latest on the upcoming storm

From the National Weather Service office in Sacramento:

A SERIES OF COLD FRONTS WILL SWEEP ACROSS NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
NEXT WEEK. TEMPERATURES WILL BEGIN TO COOL THIS WEEKEND AHEAD OF
THE FIRST FRONT...DUE TO ARRIVE MONDAY. RAIN SHOWERS WILL SPREAD
ACROSS THE REGION MONDAY AND MONDAY NIGHT. SNOW LEVELS MAY BRIEFLY
DROP TO AROUND 8500 FEET INCLUDING HIGHER PASSES SUCH AS SONORA
PASS AND THE HIGHWAY 89 SUMMIT AREA NEAR MT. LASSEN BY MONDAY
NIGHT. ONLY A LIGHT DUSTING OF SNOW IS EXPECTED INITIALLY.

A STRONGER COLD FRONT MAY SPREAD PERIODS OF MODERATE TO HEAVY RAIN
ACROSS THE VALLEYS AND FOOTHILLS TUESDAY NIGHT AND WEDNESDAY.
GUSTY SOUTHERLY WINDS MAY ACCOMPANY THIS FRONT. TEMPERATURES WILL
DROP TO 10 TO 20 DEGREES BELOW NORMAL WITH HIGHS ONLY IN THE 60S
IN THE VALLEY AND 40S IN THE MOUNTAINS ON WEDNESDAY. SNOW LEVELS
MAY DROP TO AROUND 5500 FEET LATE WEDNESDAY INTO THURSDAY. THIS
WILL BRING SNOW TO THE TRANS-SIERRA PASSES WEDNESDAY INTO THURSDAY.
WHILE THE EXACT TIMING AND DETAILS OF THIS WEATHER SYSTEM ARE
STILL COMING INTO FOCUS...BE AWARE THAT WINTER TRAVELING
CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED OVER ALL TRANS-SIERRA PASSES WEDNESDAY INTO
THURSDAY.

MOTORISTS SHOULD BE ALERT FOR SLICK ROADS DUE TO THE FIRST RAIN
OF THE SEASON ALONG WITH ACCUMULATED OIL ON THE ROADWAYS. IN
ADDITION...BE PREPARED FOR WINTER-LIKE WEATHER ACROSS THE SIERRA.
RESIDENTS SHOULD ALSO BE PREPARED FOR OTHER IMPACTS OF THE WINDY
WET WEATHER. GUSTY WINDS COULD LEAD TO FALLEN LEAVES CLOGGING UP STORM
DRAINS CAUSING LOCALIZED STREET FLOODING. THERE COULD ALSO BE POWER
OUTAGES SHOULD BRANCHES OR SMALL TREES FALL AND DAMAGE POWER
LINES. SMALL STREAM AND URBAN FLOODING MAY ALSO OCCUR DURING
PERIODS OF MODERATE TO HEAVY RAIN WHICH COULD IMPACT ROAD TRAVEL.

A SHOWERY AND UNSTABLE AIR MASS MAY REMAIN OVER THE REGION
INTO THURSDAY. CONTINUE TO MONITOR NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
FORECASTS AND STATEMENTS FOR UPDATES ON THIS DEVELOPING UNSETTLED
WEATHER.

seriously stormy weather coming

The detailed seven day forecast for Chico seems to downplay the seriousness of this major storm expected to arrive late Tuesday of next week. However, reading the Special Weather Statements from the National Weather Service, there's little doubt this storm is going to be big and impactful. I believe this storm may be a remnant of a typhoon (although I don't know which one; I haven't been keeping track)- hence the likelihood of strong winds and heavy rain beginning Tuesday and lasting into Wednesday. Falling leaves from the strong winds may clog gutters, leading to localized urban flooding. All of the deciduous trees in Chico still have leaves on them, so the heavy weight of snapping and falling branches onto power lines may cause power outages. Heavy, accumulating snow is likely above 7000 feet in the Sierra Nevada mountains initially, falling to around 6000 feet by Wednesday. Travel will be impacted by this storm, so plan accordingly. What a change in the weather we're going to see over the next several days! High temperatures yesterday and today have been in the mid 90s under blazingly sunny skies, but temps will cool into the mid 70s by this weekend. Temperatures will cool even more by next week, with highs only in the lower to mid 60s! Get ready for the first big storm of the rainy season, Chico! Also, I wanted to let you know of some events happening this weekend in Chico. Sir Salman Rushdie will be speaking at Laxson Auditorium this evening. The world famous National Yo-Yo Competition will be held at City Plaza downtown on Saturday. Competitors from all over the world converge on Chico for this annual event. It's a lot of fun to watch. Finally, Artoberfest has kicked off in Chico and Butte County, and some events related to this are happening this weekend. I've added a link to their website on my blog; check it out and see which arts events tickle your fancy. Have a fun and safe weekend, and prepare for stormy weather! Here's the seven day forecast for Chico from the NWS:

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 60. Southeast wind between 5 and 8 mph.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. South wind between 8 and 10 mph.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 57. South southeast wind between 11 and 14 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. South wind around 8 mph.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 54. Southwest wind around 10 mph becoming southeast.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 76.

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

Monday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74.

Monday Night: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52.

Tuesday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69.

Tuesday Night: Rain likely. Cloudy, with a low around 53.

Wednesday: Rain and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a high near 66.

Wednesday Night: Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46.

Thursday: A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 66.

major change in the weather coming?

There seems to b a storm brewing and it may affect us here in the Northstate next week with rain, wind, and snow in the higher elevations. At least that's what the National Weather Service is hinting at around Tuesday of next week. What's more immediate is the drastic change in temperatures. After seeing highs in the mid 80s yesterday and the low 90s today, expect two more days of highs above 90 degrees before much cooler temps begin to influence our weather. We're talking highs only in the 70s for this weekend, and 60s for next week! This forecast is tentative and may change, but expect drastic changes in the weather over the next several days. Another sign of fall- earlier sunsets. The sun now sets before 7 pm. I like it- to me it's a sign of cooler weather ahead and you snuggle up in the evening with the man or woman you love. I know, I'm a hopeless romantic! Here's the detailed seven day forecast for Chico from the National Weather Service:

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 60. Northwest wind between 7 and 10 mph becoming calm.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 92. North northwest wind at 6 mph becoming southwest.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 60. South wind 5 to 8 mph becoming east.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming south around 6 mph.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 60. South southeast wind around 8 mph.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.

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

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 80.

Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57.

Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 73.

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51.

Monday: A chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 73.

Monday Night: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53.

Tuesday: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy and breezy, with a high near 67.

cool and showery day

It was a fairly unusual day weatherwise today in Chico, as it remained overcast for a good portion of the day and temps were stuck in the 60s. A few scattered showers dotted the area, amounting to between a trace of precipitation and about .02". Dry and sunny weather will return tomorrow, and temperatures will warm back into the lower 90s by Tuesday and Wednesday. Another cooldown will affect us by next weekend, with highs in the mid 80s. That's about where we should be for the end of September. Overnight lows through the next seven days will be in the 50s to lower 60s. Right now there is just isolated pockets of fall color in Chico, as some of the pistache trees are beginning to turn yellow and orange. Expect the fall foliage to accelerate in the next few weeks as temps continue to cool and the hours of daylight continue to dwindle. Here is the seven day forecast for Chico from the National Weather Service:

Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 51. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 84. Calm wind becoming northwest between 5 and 8 mph.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 58. North northwest wind between 3 and 7 mph.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 60. North northwest wind between 3 and 6 mph.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 92.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 59.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 92.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 58.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 58.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 86.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 58.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 85.

new link added

I've added a link to Weather Underground displaying current temperature and weather conditions in Chico. I will continue to use the National Weather Service for the official forecasts, but you can also click on the Weather Underground display to compare their forecast to the NWS forecasts. I should have added this to my blog a long time ago!

time for this heat to go

Chico has seen temperatures both yesterday and today in the mid 90s (97 degrees yesterday, 95 degrees currently). We have now seen five consecutive days at or above 90 degrees. Add two more days to that tally, as highs tomorrow will be back in the mid 90s, and around 90 degrees for Saturday. Saturday will be the transition day between the hot weather we've seen and the cooler air we will see. In fact, high temps between Saturday and Sunday will drop nearly 15 degrees! Highs by next work (and school) week will rebound into the mid 80s, but we should stay below 90 degrees through much of next week. Bring on fall! Fall begins tomorrow morning at 2:05 am PDT. Here is the detailed forecast for Chico from the National Weather Service:

Tonight: Clear, with a low around 61. South wind around 6 mph becoming calm.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 95. Calm wind becoming south southwest around 5 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 60. South southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming south around 6 mph.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 57. South southeast wind between 10 and 14 mph.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 77.

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

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 85.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 59.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 90.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 59.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 89.

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

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 87.

hot through the work week

Today was day three of 90 degree plus temperatures in Chico- with a high (so far) of 97 degrees. Yesterday's high was 95, while Sunday's high was 91 degrees. Expect the heat to continue through Friday, with highs stuck in the mid to upper 90s. By Saturday, another trough will swing through to our north, cooling the temperatures down to the mid 80s by Sunday. Nice! I am SO ready for fall! Here is the detailed forecast for Chico from the National Weather Service:

Tonight: Clear, with a low around 62. West northwest wind around 6 mph becoming calm.

Wednesday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 97. North northwest wind at 5 mph becoming west southwest.

Wednesday Night: Clear, with a low around 61. South southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Thursday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Northwest wind around 5 mph.

Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 62. Calm wind becoming north northeast around 6 mph.

Friday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 97.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 61.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 91.

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

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 84.

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

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 85.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 59.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.

the heat returns

Yesterday was the coolest day of this week, with a high temperature of just 83 degrees (normal for this time of year in Chico is 89 degrees). Today we reached normal-89 degrees. I went to the Chico World Music Festival with my hubby and two friends of ours and the weather was quite pleasant around noon. Low humidity and a slight breeze helped to moderate the temps that by then were in the lower 80s. Unfortunately, for those of us (me included) who are ready for some permanent cool weather, we're going to have to wait a little longer. Low to mid 90s will be the temperature trend this upcoming week as the low pressure trough that brought us this briefly refreshing cooler air exits and high pressure re-asserts itself over our area. Low temps will also be above average- mainly in the low to mid 60s (we should be around 58 degrees for the normal low temperature). Here's the still summery forecast for Chico from the National Weather Service:

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 57. West wind at 5 mph becoming northeast.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.

Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 59. West wind at 5 mph becoming north northeast.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 91. North northeast wind around 5 mph becoming west.

Monday Night: Clear, with a low around 61. Calm wind becoming northeast around 6 mph.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 93.

Tuesday Night: Clear, with a low around 62.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 92.

Wednesday Night: Clear, with a low around 62.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 91.

Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 62.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 94.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 94.

cooler temps for this weekend

After highs in the 90s the past two days (yesterday's high temp in Chico was 95; today's high was 92), much cooler temperatures will prevail starting tomorrow. Highs will stay in the lower to middle 80s tomorrow through the weekend as a trough of low pressure moves to our north and ushers in some milder Pacific air. This trough will also push the low pressure area responsible for the recent thunderstorm activity over the mountains away from our area. Last night I witnessed a spectacular lightning show on my front porch from one of those thunderstorms. I wish I had a tripod so I could have taken pics of it. Anyway, this weekend looks gorgeous in Chico- perfect weather for the Chico World Music Festival on the grounds of Chico State University. The festival is a (mainly) outdoor festival showcasing music from all over the world, with live performances by artists of every musical genre imaginable. Both local and world- renowned artists are represented each year. It should be perfect for laying out a blanket under the giant shade trees on campus and soaking in the sounds. Here's the detailed seven day forecast for Chico from the National Weather Service:

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 61. South southeast wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 84. South southeast wind between 3 and 11 mph.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 55. South southeast wind between 7 and 11 mph.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 80. Calm wind becoming south around 6 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 57. Southeast wind around 7 mph.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 84.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 60.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 86.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 59.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 91.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 59.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 92.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 62.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 93.

cooling off

The past two days in Chico have seen drastically cooler temperatures. Yesterday's high temp was just 86 degrees, while today's high was 89 degrees. Meanwhile, the mountains to our east have seen quite a bit of thunderstorm activity the past few days, and that should continue through midweek. If you have plans in the mountains the next few days, keep this in mind and seek shelter if you hear thunder. If you can hear thunder, lightning is close by. Back here in the valley, expect seasonable temperatures the next few days as highs hover right around 90 degrees. There will be a drastic drop in temps by the end of the week- upper 70s to low 80s by Friday! A little tease of some fall weather by Mother Nature. This will be brief, however, as by the end of next weekend we'll be back above 90 degrees. Here is the seven day forecast for Chico from the National Weather Service:

Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. South wind at 6 mph becoming east.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming south southwest around 5 mph.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 62. Southeast wind around 6 mph.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming south southwest around 6 mph.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 61. Southeast wind between 6 and 8 mph.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 89.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 61.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 80.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 61.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 86.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 63.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 91.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 63.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 93.

end of a hot day in Chico

A cool photo of an ominous looking sunset taken about 20 minutes ago from my back porch. It was a hot one today, with a high temperature in Chico of 108 degrees. I think the sunset looks the way it does due to possible smoke from other wildfires burning in other areas; also possibly due to haze and pollution.

very hot today

It has been a very hot day today in Chico, with a high temperature at the airport so far at 106 degrees. The sky today has had a very odd look to it, as a low pressure system has brought more humid and hazy conditions to our area. So far only very isolated thunderstorms have erupted, mainly over the Sierra. There is a slight chance (20%) that the valley could see one of those storms pop up this evening; otherwise, expect warm and muggy conditions overnight tonight. More hot weather is likely tomorrow, but not as hot as today- mainly mid 90s for highs. By Sunday expect cooler temps, as highs peak right around 90 degrees. Forecast highs the rest of the work week next week should remain around 90 degrees. Also, Chico and surrounding areas are still under a Red Flag Warning through tomorrow afternoon for potentially severe fire conditions due to expected dry lightning strikes. Also, the Taste of Chico, an annual event celebrating the many excellent local restaurants we have, is happening in downtown Chico this Sunday. The weather should be fine for this event, so enjoy! Here is the detailed forecast for Chico from the National Weather Service:

Tonight: Isolated thunderstorms before 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. North wind between 7 and 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Saturday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 96. North northwest wind between 5 and 7 mph.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. Southeast wind between 6 and 8 mph.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph.

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. South southeast wind between 6 and 9 mph.

Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 91.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 61.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.

Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 60.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 93.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 60.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 91.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 59.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.

Red Flag Warning in effect for heightened fire danger

A low pressure system now over the interior West will retrograde south and west into our area tomorrow. This will bring an increased chance of thunderstorms to the valley and Sierra Nevada foothills and mountains. Dry lightning may accompany these storms, potentially sparking wildfires tomorrow afternoon through Saturday night. Here is the latest statement from the National Weather Service:

RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 5 AM FRIDAY TO 11 PM PDT
SATURDAY FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR FIRE ZONES 213...
215...216...263...266 AND 279...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SACRAMENTO HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG
WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 5 AM FRIDAY TO 11 PM PDT
SATURDAY.

* AFFECTED AREA: FIRE ZONES 213...215...216... 263...266...AND
279. THESE INCLUDE THE NORTHERN AND CENTRAL SACRAMENTO
VALLEY...THE NORTHEAST SACRAMENTO VALLEY FOOTHILLS... NORTHERN
SHASTA COUNTY...AND THE MENDOCINO MOUNTAINS FROM SOUTHWEST
SHASTA COUNTY TO NORTHERN LAKE COUNTY.

* WIND: NORTH WIND 10 TO 20 MPH WITH LOCAL GUSTS TO 30 MPH WILL
DEVELOP ALONG THE NORTHERN AND WESTERN SACRAMENTO VALLEY AND
ALONG THE MENDOCINO MOUNTAINS EARLY FRIDAY AND CONTINUE THROUGH
SATURDAY. ALONG THE NORTHEAST FOOTHILLS...NORTHEAST WINDS 10 TO
20 MPH WITH HIGHER GUSTS THROUGH CANYONS WILL BE POSSIBLE.

* HUMIDITY: AFTERNOON RELATIVE HUMIDITY WILL BE IN THE SINGLE
DIGITS TO LOWER TEENS. OVERNIGHT HUMIDITY WILL ONLY RECOVER INTO
THE 10S TO AROUND 30 PERCENT.

* IMPACTS: VERY DRY FUELS...GUSTY NORTH WINDS AND VERY DRY
CONDITIONS WITH POOR OVERNIGHT HUMIDITY WILL CREATE POTENTIALLY
DANGEROUS FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS EARLY FRIDAY THROUGH LATE
SATURDAY.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS
ARE EITHER OCCURRING NOW...OR WILL SHORTLY. A COMBINATION OF
STRONG WINDS...LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY...AND WARM TEMPERATURES WILL
CREATE EXPLOSIVE FIRE GROWTH POTENTIAL.

change in the weather coming

Yesterday and today have been hot in Chico, with yesterday's high a scorching 99 degrees, and the current temp (and so far high temperature today) at 97 degrees. Hot weather will persist through the end of the week, with Friday possibly being the hottest day this week. Temps on that day are expected to reach or even surpass 100 degrees. However, a low pressure trough will begin influencing our weather late this week and into this weekend. Isolated thunderstorms will form over the higher elevations of Northern California by Friday, and there is even a slight chance of thunderstorms for some valley locations for Saturday and Sunday. What's more significant is the reduction in temperatures. By Sunday highs will cool down (cool being a relative term) to around 90 degrees- right where Chico should be for the average high temperature for early September. Highs will creep back into the mid 90s by early next week. Here are the details for Chico from the National Weather Service:

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 62. Southeast wind between 3 and 8 mph.

Thursday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Calm wind becoming west around 6 mph.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 67. North northwest wind between 3 and 6 mph.

Friday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 99. North northeast wind between 7 and 9 mph.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. Northeast wind between 8 and 13 mph.

Saturday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 98.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 62.

Sunday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.

Sunday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61.

Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 90.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 61.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 60.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 93.

yearning for fall

I got a small taste of fall this past weekend, as I was camping near the Napa Valley. Overnight temperatures dropped into the mid 50s, and it felt wonderful. It made me yearn for crisp, sunny days and falling yellow and orange leaves- of hay rides and bulky sweatshirts, sipping cider and searching for the perfect pumpkin. It'll happen eventually here in Chico, but I'll have to be a bit patient. While I was camping, the weather here in Chico was fairly typical for this time of year-sunny skies, with highs over the Labor Day weekend mainly in the mid 90s and overnight lows in the lower 60s. That will be our weather for the next several days, as high pressure continues to control our weather. Here are the details from the National Weather Service:

Tonight: Clear, with a low around 61. East southeast wind around 6 mph.

Tuesday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 97. East wind at 6 mph becoming west.

Tuesday Night: Clear, with a low around 63. North northwest wind between 3 and 5 mph.

Wednesday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 96. North northeast wind around 6 mph becoming west southwest.

Wednesday Night: Clear, with a low around 65. South wind around 6 mph becoming northeast.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 94.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 95.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 63.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 92.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 62.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 63.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 93.

hot for the next seven days

After a pretty hot 97 degrees today, I'm ready for some fall- like weather. I'm going to have to wait awhile, as strong high pressure will anchor itself over the west coast of the U.S. the next seven days. Typically many cities in California, particularly along the coast, see some of the hottest weather of the year during the month of September. This year will be no exception. High temps in the upper 90s, and lows in the warm (for this time of year) mid 60s will dominate the weather forecast for the Sacramento Valley over the next several days. I'm sure the fire risk is elevated currently, as we've been dry for over two months. We've also seen fairly gusty north winds today, which are downsloping winds. These downsloping winds heat and dry out the air, so watch where you burn. In fact, I advise to not burn anything at all outdoors. The risk is too great. I'm going camping down in Napa this weekend, so I'll return next week to resume blogging. Have a safe and fun Labor Day weekend! Here's Chico's seven day detailed forecast from the National Weather Service:

Tonight: Clear, with a low around 65. North northwest wind between 3 and 8 mph.

Friday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 97. North northwest wind between 3 and 6 mph.

Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 63. Northwest wind between 3 and 5 mph.

Saturday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 96. Light and variable wind.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 62. South wind at 5 mph becoming north northeast.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 94.

Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 62.

Labor Day: Sunny, with a high near 93.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 62.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 95.

Tuesday Night: Clear, with a low around 61.

Wednesday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 96.

Wednesday Night: Clear, with a low around 62.

Thursday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 98.