mainly nice for Labor Day weekend

Man, it was smoky in Chico earlier today before the southerly breeze blew the smoke out of the area. At Chico Airport earlier this morning the visibility was down to three miles due to the smoke. The wildfires to our northeast and northwest continue to burn, but the smoke should not be much of an issue this weekend. A trough of low pressure will swing through the Northstate tomorrow, bringing down the hot temps we've been seeing the past couple of days (96 degrees both yesterday and today in Chico). Highs should only reach the mid to upper 80s tomorrow and Sunday before reaching above 90 degrees Sunday. Temps inch up into the mid 90s by next work week. Low temps should be mainly in the upper 50s to around 60. Have a safe and happy Labor Day weekend! I will be going camping with my husband and our two pugs this weekend, so I will return to blogging on Monday. Til then, have fun! Tonight Clear, with a low around 57. South wind 7 to 11 mph becoming east in the evening. Friday Sunny, with a high near 88. South southeast wind 6 to 10 mph. Friday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 55. Southeast wind 8 to 13 mph. Saturday Sunny, with a high near 87. Light south southwest wind. Saturday Night Clear, with a low around 57. South southeast wind 5 to 7 mph becoming north northeast in the evening. Sunday Sunny, with a high near 92. Sunday Night Clear, with a low around 59. Labor Day Sunny, with a high near 94. Monday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 61. Tuesday Sunny, with a high near 95. Tuesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 60. Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 93. Wednesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 59. Thursday Sunny, with a high near 94.

getting warmer

The past two days in Chico have been fairly typical of what one may encounter for late August- sunny skies and highs in the lower to middle 90s. Those pesky wildfires burning to the northwest and northeast of Chico will give us some smoky, hazy conditions the next few days as daytime temps warm into the middle 90s. A front will pass through the area late this week, bringing no rainfall to the valley but cooling temps down into the 80s both Friday and Saturday. However, highs will warm back into the 90s for Labor Day and the early part of next work (and school) week. Here is Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Today Areas of smoke after 11am. Sunny, with a high near 95. Northwest wind 5 to 7 mph becoming light and variable in the afternoon. Tonight Clear, with a low around 58. South southwest wind around 6 mph becoming light and variable. Thursday Areas of smoke before 11am. Sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Thursday Night Clear, with a low around 56. Southeast wind around 9 mph. Friday Sunny, with a high near 88. South wind around 6 mph. Friday Night Clear, with a low around 54. Saturday Sunny, with a high near 84. Saturday Night Clear, with a low around 58. Sunday Sunny, with a high near 91. Sunday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 59. Labor Day Sunny, with a high near 92. Monday Night Clear, with a low around 61. Tuesday Sunny, with a high near 93.

nice and mild

Both yesterday and today have been nice weatherwise in Chico, with sunny skies and the high temperature yesterday of 91 degrees and today's high at 82 degrees. Winds have been breezy from the south today, generally at 15-20 mph. This has helped keep our temperatures down (normal high for late August is 92 degrees). A low pressure system and accompanying cold front are moving through the Pacific Northwest currently, allowing southerly winds to increase. That's nice for us outside the fire zones, but not so nice for those IN the fire zones. These winds have been making it more difficult today to fight the Chips and Ponderosa fires to the north of Chico. Another benefit with these southerly winds (for Chico, anyway) is that all the smoke from these fires has been blown out of our area. However, once the low pressure system moves to the east, winds may shift to the north, causing some of that smoke to return to our area. I don't know for certain if that will happen, but it's something to keep in mind. The next few days will continue to be dry, with steadily increasing temperatures back into the low to mid 90s. Labor Day weekend looks warm to hot, as well as bone dry. Again, if outdoors this next weekend, please be careful with any grilling or campfires. Better yet, just don't burn outside at all. For now, we all need to get through this next work (and school) week. Speaking of school, tomorrow is the first day of classes at Chico State. Chico should be very busy this upcoming week with the influx of 14,000 students returning. Here is Chico's warm seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Tonight Clear, with a low around 57. Southeast wind 7 to 10 mph. Monday Sunny, with a high near 87. Calm wind becoming south around 6 mph in the afternoon. Monday Night Clear, with a low around 59. South southeast wind around 7 mph becoming east in the evening. Tuesday Sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Tuesday Night Clear, with a low around 59. South wind around 5 mph becoming east in the evening. Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 92. Wednesday Night Clear, with a low around 61. Thursday Sunny, with a high near 92. Thursday Night Clear, with a low around 61. Friday Sunny, with a high near 90. Friday Night Clear, with a low around 59. Saturday Sunny, with a high near 91. Saturday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 61. Sunday Sunny, with a high near 93.

cooler weather for the weekend

I'm back! I've been dealing with an internet service outage for the past several days which has kept me from posting on my blog. It has been solved and now I can resume blogging about my favorite interest- the weather. The cool down we were expecting for this week never really happened as high temperatures have remained in the mid 90s all this week. However, fingers crossed, we will begin to see highs that are actually below normal beginning this weekend. Oh, another thing we've been dealing with this week- smoke from no less than five major fires burning to the north, northwest, and northeast of Chico. Monday was the worst day for the smoke, as it did not lift all day, causing both visibility and air quality problems. The smoky conditions have improved today with an increased southerly flow, which has allowed the smoke from these wildfires to blow off to the north of us. Hopefully (again, fingers crossed) this will persist through the weekend. One major event (well, more like a series of events under one big event) is Chico Pridefest this weekend. From a dance show at the Chico Women's Club tomorrow night, to the annual Chico AIDS Walk Saturday morning, to the Pridefest itself starting at 10 am Saturday, and wrapping up with a pancake brunch at Children's Park Sunday morning, there is much to celebrate in the LGBTQ+ community. I'm really impressed with the relatively small but powerful LGBTQ+ community in Chico; it has grown by leaps and bounds in the ten years I have lived here. I will be at the AIDS Walk and will also attend the Pridefest this weekend. It should be lovely weather for these happenings. Here is Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Tonight Clear, with a low around 61. South southeast wind 5 to 9 mph becoming calm after midnight. Friday Sunny, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Friday Night Clear, with a low around 59. South southeast wind 5 to 8 mph becoming calm after midnight. Saturday Sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Saturday Night Clear, with a low around 58. Southeast wind 8 to 10 mph. Sunday Sunny, with a high near 89. Sunday Night Clear, with a low around 61. Monday Sunny, with a high near 88. Monday Night Clear, with a low around 63. Tuesday Sunny, with a high near 89. Tuesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 62. Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 90. Wednesday Night Clear, with a low around 64. Thursday Sunny, with a high near 92.

cooling off

The high temperatures the past couple of days in Chico have been in the upper 90s (99 degrees both Wednesday and Thursday). That should be the high today, as well, before the Delta breeze finally kicks in this weekend. This will cool off the temperatures a bit (mid 90s instead of upper 90s), and also hopefully blow some of the smoke from these wildfires out of our area. There are numerous forest fires burning across the Northstate, affecting both visibility and air quality in our region the past couple of weeks. Sometimes we simply have to wait until the rains come in the fall to put out these fires. Unfortunately, we often don't see rain until mid October, at the earliest. We often have to live with the smoke when these fires burn. It's just part of living here in the West. I'm glad the temperatures are cooling off to around normal the next several days. Hopefully we can get out and do some fun outdoor activities this weekend! Here is Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: This Afternoon Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 99. South wind around 6 mph. Tonight Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. South southeast wind around 7 mph. Saturday Partly sunny, with a high near 95. Calm wind becoming south 5 to 8 mph in the afternoon. Saturday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. East southeast wind around 9 mph. Sunday Sunny, with a high near 95. Light and variable wind. Sunday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 64. Monday Sunny and hot, with a high near 96. Monday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 64. Tuesday Sunny, with a high near 91. Tuesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 62. Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 90. Wednesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 60. Thursday Sunny, with a high near 91.

the string has been broken

The number of consecutive days at or above 100 degrees for this year stands at six. It ended yesterday as the high temperature at both the airport and the university farm was 99 degrees. We should see one more day over the next seven at or above 100, on Thursday. Otherwise, look for highs mainly in the low to mid 90s through the period. A weak area of low pressure is currently moving through the area, so a slight chance of sprinkles is possible this morning. Looking ahead to next week, the highs should only reach 91-92 degrees in Chico. I was joking with my husband that we're going to need the sweaters and long pants for that! Here is the (less hot) forecast from the National Weather Service: Today Isolated sprinkles before 11am. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 99. Light east southeast wind becoming south southeast 5 to 9 mph in the morning. Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 67. Southeast wind 5 to 8 mph. Thursday Sunny and hot, with a high near 101. Light and variable wind. Thursday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 67. Light and variable wind becoming east around 5 mph after midnight. Friday Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 98. Calm wind becoming west southwest around 6 mph in the afternoon. Friday Night A slight chance of sprinkles. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. Saturday A slight chance of sprinkles. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Saturday Night A slight chance of sprinkles. Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. Sunday Sunny, with a high near 94. Sunday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 62. Monday Sunny, with a high near 91. Monday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 61. Tuesday Sunny, with a high near 92.

this heat is intense

Yesterday's high temperature at the Chico Airport was 108 degrees- by far the hottest day of this year and the hottest we've seen since 2008. Amazingly, it was not a record high temperature, but still hot. Yesterday was also the sixth day in a row of triple digit heat. Expect much of the same today as a strong ridge of high pressure is currently dominating our weather. We may see 100+ degrees through Friday; if this happens, that will make 10 consecutive days of seeing triple digit temperatures, something not achieved since 2006. To add insult to injury, the Chips fire is burning almost out of control to our northeast, bringing us smoky conditions during the morning and early afternoon. What's worse, monsoonal moisture is invading from the south, bringing an increased chance of thunderstorms over the Sierra Nevada mountains today and tomorrow. That could mean lightning strikes, which could cause additional fires. Not good. Just all around bad weather happening right now. I can't wait for fall and the first cooling rain of the season. Here is Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Today Sunny and hot, with a high near 108. Calm wind becoming southwest around 6 mph in the morning. Tonight Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. Light and variable wind becoming southeast 5 to 9 mph after midnight. Wednesday Sunny and hot, with a high near 102. South wind 3 to 7 mph. Wednesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 69. East southeast wind around 6 mph. Thursday Sunny and hot, with a high near 102. Calm wind becoming south southwest around 6 mph in the afternoon. Thursday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 68. Friday Sunny and hot, with a high near 101. Friday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. Saturday Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. Saturday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 65. Sunday Sunny, with a high near 95. Sunday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 64. Monday Sunny, with a high near 91.

smoke and heat

Ah, yes, northern California this time of year is wonderful: the smoke from nearby raging forest fires, the triple digit heat. What's not to love? Seriously, the smoke and heat are becoming tiring. But, it looks like both will stay for awhile as high pressure stays firmly entrenched. Triple digit heat could remain through at least Thursday. If so, it will make eight consecutive days of 100+ degree temperatures. That hasn't happened since July 2006, when we had 11 straight days of triple digit heat. I remember it well; that was the first big weather story I covered in my then fledgling blog. Hard to believe I've had this blog for over six years. I started this blog at Weather Underground, then moved it over to Blogger in 2009 after ongoing technical difficulties at Weather Underground. Anyway, the smoke will also linger as the Chips fire is now over 30,000 acres and growing. It's currently only 8% contained, with full containment not expected until August 31st. Expect smoky conditions in the morning and triple digit heat in the afternoon the next three to five days. A lovely vacation spot, don't you think? Here is Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Today Sunny and hot, with a high near 105. Calm wind becoming south 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon. Tonight Clear, with a low around 62. Southeast wind 3 to 8 mph. Monday Sunny and hot, with a high near 105. Calm wind becoming south southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Monday Night Clear, with a low around 65. South wind around 5 mph becoming light and variable in the evening. Tuesday Sunny and hot, with a high near 105. Calm wind. Tuesday Night Clear, with a low around 62. Wednesday Sunny and hot, with a high near 102. Wednesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 60. Thursday Sunny and hot, with a high near 100. Thursday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 61. Friday Sunny and hot, with a high near 99. Friday Night Clear, with a low around 60. Saturday Sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Oh, I forgot to record yesterday's high temps in Chico: 104 degrees at the Chico Airport and 106 degrees at the Chico State University Farm. It's hot!

hot weather continues into next week

Yesterday was day three of 100+ degree heat in Chico, with the high at Chico Airport at 102, and 104 at the Chico State Farm on the city's south side. It'll be even hotter today and tomorrow, and combined with the smoke from the Chips fire to our northeast, it is not a good time to be outdoors. The weather trend the past few days has been heavy smoke in the morning, and then the air gets mixed up enough due to mid-level winds to blow the smoke out and allow the sun to heat the ground. This, of course, results in triple digit heat between the hours of 3-6 pm. Expect this trend to continue today and tomorrow. Right now the smoke is fairly intense, and the air is pungent with the smell of burning wood. Yuck. Here is Chico's hot seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Today Sunny and hot, with a high near 105. Calm wind becoming south 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon. Tonight Clear, with a low around 63. South wind 5 to 8 mph becoming light and variable after midnight. Sunday Sunny and hot, with a high near 105. Calm wind becoming south southeast 5 to 8 mph in the afternoon. Sunday Night Clear, with a low around 63. Southeast wind 5 to 8 mph. Monday Sunny and hot, with a high near 103. Calm wind. Monday Night Clear, with a low around 62. Tuesday Sunny and hot, with a high near 101. Tuesday Night Clear, with a low around 61. Wednesday Sunny and hot, with a high near 101. Wednesday Night Clear, with a low around 60. Thursday Sunny and hot, with a high near 98. Thursday Night Clear, with a low around 60. Friday Sunny, with a high near 94.

Flex Alert in effect due to heat wave

The State of California has issued a Flex Alert through Sunday for all California residents. This means that residents are urged to keep their home thermostats at 78 degrees when home and 80 degrees when away and not use any major appliances until after 6 pm. Otherwise, brownouts could occur. That would not be good, especially during the middle of the day when temperatures are above 100 degrees. The heat wave continues today- day three of triple digit temperatures. Yesterday's high in Chico was 103, and it looks like we could match or exceed that today in much of the Sacramento Valley. Even the Sierra Nevada mountains will see highs in the 90s today! Speaking of the mountains, the Chips fire has grown to nearly 20,000 acres and is only 10 percent contained. Every morning for the past week, I have been greeted with the smell of smoke when stepping outside. I should get used to it; the fire is not expected to be fully contained until August 31st. Summer in Northern California- gotta love it! Here is Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Today Sunny and hot, with a high near 102. Light and variable wind becoming southwest around 6 mph in the morning. Tonight Clear, with a low around 67. Southeast wind around 6 mph becoming calm after midnight. Saturday Sunny and hot, with a high near 103. Calm wind becoming south 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon. Saturday Night Clear, with a low around 69. Southeast wind around 8 mph. Sunday Sunny and hot, with a high near 103. Calm wind becoming west southwest around 6 mph in the afternoon. Sunday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 66. Monday Sunny and hot, with a high near 101. Monday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 67. Tuesday Sunny and hot, with a high near 100. Tuesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 65. Wednesday Sunny and hot, with a high near 100. Wednesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 65. Thursday Sunny and hot, with a high near 99.

the heat is on

With apologies to Glen Frey. The heat is on, as the high temperature in Chico today reached 100 degrees. Triple digit heat will rule the next five days, with Friday being the hottest day. High temps Friday will range between 105-110 in some parts of the Sacramento Valley. We should cool (cool being a relative term) by early next week as temps dip below 100 degrees next Tuesday through Thursday. Overnight lows won't cool off that much, either- mainly in the mid 60s to low 70s through the period. Here is Chico's specific seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 67. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph. Thursday Sunny and hot, with a high near 102. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph. Thursday Night Clear, with a low around 68. South southwest wind around 6 mph becoming northeast in the evening. Friday Sunny and hot, with a high near 106. Light and variable wind becoming west northwest 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon. Friday Night Clear, with a low around 69. Light and variable wind becoming east northeast around 5 mph after midnight. Saturday Sunny and hot, with a high near 103. Saturday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 66. Sunday Sunny and hot, with a high near 101. Sunday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 66. Monday Sunny and hot, with a high near 101. Monday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 65. Tuesday Sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Tuesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 65. Wednesday Sunny and hot, with a high near 96.

extended period of heat; smoke bothers Chico

The smoke from the Chips fire over 40 miles to our northeast is hovering over Chico and the nearby foothills this morning. It almost looks like fog, it's so thick. The smoke hung over the area yesterday morning, as well, though not as bad as this morning. Fortunately, the smoke cleared out as a southerly flow blew the smoke out of the valley. I hope this happens this morning. Also, expect a long period of hot weather in the upper 90s and 100s through early next week as high pressure exerts control over the area. Right now the hottest day appears to be Saturday, with highs between 104-108 degrees. Ugh! I'm ready for summer to be over and done. Not for awhile, apparently. Smoke and heat- two of my least favorite weather conditions. Here is Chico's forecast from the National Weather Service: Today Sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Calm wind becoming south 5 to 8 mph in the morning. Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 64. South wind 5 to 8 mph becoming light and variable after midnight. Wednesday Sunny and hot, with a high near 98. Calm wind becoming south southwest around 6 mph in the afternoon. Wednesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 64. South wind around 5 mph becoming northeast in the evening. Thursday Sunny and hot, with a high near 101. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon. Thursday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 67. Friday Sunny and hot, with a high near 103. Friday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 67. Saturday Sunny and hot, with a high near 104. Saturday Night Clear, with a low around 67. Sunday Sunny and hot, with a high near 101. Sunday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 68. Monday Sunny and hot, with a high near 100.

get ready for more heat

We've gotten a little break from the heat this weekend as monsoonal moisture, haze and smoke obscured the sun yesterday. Yesterday's high temperature was 89 degrees; today, with the help of a southerly flow of air, the high was only 92 degrees. Today's visibility was much improved over yesterday as that low pressure system (see earlier posts) helped to blow the smoke from the Chips fire away from us. No rain fell in the Chico area yesterday. There have been thunderstorms over both the Coast Range and the Sierra Nevada today, but the valley and Sierra foothills have been sunny all day. The break from the heat ends tomorrow, as mid 90s return. It'll only get hotter as the week progresses, and triple digits will rule Thursday through next Sunday. Summer isn't over yet, obviously. Here is Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 60. Southeast wind 5 to 11 mph. Monday Sunny, with a high near 95. Light and variable wind. Monday Night Clear, with a low around 63. South wind around 5 mph becoming light and variable in the evening. Tuesday Sunny and hot, with a high near 98. Light and variable wind. Tuesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 64. East southeast wind around 5 mph. Wednesday Sunny and hot, with a high near 99. Wednesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 64. Thursday Sunny and hot, with a high near 102. Thursday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 64. Friday Sunny and hot, with a high near 103. Friday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 65. Saturday Sunny and hot, with a high near 102. Saturday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 64. Sunday Sunny and hot, with a high near 100.

chance of thunderstorms for valley and mountains

From the National Weather Service in Sacramento: MONSOONAL MOISTURE MOVING INTO NORTHERN CALIFORNIA WILL COMBINE WITH A WEATHER DISTURBANCE PASSING OVER THE AREA LATER TODAY TO SPARK THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY TONIGHT INTO EARLY SUNDAY. ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED IN THE CENTRAL VALLEY AND SIERRA FOOTHILLS WITH SCATTERED STORMS OVER THE SIERRA...SOUTHERN CASCADES...AND MOUNTAINS WEST OF THE SACRAMENTO VALLEY. ANY THUNDERSTORMS THAT FORM WILL INITIALLY HAVE LITTLE TO NO RAIN...POSING INCREASED FIRE DANGER. GUSTY WINDS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE ALONG WITH BRIEF HEAVY RAIN ONCE PRECIPITATION IS ABLE TO REACH THE GROUND. THUNDERSTORMS WILL DIMINISH ACROSS THE AREA SUNDAY MORNING FROM SOUTHWEST TO NORTHEAST AS DRIER AIR MOVES INTO THE REGION.

Red Flag Warning

This doesn't affect Chico directly, but it does for the nearby communities east of Chico, including Paradise and Magalia. From the National Weather Service: THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SACRAMENTO HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG WARNING FOR THUNDERSTORMS...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 5 PM SATURDAY TO 5 PM PDT SUNDAY. * AFFECTED AREA...FIRE WEATHER ZONE 213 EASTERN PORTION OF SHASTA/TRINITY NF...FIRE WEATHER ZONE 214 BURNEY BASIN AND NORTHEAST PLATEAU IN SHASTA COUNTY INCLUDING NORTHWEST LASSEN NF NORTH OF LASSEN NP AND FIRE WEATHER ZONE 266 NORTHERN SIERRA FOOTHILLS FROM 1000 TO 3000 FT. INCLUDES PORTIONS OF SHASTA- TRINITY AND BUTTE UNITS. * THUNDERSTORMS...SCATTERED HIGH BASED STORMS WITH LIMITED PRECIPITATION OUTSIDE OF THE HEAVIER RAIN CORES. * OUTFLOW WINDS...WINDS LOCALLY GUSTING TO 25 TO 35 MPH WITH 50 MPH DOWNDRAFTS POSSIBLE IN VICINITY OF ANY THUNDERSTORMS. * IMPACTS...LIGHTNING STRIKES WITH DRY FUELS AND LITTLE RAIN RAISE THE POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT FIRE DANGER. 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. The Chips fire northeast of Chico has been burning for the past five days in the Feather River canyon. Smoke from that fire has diminished visibility down to the valley floor. Please be careful and do not do ANY burning outdoors. Be especially careful of flicking lighted cigarette butts out of the car window. Be fire safe!

not much heat relief

Interesting. Looking at current temperatures in Chico, there is a ten degree difference between the Chico State University farm temperature (62 degrees) versus the Chico Municipal Airport temperature (72 degrees). These two weather reporting stations are less than 10 miles apart. Perplexing. Anyway, there is not much heat relief on the way the next several days. High temperatures have been in the upper 90s to 100 degrees the past few days, and that trend looks to continue. Highs today should be around 101, dropping slightly into the mid 90s this weekend. Highs will stay in the mid 90s through much of next week. Well, I guess it could be hotter this time of year, so mid 90s isn't TOO bad. Not too much happening event-wise in Chico this weekend. It's the calm before the storm- students return for classes at Chico State in a couple of weeks, and the town should be super busy at that time. For now, Chico still slumbers. For info on events and happenings, check out the link to the Chico News and Review on the right-hand side of my blog page. Here is Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Today Sunny and hot, with a high near 101. Calm wind becoming south 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon. Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 63. South wind 5 to 8 mph becoming east northeast in the evening. Saturday Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. Light south southeast wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Saturday Night Isolated showers and thunderstorms before 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. Southeast wind 7 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. South wind around 7 mph. Sunday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 61. Monday Sunny, with a high near 94. Monday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 62. Tuesday Sunny, with a high near 93. Tuesday Night Clear, with a low around 61. Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 93. Wednesday Night Clear, with a low around 63. Thursday Sunny and hot, with a high near 96.

heat in full effect

The temperature reached 99 degrees in Chico yesterday, and despite the relatively low humidity, it was still hot. That 99 degree temperature was in the shade, so being in the sun made it feel much hotter. The heat will continue the rest of this work week, abating somewhat by this weekend. It will still be above average through next week, however. Overnight lows will begin to cool, as well. This morning's low in Chico was 70 degrees, eight degrees above the average low for this date. By this weekend, lows should be around the average of 62. Again, if working outdoors, take frequent breaks in the shade and drink plenty of water. Do not leave pets or children inside cars while running errands. The inside temperature in a car left in the sun can get up to 20 degrees warmer than the outside temperature. In other words- it can kill. Just be careful out there. Here is Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Today Sunny and hot, with a high near 101. Calm wind becoming south around 6 mph in the afternoon. Tonight Clear, with a low around 62. South wind around 5 mph becoming light and variable after midnight. Thursday Sunny and hot, with a high near 102. Light and variable wind. Thursday Night Clear, with a low around 64. South wind around 5 mph becoming east northeast in the evening. Friday Sunny and hot, with a high near 99. Calm wind. Friday Night Clear, with a low around 63. Saturday Sunny, with a high near 95. Saturday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 63. Sunday Sunny, with a high near 95. Sunday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 62. Monday Sunny, with a high near 94. Monday Night Clear, with a low around 62. Tuesday Sunny, with a high near 95.