remaining calm and dry

Monday's high temperature in Chico was 57 degrees; yesterday's high was 63. Both days saw partly to mostly sunny skies. Today will continue that trend, with mostly sunny skies, light winds, and highs in the mid 60s. It won't be too long before the plum, apple, almond, and cherry trees begin blooming. Allergy sufferers, be prepared! The next chance of rain may be the middle of next week. Until then, enjoy the spring-like weather! Here's Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Today Sunny, with a high near 62. Light and variable wind. Tonight Clear, with a low around 34. Light north northeast wind. Thursday Sunny, with a high near 62. North wind 3 to 5 mph. Thursday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 35. Light and variable wind. Friday Sunny, with a high near 63. North northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the morning. Friday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 34. Saturday Mostly sunny, with a high near 62. Saturday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 64. Sunday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. Monday Mostly sunny, with a high near 63. Monday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 38. Tuesday A slight chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 58.

wonderful weather

I tell ya, it doesn't get much better to have high temperatures in the 60s in January. That's exactly what we're going to get this week as a strong ridge of high pressure dominates California. Highs today will top out in the mid to upper 50s, then a string of 60+ degree days begins tomorrow. Sixty degree highs will last through this weekend (giving us a nice beginning to February). Lows will still be chilly (it IS still winter, you know), mainly in the mid 30s. There is no rain in the forecast, which is troubling. This seems to be the trend the past few years; we will get hammered in December with rain and storms, then hardly any rain in January (supposedly our wettest month on average), then get hammered again in February and March. We'll see if that trend holds this year. For now, enjoy spring in January! Here's Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Today Mostly sunny, with a high near 56. Light north wind becoming north northwest 6 to 11 mph in the morning. Tonight Partly cloudy, with a low around 33. North wind 6 to 9 mph. Tuesday Sunny, with a high near 60. Calm wind becoming northwest around 6 mph in the afternoon. Tuesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 34. Light and variable wind. Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 63. North northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the morning. Wednesday Night Clear, with a low around 36. Thursday Sunny, with a high near 64. Thursday Night Patchy fog after 4am. Otherwise, clear, with a low around 36. Friday Patchy fog before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 64. Friday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 35. Saturday Mostly sunny, with a high near 62. Saturday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 36. Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 62.

not much rain on the horizon

As I've stated in a previous post, January is, on average, Chico's wettest month. However, we've received less than an inch of rain since January 1st. Not much rain is in the seven day forecast, either. However, dense patchy fog has settled over Chico and the Sacramento Valley this morning, prompting a Dense Fog Advisory in effect until 10 am this morning. Otherwise, look for a slight chance of a shower later today under mostly cloudy skies. The rest of the seven day period will include morning fog, followed by mostly sunny skies. High temperatures will moderate from the mid 50s this weekend into the lower 60s by the middle of next week. Overnight lows will be in the low to mid 30s. The annual Snow Goose Festival is currently happening in Chico and surrounding areas. Since the Sacramento Valley is a major stopover for migrating birds on the Great Pacific Flyway, we have hundreds of birds of different varieties hanging out in our area right now. The Snow Goose Festival celebrates this great diversity with bird watching opportunities and even artwork with birds as a theme in some of Chico's art galleries. For full details, check out the Chico News and Review's calendar listings. The festival runs through this weekend. Here is Chico's seven day outlook from the National Weather Service: Today A 30 percent chance of showers. Patchy dense fog before 11am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 57. Calm wind becoming west northwest around 6 mph in the morning. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. Tonight A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37. Light and variable wind becoming north northwest around 6 mph after midnight. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. Sunday A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly before 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 54. North northwest wind 6 to 9 mph. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. Sunday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. North northeast wind 3 to 8 mph. Monday Mostly sunny, with a high near 56. Northwest wind 5 to 9 mph. Monday Night Patchy fog after 5am. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 34. Tuesday Patchy fog before 11am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 60. Tuesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 32. Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 61. Wednesday Night Patchy fog after 5am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 32. Thursday Patchy fog before 11am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 62. Thursday Night Patchy fog after 5am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 35. Friday Patchy fog before 11am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 59.

not so wet weekend after all

Chico received over half an inch of rain from yesterday evening's storm. It wasn't really a storm at all; it was a "rain event." Well, it was more a shower event than a rain event, but you get the picture. Anyway, it looks like this weekend won't be a total washout after all, as the next storm will mainly affect the Pacific Northwest. There will be a slight chance of showers both Saturday and Sunday, but it will be dry overall. High temperatures this weekend should be comfortable, with mid to upper 50s expected. The sun returns in full force by early next week, with highs back around 60 degrees. Overnight lows the next seven days will range from the mid 30s to lower 40s. The cold air is, for now, gone. At least we don't have to experience the extremely cold weather much of the Midwest and Northeast are now dealing with! Some parts of the upper Midwest have been seeing wind chills in the -20 degree range! That's insanely cold! Here's Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Today Isolated showers before 10am. Partly sunny, with a high near 60. Calm wind becoming northwest 5 to 7 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Tonight Partly cloudy, with a low around 38. Calm wind becoming north northeast around 5 mph after midnight. Friday A 20 percent chance of rain after 10am. Partly sunny, with a high near 60. North wind around 5 mph becoming light and variable. Friday Night A 20 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. East southeast wind 3 to 5 mph. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. Saturday A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56. South southeast wind 5 to 7 mph. Saturday Night A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37. Sunday A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 54. Sunday Night A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. Monday A slight chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 54. Monday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 34. Tuesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 58. Tuesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 34. Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 60.

wet weather approaches

After several weeks of dry weather, an abrupt shift in the pattern is expected today. Light rain will begin later this morning and may become moderate at times this afternoon. This is not a major storm with heavy rain and strong wind, but Chico could still see up to half an inch of rain from this one. Snow levels in the mountains will generally be around 5000 feet, with some local snow levels in the northern Coastal Range down to 4500 feet. This storm will move out by tonight, with dry conditions tomorrow and Friday. Another storm, with colder air, will bring more showers and lower snow levels this weekend. Stay tuned for more info on that as we get closer to the weekend. Here is Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Today Rain, mainly after 10am. High near 53. Calm wind becoming south southeast around 5 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Tonight Showers, mainly before 4am. Low around 39. East southeast wind 6 to 11 mph becoming light and variable after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Thursday A 20 percent chance of showers before 10am. Partly sunny, with a high near 59. Calm wind becoming northwest 5 to 8 mph in the morning. Thursday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 38. Light north northeast wind. Friday A 20 percent chance of rain after 10am. Partly sunny, with a high near 57. North northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the morning. Friday Night Isolated showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Saturday A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56. Saturday Night A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. Sunday A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 54. Sunday Night A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. Monday A slight chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 54. Monday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 32. Tuesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 57.

continued mild for January; possible rain next weekend

This weekend's weather in Chico was more representative of early March than mid-January. High temperatures both yesterday and today were in the mid 60s, while morning lows were just below freezing. The mild, slightly above average temperatures will continue for much of this upcoming work week. There is a slight chance (20%) of rain on Wednesday; otherwise, it will be dry through Friday. The next chance of some decent rain will be late Saturday into early Sunday. That's still a ways off, but keep your fingers crossed that we will receive our first significant precipitation this year. For now, enjoy the frosty, cold mornings and mild, sunny afternoons. Here's Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Tonight Areas of frost after 4am. Otherwise, clear, with a low around 29. Northeast wind around 7 mph. M.L.King Day Areas of frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 62. Northeast wind 5 to 7 mph becoming calm in the morning. Monday Night Areas of frost after 4am. Otherwise, clear, with a low around 31. Northeast wind 5 to 7 mph. Tuesday Areas of frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 59. Northeast wind 5 to 7 mph becoming calm in the morning. Tuesday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37. Light and variable wind. Wednesday A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59. Wednesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 35. Thursday Sunny, with a high near 62. Thursday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 32. Friday Mostly sunny, with a high near 62. Friday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. Saturday A slight chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 58. Saturday Night A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. Sunday A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 52.

staying mild... chance of rain next week?

Wow! The Chico State University Farm on the south side of Chico recorded a high temperature of 65 degrees today. It was a beautiful day today, with spring-like temperatures and sunny skies. Expect the weather to remain mild for the next several days, with dry conditions and daytime highs ranging from the upper 50s to lower 60s. There may be some patchy morning fog in some valley locations; otherwise, expect mostly sunny skies through early next week. It'll be perfect weather to honor Martin Luther King, Jr by volunteering for the Day of Service this weekend. By the middle of next week, a quick-moving cold front may skirt by our area, which may bring us a slight chance of a shower. Another slight chance for showers may occur next Friday. Overnight lows will still be cold the next several nights- mainly upper 20s to lower 30s. It is still winter, after all. Here is Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Tonight Patchy fog after 4am. Patchy frost after 10pm. Otherwise, clear, with a low around 28. Northeast wind around 7 mph. Saturday Patchy fog before 10am. Areas of frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 57. Northeast wind 5 to 7 mph becoming calm in the morning. Saturday Night Patchy fog after 4am. Areas of frost after 4am. Otherwise, clear, with a low around 28. Northeast wind around 7 mph. Sunday Patchy fog before 10am. Areas of frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 58. Northeast wind 5 to 7 mph becoming calm in the morning. Sunday Night Patchy fog after 4am. Areas of frost after 4am. Otherwise, clear, with a low around 29. Northeast wind 3 to 7 mph. M.L.King Day Patchy fog before 10am. Areas of frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 58. Monday Night Clear, with a low around 31. Tuesday Sunny, with a high near 58. Tuesday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. Wednesday A slight chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 55. Wednesday Night A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37. Thursday Mostly sunny, with a high near 57. Thursday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 35. Friday A slight chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 57.

warming up... finally

This bout of cold weather (well, cold for us here in Northern California) has been stubborn to leave. The low temperatures the past four days have been dipping into the mid 20s, while highs have struggled to get past 50 degrees (normals for mid January are 55 and 36 for the high and low respectively). However, it appears milder air from the Pacific will attempt to scour out the cold air that has been plaguing us lately. High temperatures the next seven days will be in the mid to upper 50s, while overnight lows will warm into the lower to middle 30s. No rain is in the forecast, so sunshine and blue skies will prevail over our area through the beginning of next week. It's not uncommon to see a long stretch of dry weather in January, despite it being our wettest month on average. Hopefully we'll get more rain (and snow for the mountains) soon. For now, here is the sunny and milder seven day forecast for Chico from the National Weather Service: Today Areas of frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 55. North wind around 6 mph. Tonight Areas of frost after 4am. Otherwise, clear, with a low around 28. Light north wind. Thursday Areas of frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 57. North northwest wind around 5 mph. Thursday Night Areas of frost after 4am. Otherwise, clear, with a low around 30. North wind 3 to 5 mph. Friday Areas of frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 59. Light north northwest wind. Friday Night Clear, with a low around 31. Saturday Sunny, with a high near 59. Saturday Night Clear, with a low around 30. Sunday Sunny, with a high near 59. Sunday Night Clear, with a low around 33. M.L.King Day Sunny, with a high near 57. Monday Night Clear, with a low around 33. Tuesday Sunny, with a high near 55.

another hard freeze

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SACRAMENTO HAS ISSUED A HARD FREEZE WARNING FOR THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN SACRAMENTO VALLEY... DELTA AND NORTHERN SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM TO 9 AM PST MONDAY. * TEMPERATURES: MINIMUM TEMPERATURES WILL RANGE FROM THE UPPER TEENS TO UPPER 20S WITH THE COLDEST READINGS EXPECTED ALONG THE EAST SIDE OF THE VALLEY. DURATIONS BELOW 28 DEGREES OF 3 TO 6 HOURS ARE LIKELY. * TIMING: LATE TONIGHT AND MONDAY MORNING. * LOCATIONS INCLUDE: CHICO...YUBA CITY...SACRAMENTO...FAIRFIELD... STOCKTON...MODESTO. * IMPACTS: LONG DURATIONS BELOW FREEZING WILL KILL UNPROTECTED FREEZE SENSITIVE VEGETATION. EXPOSED WATER PIPES COULD BURST. PETS AND LIVESTOCK FEEL THE EXTREME COLD AS WELL. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A HARD FREEZE WARNING MEANS SUB-FREEZING TEMPERATURES ARE IMMINENT OR HIGHLY LIKELY. THESE CONDITIONS WILL KILL CROPS AND OTHER SENSITIVE VEGETATION. By midweek we should see both highs and lows closer to normal (55 degrees for the normal high and 35 for the normal low). Sunshine will rule during the day, while starry skies will dominate during the night the next seven days. No storms are on the horizon. Have a good week!

Hard Freeze Warning for early tomorrow

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SACRAMENTO HAS ISSUED A HARD FREEZE WARNING FOR THE SACRAMENTO VALLEY... DELTA AND NORTHERN SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY... WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM TO 9 AM PST SUNDAY. * TEMPERATURES: MINIMUM TEMPERATURES WILL RANGE FROM THE UPPER TEENS IN COLDEST AREAS OF THE VALLEY TO UPPER 20S IN LARGE URBAN AREAS. DURATIONS BELOW 28 DEGREES OF 3 TO 6 HOURS ARE LIKELY. * TIMING: LATE TONIGHT AND SUNDAY MORNING. * LOCATIONS INCLUDE: REDDING... CHICO... YUBA CITY... SACRAMENTO... VACAVILLE... FAIRFIELD... STOCKTON... MODESTO. * IMPACTS: LONG DURATIONS BELOW FREEZING WILL KILL UNPROTECTED FREEZE SENSITIVE VEGETATION. EXPOSED WATER PIPES COULD BURST. PETS AND LIVESTOCK FEEL THE EXTREME COLD AS WELL. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A HARD FREEZE WARNING MEANS SUB-FREEZING TEMPERATURES ARE IMMINENT OR HIGHLY LIKELY. THESE CONDITIONS WILL KILL CROPS AND OTHER SENSITIVE VEGETATION.

cold

The low temperature in Chico this morning was 28 degrees. The normal low for this date is 36 degrees. Yeah, it's cold outside! The cold will linger for the next several days as cold high pressure from the Gulf of Alaska exerts control over our weather. It'll be sunny, but highs will struggle to get above 50 degrees (normal high is around 56 degrees), while lows will dip into the mid 20s to low 30s the next seven days. Again, cover the outdoor plants, put a drip on the faucet, and make sure the pets are inside. I know there may be some who see this weather blog who live in much colder climates and scoff, but for us here in Northern California, this is cold! Here is Chico's chilly forecast from the National Weather Service: Tonight Areas of frost after 10pm. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 26. North wind around 7 mph. Saturday Areas of frost before 10am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 48. Northwest wind 3 to 7 mph. Saturday Night Areas of frost after 10pm. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 26. North wind around 5 mph. Sunday Areas of frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 48. North northeast wind around 5 mph becoming light and variable in the morning. Sunday Night Areas of frost after 10pm. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 28. Light and variable wind. Monday Areas of frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 50. Monday Night Clear, with a low around 31. Tuesday Sunny, with a high near 54. Tuesday Night Clear, with a low around 34. Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 55. Wednesday Night Clear, with a low around 34. Thursday Sunny, with a high near 54. Thursday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 35. Friday Sunny, with a high near 54.

update on cold air and possible snow showers

From the National Weather Service: A COLD GULF OF ALASKA STORM WILL MOVE INTO INTERIOR NORTHERN CALIFORNIA TONIGHT INTO THURSDAY BRINGING SOME PRECIPITATION. THIS WILL BRING SOME RAIN TO THE VALLEY WITH SNOW IN THE MOUNTAINS AND INTO THE FOOTHILLS. THE HEAVIEST PRECIPITATION IS EXPECTED AS THE MAIN COLD FRONT PUSHES THROUGH THIS EVENING. SHOWERS WILL CONTINUE INTO THURSDAY. THIS SYSTEM DOES NOT HAVE A STRONG MOISTURE TAP SO PRECIPITATION AMOUNT WILL BE RELATIVELY LIMITED. LIGHT SNOWFALL AMOUNTS FROM A TRACE TO AROUND AN INCH ARE POSSIBLE IN THE FOOTHILLS STARTING LATE THIS EVENING THROUGH THURSDAY. SNOW LEVELS MAY EVEN DROP DOWN TO AROUND 500 FEET IN THE NORTHERN SACRAMENTO VALLEY THURSDAY MORNING BUT LITTLE TO NO ACCUMULATION IS EXPECTED. PRECIPITATION AMOUNTS ARE EXPECTED TO BE AROUND A TENTH TO A QUARTER OF AN INCH IN THE VALLEY NORTH OF INTERSTATE 80 AND LESS THAN A TENTH OF AN INCH AROUND SACRAMENTO...THE DELTA...AND THE NORTHERN SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY. CLEARING SKIES THURSDAY NIGHT WILL MAKE FOR A CHILLY MORNING FRIDAY. TEMPERATURES FRIDAY MORNING WILL BE ABOUT 5 TO 15 DEGREES BELOW NORMAL WITH TEENS AND SINGLE DIGITS IN THE MOUNTAINS AND THE UPPER 20S AND LOWER 30S IN THE VALLEY. THE COOL TEMPERATURES COMBINED WITH SOME BREEZY NORTH WINDS WILL MAKE IT FEEL EVEN COLDER. PERSONS TRAVELING TONIGHT AND THURSDAY MAY ENCOUNTER TRAVEL DELAYS FROM SLIPPERY ROAD. ALLOW EXTRA TIME TO REACH YOUR DESTINATION AND CHECK THE LATEST WEATHER AND ROAD REPORTS BEFORE DEPARTURE. So, don't expect any significant snow accumulations in the foothills tonight and into tomorrow. However, do prepare for the cold temps by covering any tender vegetation or bringing outdoor potted plants indoors. Also, bring your pets indoors as they are susceptible to the cold. This cold weather will last into next week, with highs barely getting above 50 degrees and lows dipping into the upper 20s to low 30s. Brrr!!

colder air coming

From the National Weather Service: A COLD GULF OF ALASKA STORM WILL MOVE INTO INTERIOR NORTHERN CALIFORNIA TODAY INTO THURSDAY. THIS WILL BRING SOME RAIN TO THE VALLEY WITH SNOW IN THE MOUNTAINS AND INTO THE FOOTHILLS. THIS SYSTEM DOES NOT HAVE A STRONG MOISTURE TAP SO PRECIPITATION WILL BE RELATIVELY LIMITED. PRECIPITATION IS FORECAST TO DEVELOP OVER THE COASTAL MOUNTAINS THIS MORNING THEN SPREAD OVER THE ENTIRE AREA BY THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. THE HEAVIEST PRECIPITATION IS EXPECTED AS THE MAIN COLD FRONT PUSHES THROUGH THIS EVENING. SHOWERS WILL CONTINUE INTO THURSDAY WITH A FEW LINGERING SHOWERS POSSIBLE OVER THE SIERRA INTO EARLY FRIDAY. TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS UP TO 5 INCHES ARE FORECAST FOR THE HIGHER MOUNTAINS THROUGH THURSDAY EVENING. LIGHT SNOWFALL AMOUNTS FROM A TRACE TO AROUND AN INCH ARE POSSIBLE IN THE FOOTHILLS STARTING LATE THIS EVENING THROUGH THURSDAY. RAINFALL AMOUNTS IN THE VALLEY GENERALLY WILL RANGE FROM A TRACE IN THE SOUTH TO A QUARTER OF AN INCH OR LESS OVER THE NORTH. SNOW LEVELS ARE FORECAST TO INITIALLY BE AROUND 3500 FEET OVER THE SHASTA AND COASTAL MOUNTAINS THIS AFTERNOON...THEN LOWER TO AROUND 1000 TO 1500 FEET TONIGHT AND AS LOW AS 800 FEET BY THURSDAY. OVER THE SIERRA NEVADA...SNOW LEVELS WILL DROP FROM 4000 FEET THIS EVENING TO AROUND 1500 FEET BY THURSDAY MORNING. GUSTY WEST WIND IS LIKELY OVER HIGHER MOUNTAIN RIDGES WITH LOCAL GUSTS OVER 50 MPH POSSIBLE AT THE HIGHEST ELEVATIONS. CLEARING SKIES THURSDAY NIGHT WILL MAKE FOR A CHILLY MORNING FRIDAY. TEMPERATURES FRIDAY MORNING WILL BE WELL BELOW AVERAGE WITH TEENS AND SINGLE DIGITS IN THE MOUNTAINS AND THE UPPER 20S AND LOWER 30S IN THE VALLEY. THE COOL TEMPERATURES COMBINED WITH SOME BREEZY NORTH WINDS WILL MAKE IT FEEL EVEN COLDER. PERSONS TRAVELING INTO THE MOUNTAINS TONIGHT AND THURSDAY MAY ENCOUNTER TRAVEL DELAYS FROM SLIPPERY ROADS AND POOR VISIBILITY. ALLOW EXTRA TIME TO REACH YOUR DESTINATION AND CHECK THE LATEST WEATHER AND ROAD REPORTS BEFORE DEPARTURE.

rain likely for tomorrow

Today will be quite mild, as high pressure dominates ahead of a cold front set to arrive tomorrow. Highs in Chico today should top out in the lower 60s. We haven't been this warm in at leat a month! However, due to the aforementioned cold front, this warmth is only temporary. Rain will enter the picture tomorrow, although not much will fall. The bigger issue with this front will be the colder air behind it, which is originating from the Gulf of Alaska. Highs will drop into the lower 50s tomorrow through next Monday, while overnight lows will dip into the 20s to low 30s. Snow levels could plunge to 1000 feet in the northern Sierra Nevada foothills by late tomorrow night into Thursday morning. There is very little moisture with this cold front, so snow accumulations are expected to be very light. I'll attempt to keep you posted on this developing weather story. For now, here's the latest forecast for Chico from the National Weather Service: Today Patchy fog before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 62. Light and variable wind. Tonight Increasing clouds, with a low around 45. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph after midnight. Wednesday Rain likely, mainly after 4pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 53. South southeast wind 7 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. Wednesday Night Showers likely, mainly before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30. Northwest wind 3 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. Thursday A 20 percent chance of showers after 10am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 49. Light west northwest wind becoming northwest 8 to 13 mph in the morning. Thursday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 26. Friday Sunny, with a high near 50. Friday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 30. Saturday Mostly sunny, with a high near 50. Saturday Night A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. Sunday A slight chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 52. Sunday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 34. Monday Mostly sunny, with a high near 52.

quiet weather for January

Normally January is Chico's wettest month, when a little over 5 and a half inches of rain accumulates during the month. However, it has been largely a quiet month this year, devoid of any big storms. Chico did receive some rain overnight last night into early this morning, accumulating nearly a quarter of an inch in the rain bucket. Other than a chance of showers Wednesday, no rain is in the forecast the next seven days as high pressure takes over our area. High temperatures tomorrow and Tuesday should be right around 60 degrees (nice!); highs for the middle and end of this week will trend downward into the lower 50s. Overnight lows will range from the upper 30s tonight through Tuesday night, and then drop to around freezing the rest of this week. It looks like colder air will filter in behind Wednesday's cold front. It is still winter, of course. Here's Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Tonight Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph after midnight. Monday Mostly sunny, with a high near 59. Light and variable wind. Monday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 39. Light and variable wind becoming north around 5 mph in the evening. Tuesday Sunny, with a high near 60. Light and variable wind. Tuesday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the evening. Wednesday A 40 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 52. Wednesday Night A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35. Thursday A slight chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 50. Thursday Night A slight chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 32. Friday Mostly sunny, with a high near 51. Friday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 32. Saturday Mostly sunny, with a high near 52. Saturday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 33. Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 52.

a change in the weather

Just two days ago the forcasters at the National Weather Service were predicting dry weather through next week. Wrong! There is a weak storm system moving towards our area, and should arrive (perfect timing) this weekend. Most of the rain should hold off until after dark Saturday night, so, if you have any outdoor plans on Saturday, I would not cancel them. Showers will linger into Sunday. All told, up to a half an inch of rain may fall in the valley, while 4-5 inches of snow will accumulate in the mountains above 3000 feet. The storm will exit by Sunday afternoon, leaving mainly dry and sunny weather for the rest of next week. High temperatures the next seven days will be in the low to mid 50s (right where we should be for early January), while lows will range from the mid to upper 30s. Here are the details for Chico from the National Weather Service: Today Patchy frost before 10am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 52. Northeast wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the morning. Tonight Partly cloudy, with a low around 35. Calm wind becoming northeast around 6 mph after midnight. Saturday Partly sunny, with a high near 52. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the morning. Saturday Night Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. Sunday A 40 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 52. Calm wind becoming southeast 5 to 8 mph in the morning. Sunday Night A 40 percent chance of showers, mainly before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. Monday Mostly sunny, with a high near 55. Monday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. Tuesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 53. Tuesday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. Wednesday Partly sunny, with a high near 53. Wednesday Night A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. Thursday Partly sunny, with a high near 52.

nice and dry

It has been chilly this morning in Chico, with the airport reporting a low of 32 degrees, while the university farm south of town logged a low of 26 degrees! Brrr! Look for dry and sunny conditions the rest of the week, along with a slow warming trend. Lows temps will warm from the mid 20s into the mid 30s by next week; highs will moderate from the low 50s into the mid and even upper 50s by this weekend. No rain is expected through the middle of next week. Here is Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Today Areas of frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 54. Northeast wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the morning. Tonight Widespread frost, mainly after 4am. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 24. Northeast wind around 6 mph. Thursday Widespread frost before 10am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 53. North northeast wind around 5 mph becoming light and variable in the morning. Thursday Night Patchy frost after 10pm. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 25. Calm wind becoming north northeast 5 to 7 mph in the evening. Friday Areas of frost before 10am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 52. North northeast wind 3 to 6 mph. Friday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 29. Saturday Partly sunny, with a high near 52. Saturday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37. Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 54. Sunday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 34. Monday Mostly sunny, with a high near 55. Monday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. Tuesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 55.