Saturday/ Sunday time frame. This storm will have less precipitation with it, but the cold air already in place may lower snow levels down to around 2000 feet by Saturday night. Forecast models are trending toward a powerful storm with abundant moisture affecting our area next Wednesday into Thanksgiving, just in time to impact holiday travel. This storm will originate in the Pacific, and not the Gulf of Alaska; as a result, we will see more precipitation but warmer air with the Thanksgiving storm. The timing is still iffy at this point, but check back for updates, especially if traveling to the mountains for some holiday skiing. For now, here's the latest forecast for Chico from the National Weather Service:

Tonight: Rain, mainly after 10pm. Low around 40. South southeast wind between 6 and 13 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Friday: Showers. High near 52. South southeast wind between 7 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Friday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. East southeast wind between 3 and 7 mph. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 49. East northeast wind at 7 mph becoming south southeast.

Saturday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 31.

Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 51.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 33.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 58.

Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36.

Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 60.

Tuesday Night: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39.

Wednesday: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59.

interesting weather ahead

From the National Weather Service office in Sacramento:

A PAIR OF COLD STORMS FROM THE GULF OF ALASKA WILL BRING HAZARDOUS
TRAVEL AT TIMES OVER MOUNTAIN PASSES THROUGH THE WEEKEND. THE
BRUNT OF THE FIRST STORM OCCURS DURING THE DAY FRIDAY WITH SNOW
ACCUMULATIONS ABOVE 2500 FEET. GUSTY WINDS OVER THE HIGHER SIERRA
MAY BRING SNOW AMOUNTS OF UP TO 10 INCHES...POOR VISIBILITY AND
COLD WIND CHILL TEMPERATURES. THE NEXT STORM ARRIVING SATURDAY
NIGHT INTO EARLY SUNDAY SHOULD HAVE LESS PRECIPITATION.

AFTER A LULL EARLY NEXT WEEK...A LARGER AND STRONGER STORM SYSTEM
APPROACHES BRINGING THE POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT MOUNTAIN SNOW
WEDNESDAY INTO THURSDAY. WHILE UNCERTAINTY REMAINS WITH THE
DETAILS OF THIS STORM...THE CURRENT TIMING WOULD BRING HEAVIER
PRECIPITATION DURING THE PEAK OF HOLIDAY TRAVEL. THIS SYSTEM
SHOULD NOT BE AS COLD AS THE FIRST 2 STORMS...BUT WOULD HAVE A
MORE SIGNIFICANT SUPPLY OF MOISTURE. THIS COULD BRING HEAVY SNOW
OVER THE MOUNTAIN PASSES AND RESULTING TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES.

PLEASE MONITOR THE LATEST WEATHER FORECASTS FOR THOSE PLANNING
TRAVEL OVER MOUNTAIN PASSES LATE THIS WEEK AND THROUGH NEXT WEEK.

change in the weather coming

The past two days have been beautiful in Chico, with sunny skies and daytime temps in the mid to upper 60s. We will see one more day of this nice fall weather before a change comes. By Thursday, clouds will increase ahead of a cold storm system approaching from the Gulf of Alaska. These Gulf of Alaska storms almost always bring colder air with them this time of the year, and this one is no exception. Expect highs to plummet a good 15 degrees where they have been today by Friday and Saturday. Rain is a possibility Thursday night, tapering to showers by Friday. Another storm will bring light rain and low elevation snow showers (as low as 2500 feet- that's Forest Ranch and Magalia) Saturday night. Lows in the valley by this weekend could dip below freezing. You may want to bring in the tender vegetation Saturday night and into Sunday morning. There will be updates to this forecast as the storm gets closer, so check back for them. For now, here's what the National Weather Service is saying for Chico the next seven days:

Tonight: Patchy fog after 10pm. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 41. North northwest wind between 3 and 9 mph.

Wednesday: Patchy fog before 10am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 64. Light and variable wind.

Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43. Calm wind.

Thursday: A 30 percent chance of rain, mainly after 4pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61. Calm wind becoming south southeast around 6 mph. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Thursday Night: A 50 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. Southeast wind around 8 mph.

Friday: Showers. High near 53. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Friday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31.

Saturday: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 49.

Saturday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31.

Sunday: A slight chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 52.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 32.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 57.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 35.

Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 56.

fall is in the air

These photos were taken earlier today on the campus of Chico State University (my alma mater). As you can see, the fall colors are becoming more vivid than they were just a few days ago. The leaves should reach their peak fall color this week. Also as you can see, it has been mainly overcast today. That's the opposite of what the National Weather Service forecasters were calling for, which was mostly sunny skies. That may still happen, but at the time I'm typing this entry, it is still mostly cloudy. Most of this upcoming week will be dry and seasonable, with highs in the mid 60s and lows right around 40 degrees. Thursday night we'll begin to see a chance of rain, and that will linger through the weekend. Colder tmperatures will also prevail next weekend, with highs on Friday in the mid 50s and highs on Saturday in the upper 40s! Low temperatures on Saturday morning will plummet to around 30 degrees. Get ready for the colder weather that appears to be in store for Chico. Have a great week!

mainly dry weekend

It looks like this storm will move to our south and southwest, in effect not affecting us at all. The forecast for this weekend and beyond calls for dry, sunny days and clear, crisp nights. Highs will be mainly in the lower to mid 60s, while morning lows will range from the mid 30s to lower 40s. Perfect fall weather! Here's Chico's detailed forecast from the National Weather Service:

Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 36. Light and variable wind.

Veterans Day: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60. North wind around 6 mph becoming calm.

Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. Calm wind.

Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 61. Northwest wind between 3 and 5 mph.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 42. West northwest wind around 6 mph becoming east southeast.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 63.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 40.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 63.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 40.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 62.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 40.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 61.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 40.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 60.

Don't cancel those weekend outdoor plans just yet.

It looks like this storm that is forecast to affect our region this weekend will in fact skirt the coast of California. This will limit precipitation in the Northstate, and just light amounts of rain (and mountain snow) will fall. So don't cancel those weekend outdoor plans just yet, as the forecast calls for just a 30% chance of showers Friday and a 20% chance on Saturday. High temperatures are expected to be warmer than previously thought, as well, with highs Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in the lower to mid 60s. Today has been warmer than yesterday, with the current temperature in Chico hovering around 60 degrees. There have been more clouds today than yesterday, though. The fall colors in Chico are rapidly accelerating, and I think the peak of the fall foliage will occur this weekend and into next week. I need to get out and take some pictures before the color fades! Here is the detailed seven day forecast for Chico from the National Weather Service:

Tonight: Patchy fog after 4am. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 39. Light northeast wind.

Thursday: Patchy fog before 10am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 66. North northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Thursday Night: A 10 percent chance of showers after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.

Veterans Day: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62. Northeast wind at 5 mph becoming south.

Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41.

Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 61.

Saturday Night: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42.

Sunday: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 63.

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40.

Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 61.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 41.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 63.

rainy weekend ahead?

The forecast models indicate we may see some rain this weekend, along with continued cool weather. Yesterday's high in Chico was 60 degrees, about eight degrees below the average for the date. So far today we've seen temps in the 50s, after a cold morning low of 32 degrees. We will see a brief warm-up to average temperatures by Thursday before a weak storm system moves in Thursday night. A stronger storm may affect our region Saturday night and into Sunday. However, computer models show the bulk of the moisture sliding down into Southern California. We will have to wait and see how much our area will be impacted by the weekend storm. For now, here's the latest forecast for Chico from the National Weather Service:

Tonight: Patchy fog after 10pm. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 38. Calm wind.

Wednesday: Patchy fog before 10am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 62. Light northwest wind.

Wednesday Night: Patchy fog after 10pm. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 40. Light north northeast wind.

Thursday: Patchy fog before 10am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 66. Light and variable wind.

Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of rain after 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43.

Veterans Day: A 40 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60.

Friday Night: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40.

Saturday: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61.

Saturday Night: A chance of rain. Cloudy, with a low around 43.

Sunday: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59.

Sunday Night: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40.

Monday: A slight chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 59.

cold and unsettled

This weekend has been cold and unsettled as a low pressure system originating in the Gulf of Alaska has influenced our weather here in Northern California. This storm brought us .41 of an inch of rain to Chico, along with cold high temps only in the lower 50s both yesterday and today. Up to six inches of snow have fallen in the Sierra Nevada above 4000 feet over the past 24 hours. This storm is now exiting our area, and skies should turn partly cloudy tomorrow after some patchy morning fog. Morning lows will be cold in Chico tomorrow, with temperatures dipping into the mid 30s. Brrr! Highs tomorrow through Wednesday will be in the lower 60s. More chilly, unsettled weather invades Thursday through next Saturday as another series of storms move in. Here are the details from the National Weather Service:

Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 34. South wind at 5 mph becoming north.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 60. North northwest wind around 6 mph.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 36. East wind around 6 mph.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 61. Northeast wind at 6 mph becoming southwest.

Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 36. Calm wind becoming north northeast around 5 mph.

Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 63.

Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39.

Thursday: A slight chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 61.

Thursday Night: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40.

Veterans Day: A slight chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 59.

Friday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37.

Saturday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56.

Saturday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41.

Sunday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56.

another storm for this weekend

Just as one fairly weak storm departs, another one is on its heels. We've seen a reprieve today, but rain and mountain snow will return for late Saturday afternoon and Saturday night for the region. A Winter Storm Watch has been posted for the Sierra Nevada for elevations above 4000 feet beginning tomorrow afternoon through Sunday morning. Up to six inches of the white stuff may fall above 4000 feet, while above 6000 feet expect up to a foot of snow. In the valley (including Chico) expect breezy conditions and rainfall adding up to about a quarter of an inch tomorrow evening through overnight Saturday/Sunday. It has been quite chilly in Chico today, despite the sunshine. Current temps are in the mid to upper 50s across the North Valley, with 55 degrees at present at the Chico Airport. Expect cold conditions overnight, with lows in the mid 30s. You may want to cover any sensitive vegetation, just in case of any frost accumulating. Fortunately, the chilly temperatures won't stick around for long, as we will see more seasonable highs in the 60s by early next week. Have a safe and fun weekend! Here's the detailed forecast for Chico from the National Weather Service:

Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 34. North northwest wind between 3 and 9 mph.

Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers after 11am. Increasing clouds, with a high near 54. Northeast wind at 11 mph becoming southeast. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Saturday Night: Rain. Low around 37. South southeast wind between 13 and 16 mph becoming light. Winds could gust as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 54. Light and variable wind.

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 59.

Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 61.

Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 39.

Wednesday: A slight chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 64.

Wednesday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42.

Thursday: A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 67.

frost advisory up

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SACRAMENTO HAS ISSUED A FROST
ADVISORY...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM TO 8 AM PDT THURSDAY.

* TEMPERATURE...CLEAR SKIES AND CALM WINDS WILL ALLOW TEMPERATURES
TO DROP TO NEAR FREEZING OVER PORTIONS OF THE CENTRAL SACRAMENTO
VALLEY TONIGHT...ESPECIALLY FOR LOWER ELEVATIONS WEST OF HIGHWAY 99.

* IMPACTS...TEMPERATURES NEAR FREEZING MAY BE HARMFUL TO PLANTS
AND LIVESTOCK. PLANTS MAY FORM FROST EVEN WHEN THE AIR
TEMPERATURE DOES NOT REACH FREEZING...AND FROST CAN FORM FROM
MOISTURE WITHIN PLANTS WHICH IS ESPECIALLY HARMFUL.

***UPDATE***
The Frost Advisory has been cancelled as I type this at 4 am Thursday. The clouds associated with the next storm moving in, combined with mild southerly winds, have prevented temperatures from dropping. Currently in Chico the temperature is 59 degrees. A little too warm for frost to form!

wetter and cooler tomorrow

After seeing high temps in the lower 80s on Monday, we will see much cooler weather by tomorrow- 30 degrees cooler than it was on Monday! A cold low pressure system originating in the Gulf of Alaska will bring the cooler temperatures and wet weather to our region beginning tomorrow. Showers are likely through early Friday. Sunshine returns briefly for Friday and the first half of Saturday with high temperatures stuck in the 50s both days. Another weather system moves in late Saturday and into Sunday, but right now the precipitation amounts look light for this second storm. Sunshine makes a comeback for early next week with high temperatures expected to top out in the lower 60s. That's still several degrees below normal for early November. Snow levels with this first storm will lower to around 3500-4000 feet by Friday morning, with up to six inches of snow possible. If traveling through the mountains, be prepared for winter driving conditions. The weather today has been beautiful, with sunny skies and less wind than we saw yesterday. Winds yesterday were from the northwest gusting to over 30 mph. The fall foliage in Chico is rapidly accelerating. Chico normally sees the peak of the fall colors around mid-November, so we should be on schedule this year. Every year I love to take pictures of the fall colors, so I may do that this weekend. I might have to dodge some raindrops while doing so, however. Here is the detailed seven day forecast for Chico from the National Weather Service:

Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 35. Southeast wind between 7 and 10 mph.

Thursday: Showers likely, mainly after 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 54. Southeast wind between 6 and 9 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Thursday Night: Showers likely, mainly before 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. East southeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 52. Calm wind becoming northwest between 5 and 8 mph.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 34.

Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 54.

Saturday Night: Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38.

Sunday: A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 56.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 38.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 63.

Monday Night: A slight chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 42.

Tuesday: A slight chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 63.

changes in the weather

From the National Weather Service:

COOLER...WETTER AND WINDIER WEATHER RETURNS THIS WEEK AS A PAIR OF
WEATHER SYSTEMS WILL AFFECT THE REGION. THE FIRST SYSTEM WILL
BRING INCREASING NORTHERLY WINDS TODAY. NORTHERLY WINDS OF 15 TO
25 MPH WITH LOCAL GUSTS UP TO 30 MPH WILL BE POSSIBLE IN THE
SACRAMENTO VALLEY...ESPECIALLY ALONG THE WEST SIDE OF THE VALLEY.
LOCAL GUSTS UP TO 40 MILES PER HOUR WILL BE POSSIBLE TONIGHT OVER
THE NORTHERN SIERRA NEVADA...ESPECIALLY DOWN WEST FACING CANYONS
AND OVER MOUNTAIN RIDGES. WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO DECREASE BY
WEDNESDAY.

A MUCH COLDER WEATHER SYSTEM IS FORECAST TO MOVE INTO THE REGION
THURSDAY. GENERALLY LIGHT TO MODERATE AMOUNTS OF PRECIPITATION ARE
EXPECTED WITH THIS SYSTEM INTO FRIDAY WITH POTENTIALLY SEVERAL
INCHES OF SNOW ACCUMULATING OVER THE HIGHER NORTHERN SIERRA NEVADA
MOUNTAIN PASSES...INCLUDING I-80 OVER DONNER PASS AND HIGHWAY 50
OVER ECHO SUMMIT. SNOW LEVELS BY THURSDAY NIGHT ARE FORECAST TO
LOWER TO AROUND 3000 FEET FOR THE SOUTHERN CASCADES AND AROUND 4000
FEET FOR SIERRA NEVADA SOUTH OF LAKE TAHOE.

And the seven day forecast for Chico:

Today: Sunny, with a high near 70. North northwest wind between 9 and 14 mph.

Tonight: Clear, with a low around 35. North northeast wind around 9 mph.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 71. North wind between 4 and 7 mph becoming calm.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 39. Southeast wind around 8 mph.

Thursday: Showers likely. Cloudy, with a high near 54. East southeast wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Thursday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36.

Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 54.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 34.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 57.

Saturday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37.

Sunday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 38.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 62.

cooling down this week

Yesterday's high temperature at Chico Municipal Airport (which now seems to have its own reliable NWS observation station) was 82 degrees. That's nine degrees above our average for October 29th. We will see two more days of above average temps before the weather begins to change. High temperatures today and tomorrow will range from the mid 70s to lower 80s under wall-to-wall sunshine. Sunny skies will linger through at least the middle of this upcoming week, but temperatures will cool into the 60s to around 70 degrees by Tuesday. Temperatures will continue to cool down as the week progresses, with highs only in the upper 50s to around 60 degrees Thursday through Saturday. A chance of showers creeps into the picture on Thursday and again on Saturday. Meanwhile, in the mountains, snow levels are expected to drop to around 2500-3000 feet by the end of the week. Right now there is no expectation of a huge snow event; most likely just a few snowflakes will fall, leading to a light dusting at these elevations. But, the forecast can always change, so check back for updates. Right now the forecast for trick or treating looks fabulous, with temps in the lower 70s and clear skies around sunset tomorrow evening. Downtown Chico is hosting its annual Treat Street from 2-5pm tomorrow. Stores will be giving away free candy and other goodies during this event, so be sure to bring the little ones all decked out in their Halloween costumes. It's just another reason that Chico is so cool. Here is the latest forecast for Chico from the National Weather Service:

Today: Sunny, with a high near 80. Light and variable wind.

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 48. Light and variable wind.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 75. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 48. Calm wind becoming north northwest around 6 mph.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 70. North northwest wind around 10 mph.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 41.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 69.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 42.

Thursday: A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 61.

Thursday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39.

Friday: A slight chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 58.

Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40.

Saturday: A slight chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 59.

warm weekend followed by cooler work week

It was a sunny and warm afternoon in Chico, as the high temperature climbed to 78 degrees. This warm trend will continue into the weekend, with highs both Saturday and Sunday reaching to near 80 degrees (normal high for October 29th is 73 degrees). However, it looks like next week will be cooler, with highs into the lower 70s through Wednesday, and the upper 60s for Thursday through next Friday. There might even be a chance of rain showers for the end of next week. We haven't seen rain in over three weeks! We'll have to see if this forecast pans out; for now, here is Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service:

Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 41. North northeast wind around 5 mph.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 77. North northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 42. North northwest wind between 3 and 8 mph.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 77. North northwest wind around 6 mph.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 42. North wind around 5 mph.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 74.

Monday Night: Clear, with a low around 51.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 70.

Tuesday Night: Clear, with a low around 48.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 72.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 43.

Thursday: A slight chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 68.

Thursday Night: A slight chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44.

Friday: A slight chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 64.

chilly mornings, mild afternoons

This is the time of year in these parts where you need to dress in layers. Start out with a coat or jacket, and then peel off layers of clothing as the day wears on until you end up with a short sleeve shirt. The low temperature this morning out at the Chico State Farm south of town was a cold 37 degrees! Lows in the region ranged from the upper 30s to lower 40s this morning. By this afternoon, many locations were seeing temps in the lower to mid 70s. This trend will continue for the next seven days- chilly nights followed by sunny and mild afternoons. Perfect fall weather! Here's the detailed forecast for Chico from the National Weather Service:

Tonight: Clear, with a low around 44. North wind between 4 and 7 mph becoming calm.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 74. Northwest wind between 3 and 5 mph.

Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 46. Light and variable wind.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 72. Northeast wind at 5 mph becoming west southwest.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 48. Calm wind becoming north northeast around 6 mph.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 75.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 49.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 76.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 49.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 76.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 48.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 72.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 47.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 71.

noticeably cooler

Wow! It has been very cool today, especially when compared to just two days ago. The temperature currently in Chico is 70 degrees, with a northwesterly breeze between 15-20 mph. The cooler weather is thanks to a cold front that passed through late yesterday. No precipitation was associated with it- just a wind shift and cooler air from the north. We should see temps remain in the lower to mid 70s through this weekend. What will be more noticeable, though, will be the low temps. Lows will hover in the lower to mid 40s the next several mornings. Break out the jacket or coat for the first time this season! Here's the seven day forecast for Chico from the National Weather Service:

Tonight: Clear, with a low around 44. North northwest wind between 7 and 11 mph.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 71. North northwest wind around 9 mph.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 45. North northeast wind around 8 mph.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 72. North northwest wind between 5 and 7 mph.

Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 46.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 72.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 48.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 73.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 50.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 75.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 49.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 75.

cool down on the way

Today was another warm one in Chico, with a high temperature of 83 degrees. Today should be the last day above 80 degrees for awhile (and hopefully for the rest of the year) as a cold front sweeps through tomorrow. Winds will shift to the north/ northeast late tomorrow/ early Tuesday, ushering much drier and cooler air. Lows by Wednesday morning may dip into the mid 40s. That's where we should be this time of year for low temperatures, but we haven't yet seen temps that cold this season. Highs will stay in the lower to mid 70s for much of this week- again, where we should be, but cooler than it has been in awhile. Here are the specifics from the National Weather Service:

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 52. South wind at 6 mph becoming northeast.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 76. Light and variable wind.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 50. South wind at 7 mph becoming northeast.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 72. North northwest wind between 6 and 11 mph.

Tuesday Night: Clear, with a low around 47. North wind between 7 and 10 mph.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 71.

Wednesday Night: Clear, with a low around 44.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 73.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 46.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 72.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 49.

Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 71.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 50.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 73.

continued dry and mild

The high temperature today in Chico was a warm, but pleasant, 81 degrees. That's about four degrees above avergae, so not too bad. This trend will continue for awhile, warming up a few more degrees for tomorrow as high pressure strengthens over Northern California. Breezy and slightly cooler conditions are expected next week as a low pressure system swings to our north. Get out and enjoy the beautiful weather this weekend! For ideas on what events and happenings to attend (including our own year-round farmer's market- every Saturday from 7am until 1pm) check out the latest online edition of the Chico News and Review. I have a link from this page to the right. Here's the nice seven day forecast for Chico from the National Weather Service:

Tonight: Clear, with a low around 53. North northwest wind between 3 and 6 mph.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 83. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph.

Saturday Night: Clear, with a low around 53. Light northwest wind.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 78. Light and variable wind.

Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 53. Southeast wind around 6 mph becoming northeast.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 78.

Monday Night: Clear, with a low around 49.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 74.

Tuesday Night: Clear, with a low around 49.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 75.

Wednesday Night: Clear, with a low around 46.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 75.

Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 49.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 75.

what a difference a day makes

This time yesterday the temperature in Chico was 85 degrees; currently it is 76 degrees. I believe a weak area of low pressure that moved north of us into the Pacific Northwest is partly responsible for today's cooler temps. High temperatures the next several days will not deviate too much from where we are right now- mainly upper 70s to around 80 degrees. Lows will bottom out in the lower 50s. Normals for this time of year are 77 for the high and 46 for the low. Again, no rain is expected the next seven days. Here are the details from the National Weather Service:

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 53. Northwest wind between 3 and 5 mph.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 78. Northeast wind at 5 mph becoming south.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 52. South southeast wind around 6 mph becoming north northeast.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 79. North northwest wind between 3 and 7 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 53. North northwest wind around 6 mph.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 83.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 54.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 81.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 52.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 79.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 51.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 77.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 51.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 78.

warm and breezy day

The high temperature today in Chico under sunny skies and northwesterly breezes was 86 degrees. That's nine degrees above the normal of 77 degrees. Even though the temperature was warm, it didn't feel as warm due to low humidity. Expect slightly cooler temps for the rest of the week as a weak area of low pressure moves to our north. High temperatures will be at or slightly above normal, while low temperatures will be five to nearly ten degrees above normal the next seven days. Low temperatures are normally in the mid 40s for this time of year, so we'll be well above that. Sunny, dry weather will prevail, with no rain on the horizon. Here is the seven day outlook for Chico from the National Weather Service:

Tonight: Clear, with a low around 56. North northwest wind between 5 and 9 mph.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 82. Northwest wind between 3 and 5 mph.

Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 53. Southeast wind between 5 and 8 mph.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 75. South wind between 3 and 5 mph.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 53. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 77.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 53.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 79.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 53.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 78.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 55.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 78.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 53.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 78.

very warm today

So much for a nice and mild Saturday. The high temperature today in Chico was 86 degrees, seven degrees above the normal of 79 degrees. It was also a bit muggy, with dewpoints hovering around 60 degrees this afternoon. There is a weak disturbance moving through Northern California currently, bringing a very slight chance of showers to the mountains the next 24 hours. This same system has also raised the humidity- hence the muggy conditions today. Temperatures will continue to be warm, in the upper 70s/ lower 80s the next few days, with clear nights and sunny days. The fall colors continue to advance in Chico, with the pistache trees in particular appearing luminous. Hopefully the cooler weather in the coming weeks will further encourage the deciduous trees to show off their true colors. For now, enjoy the warm (but not hot, at least) weather! Here's the detailed forecast for Chico from the National Weather Service:

Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 56. Southeast wind between 6 and 9 mph.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 78. East wind at 7 mph becoming south.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 55. Light north northwest wind.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 82. Northwest wind between 5 and 7 mph.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 55. Calm wind becoming northeast between 4 and 7 mph.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 78.

Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 51.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 74.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 53.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 76.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 52.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 73.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 50.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 75.

cooler weather on tap

Yesterday and today in Chico have seen slightly above average temperatures (yesterday's high in Chico was 81 degrees; today's high so far is 83). However, the low humidity has made the temps very pleasant. We normally see the high temp this time of year right around 80 degrees, so we're not too much off the mark. Tomorrow's high should be even warmer than today, with mid to upper 80s forecast. By Saturday, expect temps to cool into the mid to upper 70s as the high pressure ridge responsible for this current warmth moves eastward. The jet stream will become more zonal in nature, giving us a more Pacific Ocean- influenced air mass (hence the cooler temps). The National Weather Service is hinting at a chance of showers for next Tuesday and Wednesday, but they're not too confident yet to put that chance into the seven day forecast. For now, expect warm and sunny weather the next 24 hours, followed by a slight cool down and continued nice weather for the weekend. For ideas on what to do this weekend, and to check out who won the Best of Chico, peruse the Chico News and Review website under my Links section. Here is the seven day forecast for Chico from those loveable weather geeks at the NWS:

Tonight: Clear, with a low around 57. Light and variable wind.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 84. Northwest wind around 6 mph.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 55. North northwest wind between 3 and 5 mph.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 77. Light and variable wind.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 54. Light and variable wind.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 75.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 54.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 80.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 54.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 74.

Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 51.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 70.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 52.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 72.

the sun returns

After a dreary and foggy start to the day today, the sun peeked out from the clouds late this morning. The temperature responded, jumping from the lower 60s into the upper 70s. Chico received nearly an inch of rain from yesterday's storm, but dry weather returns and will stick around through early next week. A nice warm up is in store, as well, as temps climb into the mid 80s by Thursday. Temperatures will cool slightly for the weekend, but 70s are very nice this time of year, so no complaining from me! More trees in Chico are transforming into their fall finery, especially the Chinese Pistache and sweetgum trees. I just love this time of year- fall colors, cooler weather, football, hayrides, and Halloween decorations. To me, only Christmas exceeds this time of the year. Here is Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service:

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 54. Northwest wind between 3 and 7 mph.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 82. North northwest wind between 7 and 9 mph.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 58. North northwest wind between 5 and 7 mph.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 84. North northeast wind at 5 mph becoming west.

Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 58. South southeast wind at 5 mph becoming east northeast.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 82.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 55.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 76.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 52.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 72.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 50.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 77.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 49.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 75.

rain in the forecast

After another beautiful day in Chico (sunny skies and a nice high temperature of 77 degrees), Monday looks wet and breezy. A potent storm system will move in from the Pacific Ocean tomorrow, bringing with it light to occasionally moderate rain and winds around 15 to 20 mph. Rain tapers to showers tomorrow evening, and the beautiful fall weather returns midweek. Here's the detailed seven day forecast for Chico from the National Weather Service:

Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53. Southeast wind between 5 and 8 mph.

Columbus Day: Rain likely, mainly after 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 68. South southeast wind between 5 and 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Monday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. Southeast wind between 10 and 13 mph. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 75. South southeast wind around 6 mph.

Tuesday Night: Clear, with a low around 52. Calm wind becoming north between 4 and 7 mph.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 81.

Wednesday Night: Clear, with a low around 53.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 83.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 57.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 84.

Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55.

Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 72.

Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 74.

gorgeous fall weather

Yesterday and today have been absolutely spectacular, with highs in the mid 70s and wall-to-wall sunshine. The visibility has been excellent, and you can see some of the snow-dusted peaks of the Coast Range and the Sierra Nevada from Chico. Plus, some of the trees are beginning to show their fall colors. It's just a matter of time before there will be a sea of orange, gold, and red all over Chico. Also, it may be too late to remind people of this, but the annual Parade of Lights is happening right now in downtown Chico. If you're going, bring a jacket or sweater as temps will fall into the lower 60s this evening. Other than a slight chance of rain on Monday, the next seven days look wonderful. Temperatures will warm into the mid 80s by Thursday, but cool back down into the 70s by next weekend. Hopefully we can say goodbye to the 90s for the rest of the year! Here's the detailed forecast for Chico from the National Weather Service:

Tonight: Clear, with a low around 49. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. Calm wind becoming south around 6 mph.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 51. East southeast wind around 6 mph.

Columbus Day: A 20 percent chance of rain after 11am. Partly sunny, with a high near 73. East northeast wind at 7 mph becoming south. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of rain before 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52. Light east wind.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 76.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 54.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 82.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 56.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 83.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 57.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 80.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 55.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 73.

what a storm!

Last night's severe thunderstorm that rolled through Chico around 6 pm was intense. Hail the size of golf balls and quarters rained down on the northern part of the city, while vivid lightning flashed and thunder boomed loudly. The hail was so intense, many trees were partly stripped of their leaves and hail was still covering the ground in some parts of Chico through late morning. There's a Camphor tree right outside my office building, and its leaves littered the ground around the base of the tree. It was a very unusual sight. Rain continued into the morning hours today, but the sun finally began to peek out between the clouds by early this afternoon. Slow clearing should continue the rest of the day, leading to a partly cloudy sky tonight. Radiational cooling will take effect tonight, as skies clear and winds abate. Expect overnight lows to dip into the mid 40s. The rest of the seven day forecast looks fantastic, with clear skies and warming temperatures each day. No storms are on the horizon, giving Chico a chance to recover from the recent stormy weather. Enjoy the gorgeous weather this weekend! Here's the detailed seven day forecast for Chico from the National Weather Service:

Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 44. Light north northwest wind.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 71. Calm wind becoming northwest between 7 and 10 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 48. Light and variable wind.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 75. Light and variable wind.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 51.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 76.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 55.

Columbus Day: Mostly sunny, with a high near 75.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 54.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 77.

Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 55.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 83.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 57.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82.

stormy Wednesday

There is currently a Severe Thunderstorm Warning in effect until 6:15 pm for northwestern Butte County. A severe thunderstorm cell is moving eastward out of Tehama County and into northwestern Butte County at this time. This thunderstorm may produce a weak tornado and stay mainly over sparsely populated rural areas. It has been a stormy 24 hours in Chico. The city has picked up over an inch of rain since yesterday afternoon. The winds weren't nearly as strong as predicted, so there were no power outages. However, despite a mainly dry and sunny morning this morning, the clouds quickly built up and scattered afternoon thunderstorms have been the result. This shower activity will continue into the evening before it begins to calm down after 9pm tonight. Look forward to a beautiful fall weekend, with highs in the 70s both Saturday and Sunday. Here are the details for Chico from the National Weather Service:

Tonight: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 11pm, then showers likely. Some of the storms could produce small hail. Low around 46. Southeast wind between 8 and 11 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 60. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 46. North wind at 5 mph becoming southeast.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 71. Calm wind becoming northwest between 5 and 8 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 51. Light north northwest wind.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 74.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 54.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 76.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 56.

Columbus Day: Mostly sunny, with a high near 75.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 55.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 77.

Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 57.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82.