get ready for the 70s!

And no, I don't mean the decade. High temperatures by the end of this week will reach the middle 70s! That's a good 12 degrees above normal. High pressure will strengthen over Norcal this week, bringing sunny skies and very warm temperatures. Other than a slight chance of showers Saturday night, don't expect a lot of rain the next several days. The long term outlook favors below normal precipitation and above average temperatures over the next three months. Whatever happened to that strong El Nino the weather forecasters were predicting for this winter? In El Nino years, California usually gets inundated with strong storms bringing heavy rain and snow. Not this year. Oh, we had a couple of strong storms last December that caused some localized flooding and minor wind damage. Other than that, it has been very dry this winter. Expect that trend to continue into spring. I fear we may have a very dangerous fire season this summer. Here is Chico's warm seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Today Sunny, with a high near 66. North northwest wind 6 to 9 mph. Tonight Partly cloudy, with a low around 36. North northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 66. Light and variable wind. Wednesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. North wind 3 to 5 mph. Thursday Mostly sunny, with a high near 69. Light and variable wind. Thursday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 40. Friday Sunny, with a high near 73. Friday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 42. Saturday Partly sunny, with a high near 69. Saturday Night A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42. Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 67. Sunday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 40. Monday Sunny, with a high near 69.

breezy weekend

It was a breezy and cool(ish) weekend this weekend in Chico. Yesterday's high temperature was only 58 degrees, with northwesterly winds gusting to 33 mph. Today was warmer and less breezy, with a high temp of 64 degrees and winds from the northwest between 20-25 mph. Winds have died down this evening, and it should be a clear and chilly night tonight, with lows in the upper 30s. The next seven days look about perfect, with sunny skies and daytime highs in the mid 60s to low 70s. Back east, the Rockies and the Plains states are getting hammered with snow and blizzard conditions, while we here in Northern California are basking in the sunshine and mild temperatures. We could sure use more rain. Hopefully we'll get more soon. For now, here is the dry forecast from the National Weather Service: Tonight Partly cloudy, with a low around 38. North wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the evening. Monday Mostly sunny, with a high near 62. Calm wind becoming west northwest 5 to 8 mph in the morning. Monday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 38. North wind 6 to 8 mph. Tuesday Sunny, with a high near 66. North northwest wind around 8 mph. Tuesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 38. North northwest wind 5 to 7 mph becoming light and variable in the evening. Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 64. Wednesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 36. Thursday Sunny, with a high near 69. Thursday Night Clear, with a low around 36. Friday Sunny, with a high near 73. Friday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 40. Saturday Mostly sunny, with a high near 70. Saturday Night A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42. Sunday Partly sunny, with a high near 67.

looks like spring is here

Sorry I haven't been updating my blog very much lately. Life sometimes gets in the way. Besides, the weather has been quiet and uneventful here in Northern California the past few days, unlike other parts of the country. We have been blessed with quiet, mild weather lately. The high temperatures the past few days in Chico have surpassed 60 degrees, with beautiful sunshine and fairly calm winds. I took a walk in Bidwell Park yesterday afternoon, and the weather was stunning, with light southerly winds, blue skies, and temps hovering right around 60 degrees. The fruit trees continue to bloom, while some of the deciduous trees are beginning to bud open at this time. Looking ahead towards the next seven days, spring looks like it's here to stay, with highs ranging from the upper 50s today, to the lower 70s by the end of next week. Unfortunately, no rain or snow is expected, so we may end up having a very dry 2013. Hopefully we can get some good- size storms in here before the rainy season ends in April. For now, get outside and enjoy the spring weather! Here's Chico's seven day outlook from the National Weather Service: Today Mostly sunny, with a high near 58. North northwest wind 8 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 36. North northwest wind 7 to 9 mph. Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 65. North northwest wind 6 to 8 mph. Sunday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. Light and variable wind becoming east around 5 mph in the evening. Monday Mostly sunny, with a high near 62. Light and variable wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the morning. Monday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 37. Tuesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 66. Tuesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 36. Wednesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 66. Wednesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. Thursday Mostly sunny, with a high near 69. Thursday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 39. Friday Sunny, with a high near 71.

active weather

Wow, yesterday was active weatherwise! Snow in Paradise, a report of a tornado around Red Bluff, hail and heavy rain across the area. Some areas saw some of this active weather, other areas saw little to nothing. There was widespread morning showers across the area yesterday morning, amounting to between .10-.25 of an inch. Fortunately, the weather will be much calmer today, but also much cooler than what we've seen the past several days. We're looking at high temps only in the mid 50s today with sunny skies. Temperatures will gradually warm over the next several days, with highs by this weekend climbing into the 60s. There is a chance of rain between Friday night and Saturday morning; otherwise, expect dry weather the next several days. Here's Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Today Patchy fog before 10am. Patchy frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 57. North northwest wind 7 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Tonight Areas of frost after 4am. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 30. North wind around 6 mph. Thursday Areas of frost before 10am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 59. North northwest wind 6 to 10 mph. Thursday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35. North northeast wind around 6 mph. Friday Mostly sunny, with a high near 61. Light and variable wind. Friday Night A 40 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. Saturday A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 57. Saturday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 33. Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 62. Sunday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. Monday Mostly sunny, with a high near 61. Monday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 36. Tuesday Partly sunny, with a high near 63.

turning colder this week

It was a beautiful weekend here in Chico, with both Saturday and Sunday reporting clear blue skies and high temperatures in the mid to upper 60s. Say goodbye to this type of weather, for it is leaving and won't be back for awhile. A cold low pressure system originating in the Gulf of Alaska will drop southward, bringing cold and unsettled weather with it. A Winter Weather Advisory has been posted for the foothills and mountains of the Sierra Nevada, with some elevations as low as 2000 feet expecting to see a few inches of snow late Monday through early Wednesday. Just plain old showers will affect the valley, with the precipitation beginning late tomorrow night. However, there may be a few thunderstorms popping up over some parts of the valley in the colder, unstable atmosphere on Tuesday. Winds will be gusty, as well, with wind speeds from the south up to 25 mph. Wednesday looks dry but cooler, with highs only in the mid 50s. There is a chance of showers Thursday through Sunday, with highs only in the 50s to around 60 degrees. A far cry from the spring-like weather we've been experiencing, no? Here is Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 37. Light and variable wind. Washington's Birthday Partly sunny, with a high near 60. East wind 5 to 8 mph becoming south southeast in the morning. Monday Night Rain, mainly after 4am. Low around 39. Southeast wind 8 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. Tuesday Showers before 10am, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm between 10am and 4pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4pm. High near 51. South southeast wind 11 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. Tuesday Night A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm, then a slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Wednesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 57. Wednesday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. Thursday A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 56. Thursday Night A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. Friday A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 57. Friday Night A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. Saturday A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 58. Saturday Night A slight chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 33. Sunday A slight chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 61.

Special Weather Statement about upcoming cold storm

A COLD WEATHER SYSTEM FROM ALASKA AND BRITISH COLUMBIA IMPACTS THE MOUNTAINS AND FOOTHILLS OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA WITH PRECIPITATION MONDAY NIGHT INTO WEDNESDAY. THE AMOUNT OF PRECIPITATION WITH THIS SYSTEM IS NOT OVERLY SIGNIFICANT. HOWEVER...THE SIGNIFICANCE LIES IN THE LOWERING SNOW LEVELS DOWN TO 2000 TO 2500 FEET BY TUESDAY AFTERNOON. * EXPECT 6 TO 10 INCHES OVER 3000 FEET DURING THE 30 TO 36 HOUR DURATION WITH OVER 12 INCHES PROBABLE OVER LOCALIZED PEAKS SUCH AS LASSEN PEAK. * POTENTIALLY MORE IMPACTFUL SNOW AMOUNTS IN UPPER FOOTHILLS. EXPECT 3 TO 5 INCHES ABOVE 2500 FEET WITH LIGHT ACCUMULATIONS DOWN TO 2000 FEET. * DUE TO THE COLD NATURE OF THE WEATHER SYSTEM...HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS MAY OCCUR AT LOWER ELEVATIONS THAN USUAL AND MAKING DRIVING CHAINS A POSSIBILITY. INTERSTATE 5 IN SHASTA COUNTY MAY EXPERIENCE A COUPLE INCHES OF SNOW ACCUMULATION. THE SAME COLD WEATHER SYSTEM WILL GENERATE RAIN SHOWERS IN THE CENTRAL VALLEY FROM LATE MONDAY NIGHT INTO WEDNESDAY WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR SOME THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY TUESDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING. * GENERALLY 0.25 TO 0.50 INCHES OF PRECIPITATION ARE EXPECTED IN THE VALLEY WITH POTENTIALLY LARGER AMOUNTS WITHIN THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY. * SMALL HAIL AND GUSTY OUTFLOW WINDS ARE EXPECTED BE THE MAIN CONCERNS WITH THESE THUNDERSTORMS.

warm weekend, followed by a chilly week

Wow! The high temperature yesterday at the Chico State University Farm on the south side of town was 74 degrees! On Valentine's Day! The normal high for February 14th is 61 degrees. So, yeah, it was warm. The warmth was aided by those gusty, downsloping, northwesterly winds that were clocking in at speeds of over 25 mph during the afternoon yesterday. The winds won't be quite as fierce today, but with sunshine and mild air already in place, highs will have no problem reaching 70 degrees this afternoon. The weekend looks gorgeous, with sunny skies and highs in the mid to upper 60s. Get out and enjoy the blossoming of the almond orchards outside of town. By Tuesday, however, a change will occur as a cold low pressure system drops south from the Gulf of Alaska. Highs on Tuesday will be 20 degrees colder than they were yesterday! Look for the off-and-on showery weather to continue through next Thursday, with highs only reaching the mid 50s. Overnight lows next week will be around freezing, which doesn't bode well for the almond trees that are blossoming currently. We'll have to see how long this cold snap lasts to know the extent of any damage to the almond trees. For now, enjoy the fantastic weather this weekend! Here's Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Today Sunny, with a high near 69. South wind 6 to 9 mph becoming north northwest in the morning. Tonight Clear, with a low around 39. Northeast wind 3 to 8 mph. Saturday Sunny, with a high near 68. East northeast wind 5 to 7 mph becoming west northwest in the morning. Saturday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 40. North northeast wind 3 to 6 mph. Sunday Sunny, with a high near 66. North northeast wind 6 to 10 mph becoming northwest in the morning. Sunday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. Washington's Birthday Partly sunny, with a high near 60. Monday Night A chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 38. Tuesday Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 54. Tuesday Night A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. Wednesday A chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 57. Wednesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 32. Thursday A slight chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 56.

continued mild, but a change is coming

The mild stretch of 60 degree plus temperatures will continue through this weekend; however, a weather pattern change will occur early next week. Details are scarce at this point, as the various weather computer models do not agree, but a cold and wet pattern looks to set up shop over Northern California and affect our weather for several days. Low snow levels are predicted, but the National Weather Service will not state how low at this early stage. Just keep checking back for updates. Personally, I'm glad the wet weather is returning. I was worried we would end up having another drought situation on our hands. And, we still may, if the wet weather is fleeting. Only time will tell. For now, here is what the NWS is predicting for Chico: Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 39. Calm wind becoming north northeast 5 to 7 mph in the evening. Thursday Sunny, with a high near 69. North northwest wind 7 to 10 mph. Thursday Night Clear, with a low around 40. North wind 5 to 7 mph. Friday Sunny, with a high near 69. North northwest wind around 6 mph. Friday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 39. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming northeast in the evening. Saturday Sunny, with a high near 68. Saturday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 39. Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 65. Sunday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 36. Washington's Birthday Mostly sunny, with a high near 63. Monday Night A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. Tuesday A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 53. Tuesday Night A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. Wednesday A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 56.

high pressure large and in charge

This weekend was gorgeous in Chico, with sunny skies and high temperatures in the low to mid 60s. It was a tad breezy both yesterday and today, with northwesterly winds 15-20 mph. Those winds have died down this evening. It's only going to get better from here, as highs may exceed 70 degrees later this week. There's not a raindrop or snowflake in sight as dry high pressure will dominate our weather. With high pressure, the air sinks, suppressing any cloud formation. Of course, clouds are needed to produce precipitation (which we haven't had much of since December). The flowering trees are beginning to bud, and I'm sure many of them, including the pear, plum, and cherry trees, will bloom this week. Here's Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Tonight Areas of frost after 4am. Otherwise, clear, with a low around 32. North northwest wind 5 to 7 mph. Monday Areas of frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 63. Calm wind becoming north northwest around 6 mph in the afternoon. Monday Night Patchy frost after 4am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 33. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph after midnight. Tuesday Patchy frost before 10am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 62. Calm wind. Tuesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 37. Calm wind becoming north around 6 mph in the evening. Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 66. Wednesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 38. Thursday Sunny, with a high near 70. Thursday Night Clear, with a low around 38. Friday Sunny, with a high near 68. Friday Night Clear, with a low around 39. Saturday Sunny, with a high near 66. Saturday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 66.

wet weather has passed; now on to sunny and mild weather

Chico picked up .29" of rain yesterday, with a high temperature of 54 degrees. There were a few thunderstorms around the area, as well, mainly west of Chico. Snow levels briefly dropped to below 2000 feet as cold air poured in behind the storm late yesterday. This morning's lows in the valley have dipped into the low to mid 30s. Skies should clear later today, with highs only in the mid 50s. It will also be breezy today as the front has passed, causing northerly winds to gust to 25 mph at times. Warm weather lovers, don't fret, because highs will warm into the 60s by Sunday and last through the end of next week. Overnight lows under clear skies will range from the lower to middle 30s. For a comparison, average lows this time of year are around 36 degrees, while the average high is 60 degrees. So, not too far off the mark. If you're a bicycle enthusiast, the weather for the Rice Valley Tandem Rally should be very nice, with a chilly start followed by a mild finish. The weather will be dry for the race, so no need to worry about rain gear. Of course, it's no secret to most people that Chico is crazy about bicycles; in 1997 it was awarded the #1 Best Bike Town honor by Bicycling Magazine. The topography is friendly to bike riding, as it is mostly flat across the city. For those who want a more challenging ride, the foothills are just to the east of town, and I often pass many bicyclists struggling to climb the hill on Highway 32. So, get out and ride your bike this weekend! Here's Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Today A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 55. Northwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 31. North northwest wind 7 to 10 mph. Saturday Sunny, with a high near 58. Northwest wind 6 to 9 mph. Saturday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 32. North wind around 7 mph. Sunday Sunny, with a high near 60. North wind 3 to 6 mph. Sunday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 33. Monday Sunny, with a high near 61. Monday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 32. Tuesday Sunny, with a high near 62. Tuesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 36. Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 64. Wednesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 36. Thursday Sunny, with a high near 62.

perhaps a thunderstorm tomorrow?

After a long dry spell, Chico may see some shower, and possibly thunderstorm, activity tomorrow. This is a colder storm originating from the Gulf of Alaska, so look for much cooler temperatures over the next 24 hours. Today's high will be in the upper 50s with increasing clouds later in the day. Showers begin overnight tonight and continue into tomorrow, with highs on either side of 50 degrees. Dry conditions return for Friday and last through early next week. Temperatures will gradually warm from the mid 50s Friday into the lower 60s by Tuesday. Here are the specifics from the National Weather Service: Today Patchy fog before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 58. Light and variable wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon. Tonight A 30 percent chance of showers after 4am. Increasing clouds, with a low around 37. East southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Thursday A chance of showers, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 10am. Some of the storms could produce small hail. High near 52. Southeast wind 6 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. Thursday Night Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 10pm, then a chance of showers. Some of the storms could produce small hail. Cloudy, with a low around 31. Southeast wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. Friday A slight chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 10am. Partly sunny, with a high near 54. Calm wind becoming west around 6 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Friday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 28. Saturday Sunny, with a high near 58. Saturday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 28. Sunday Sunny, with a high near 59. Sunday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 30. Monday Sunny, with a high near 61. Monday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 33. Tuesday Sunny, with a high near 61.

dry stretch

Today was another warm, spring-like day, with sunny skies and a high temperature in Chico of 69 degrees. That's about ten degrees above the average for February 3rd. The National Weather Service office in Sacramento commented on its website today that the liquid equivalent to this season's snowfall in the Sierra Nevada is around 34 inches. That is actually above normal at this point in the wet season, which runs from October 1st through September 30th. The NWS is forcasting below normal precipitation for the next three months, but above the amount of precipitation we finished with last wet season. We could use some precipitation, regardless. It looks like our best chance for rain is Thursday; until then, the dry stretch of weather will continue. It appears our temperatures will begin to cool off this upcoming week as the high pressure system that has been dominating our weather the past several days begins to weaken. Look for high temperatures in the upper 50s to lower 60s through the middle of this week, then cooling into the mid 50s Thursday and Friday as our next storm moves through. Highs rebound into the upper 50s for next weekend under sunny skies. Overnight lows will range from the upper 20s to mid 30s the next seven days. Here's Chico's detailed forecast from the NWS: Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 36. Light and variable wind. Monday Mostly sunny, with a high near 62. Calm wind. Monday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 40. Light east northeast wind. Tuesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 59. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the morning. Tuesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 35. Light and variable wind becoming north northeast around 6 mph in the evening. Wednesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 59. Wednesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 35. Thursday A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 54. Thursday Night A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. Friday A slight chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 55. Friday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 29. Saturday Sunny, with a high near 59. Saturday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 32. Sunday Sunny, with a high near 59.

abnormally dry

Chico has seen about .80" of rain for January 2013. While not the driest January on record, it will go down as one of the driest Januarys. Normally we would see well over five inches of rain during January, typically our wettest month of the year. How dry will February be? I don't know, but looking at the latest seven day forecast, it is starting off pretty dry. There is very little chance for rain over the next seven days, as strong high pressure continues to hold its grip over California. It's funny how we got dumped on in November and December, but then the "spigot" got turned off once we entered a new year. Hopefully the rain comes back soon; otherwise, we might be facing severe water restrictions and a very bad fire season this summer. Here is the dry and very warm seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 35. North northwest wind 3 to 5 mph. Saturday Sunny, with a high near 63. Northwest wind 3 to 6 mph. Saturday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 37. North wind 5 to 7 mph. Sunday Sunny, with a high near 63. West northwest wind 3 to 5 mph. Sunday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 35. Northwest wind around 6 mph becoming northeast in the evening. Monday Sunny, with a high near 63. Monday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 38. Tuesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 61. Tuesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. Wednesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 61. Wednesday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. Thursday A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56. Thursday Night A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35. Friday A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56. Speaking of warm, today's high temperature in Chico was 68 degrees- ten degrees above the average for February 1st. Some of the trees in town are already beginning to bud. I really hope this is not a sign of climate change- less precipitation and warmer temperatures. However, this might become the new normal.