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.