more storminess on the way

This last storm that moved through the Chico area today was not that impressive. It rained moderately hard for about two hours late this morning into early afternoon. However, there was no widespread flooding (though some ponding on Chico streets was observed by moi). Chico received .73 of an inch of rain today, while the highest wind gust was around 30 mph at the airport. This storm was fairly typical of what we see during the late fall and winter. However, a much bigger, more powerful storm is headed straight for Northern California. Another Wind Advisory will go into effect beginning at 10 am tomorrow and lasting until 10 am Friday. Wind gusts to 50 mph, sustained 20-30 mph, will affect the Sacramento Valley and surrounding foothills (Paradise and Magalia). The Flood Watch has now been extended through next Monday afternoon, as yet another storm will invade late Saturday and linger into late Sunday. These storms are tapping into some abundant subtropical moisture from the South Pacific, and the jet stream is steering this moisture and these storms right at us. It's often termed the "Pineapple Express," and it's like a fire hose over 300 miles wide has been aimed right at the West Coast. In other words, we're going to get blasted. To further exacerbate the flood potential, the snow level will be above 7000 feet in the Sierra Nevada, which means most of the precipitation in the mountains will fall as heavy rain. This will cause creeks and streams to flood; these floodwaters will then stream down into the valley, raising mainstem river levels. Not a pretty picture; in fact, a potentially dangerous situation. If you live near a creek, keep an eye out for rising waters this weekend and prepare to move to higher ground. Here is Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Tonight Showers likely, mainly after 4am. Cloudy, with a low around 47. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. Thursday Rain. High near 59. South southeast wind 17 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible. Thursday Night Rain. Low around 48. Breezy, with a southeast wind 24 to 29 mph, with gusts as high as 46 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible. Friday Showers. High near 56. Breezy, with a southeast wind 20 to 26 mph, with gusts as high as 43 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between three quarters and one inch possible. Friday Night Rain. Low around 48. Southeast wind around 16 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Saturday Rain. High near 55. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Saturday Night Rain. Low around 52. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Sunday Rain. Cloudy, with a high near 57. Sunday Night A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42. Monday A slight chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 57. Monday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. Tuesday A slight chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59. Tuesday Night A slight chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. Wednesday A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59.