more storms coming

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SACRAMENTO HAS ISSUED A

* FLOOD WATCH FOR A PORTION OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA...INCLUDING
THE FOLLOWING AREAS...CARQUINEZ STRAIT AND DELTA...CENTRAL
SACRAMENTO VALLEY...CLEAR LAKE/SOUTHERN LAKE COUNTY...
MOTHERLODE...NORTHEAST FOOTHILLS/SACRAMENTO VALLEY...NORTHERN
SACRAMENTO VALLEY...NORTHERN SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY AND SOUTHERN
SACRAMENTO VALLEY.

* TWO STORMS SYSTEMS...THE FIRST TUESDAY NIGHT AND WEDNESDAY AND
SECOND THURSDAY NIGHT AND FRIDAY...WILL BRING PERIODS OF MODERATE
TO HEAVY RAIN.

* HEAVY RAIN WILL LEAD TO RAPID RISES ON SMALL RIVERS AND STREAMS
WITH POTENTIAL THAT SOME OF THE SMALLER STREAMS COULD OVERFLOW
THEIR BANKS. FLOODING OF LOW-LYING AREAS IN BOTH URBAN AND RURAL
LOCATIONS WILL BE POSSIBLE. MUD AND ROCK SLIDES WILL BE POSSIBLE.


PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A FLOOD WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR FLOODING BASED ON
CURRENT FORECASTS.

YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE ALERT FOR POSSIBLE
FLOOD WARNINGS. THOSE LIVING IN AREAS PRONE TO FLOODING SHOULD BE
PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION SHOULD FLOODING DEVELOP.

I just now got the power back on at my house. Just as I (and many folks here in the local area) am getting over one powerful storm, two more are in the pipeline and ready to wreak more havoc on our region. The first arrives tomorrow night and lasts into Wednesday, while the second one moves in on Thursday. Periods of moderate to heavy rain are likely (see Flood Watch above for details), and breezy conditions are also expected, especially Wednesday night and Thursday. Wind gusts up to 40 mph are predicted, which could topple more trees sitting on already saturated ground. Expect more power outages and general disruption, especially if you live near a creek, stream, or the Sacramento River. Chico Creek runs right through the heart of Chico, and it is FULL right now. Any more rain will likely cause it to rise above its banks, and some isolated flooding may be possible in Chico and on the Chico State University campus. Be careful out there, and get ready to hunker down yet again! Here's the detailed forecast for Chico from the National Weather Service:

Tonight: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8pm, then a chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. Southeast wind between 7 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56. South southeast wind between 11 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Tuesday Night: Rain. Low around 46. Southeast wind 9 to 12 mph increasing to between 17 and 20 mph. Winds could gust as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%.

Wednesday: Rain. High near 53. Breezy, with a southeast wind around 24 mph, with gusts as high as 34 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%.

Wednesday Night: Rain. Low around 46. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Thursday: Rain. High near 52. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 100%.

Thursday Night: Showers. Cloudy and breezy, with a low around 44.

Friday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 57.

Friday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45.

Saturday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 54.

Saturday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49.

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

Sunday Night: A chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 44.

Monday: A slight chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 60.