the sun returns

After the National Weather Service predicted Chico could see up to nine-tenths of an inch of rain with this storm, we received- drum roll, please- three tenths of an inch (.30"). However, this is the most precipitation Chico has received since December 8, 2013. Unfortunately, it will be all we get for awhile, as high pressure returns and sticks around for the foreseeable future. Expect sunny skies after some scattered showers this morning, with highs in the upper 50s today through Saturday. Sunday through Wednesday high temps will warm into the low and middle 60s under sunny skies. Overnight lows will range from the upper 20s to low 30s. I read an article this morning stating that 17 communities in California will run out of water completely within 60-120 days due to this extreme drought. This is how serious the drought has become, and it looks like no real relief is in sight. It's going to be a long, tough summer ahead. Here's Chico's seven day forecast from the NWS: Today Scattered showers, mainly before 10am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 60. Calm wind becoming west northwest around 5 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 40%. 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 36. Calm wind. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. Friday Mostly sunny, with a high near 58. West northwest wind 3 to 6 mph. Friday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 29. North northeast wind 3 to 5 mph. Saturday Sunny, with a high near 59. Calm wind. Saturday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 29. Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 60. Sunday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 30. Monday Mostly sunny, with a high near 63. Monday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 31. Tuesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 65. Tuesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 31. Wednesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 66.

rain today and tomorrow, followed by another dry stretch

Rain is in the forecast today and tonight, tapering to showers by tomorrow for most of Northern California. The wind may pick up, becoming breezy at times from the south today as the front approaches. This is a very mild storm, so expect temperatures above average today. Snow levels will be above 6000 feet with this storm. A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect above 6000 feet from this afternoon through 4am Friday morning; a Winter Storm Warning is in effect above 7500 feet from this afternoon through 4am Friday. Up to a foot of snow is possible above 7500 feet; up to six inches above 6000 feet. By Friday, expect dry conditions and seasonal temps, mainly in the upper 50s. Same story for Saturday, while Sunday highs will reach above 60 degrees. The dry stretch will continue into the middle of next week. Again, I'm thankful for this storm, but we'll need several storms to get us back to near normal precipitation-wise. Here's Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Today Rain, mainly after 11am. High near 62. Southeast wind 5 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Tonight Showers. Low around 45. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Thursday A 50 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 57. Southeast wind 3 to 8 mph. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. Thursday Night A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. Light and variable wind. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. Friday Partly sunny, with a high near 58. Light and variable wind. Friday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 31. Saturday Mostly sunny, with a high near 59. Saturday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 30. Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 61. Sunday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 30. Monday Sunny, with a high near 64. Monday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 31. Tuesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 66.

cooler temps this week, along with a decent shot at rain

Yesterday's high temperature at the Chico Airport was 69 degrees, just one degree shy of tying the record of 70 degrees for the date. However, at the Chico State Farm, the high was 72 degrees, breaking the record for the date by two degrees. I tend to go by the airport, as that is an official National Weather Service reporting station. Expect cooler temperatures this week, starting with today. A weak storm is making its way toward the Northstate, giving us some mid and high level cloudiness today. Cooler high temps in the mid 60s will result from the increasing cloudiness. A slight chance of rain is anticipated tonight into tomorrow. A more powerful storm will affect us beginning late Wednesday and will linger into Thursday. As much as a half an inch of rain is forecast for Chico, with over an inch in the mountains. This appears to be a mild storm, so expect higher snow levels- probably above 5000 feet. Once this storm passes, sunshine returns for Friday and into the weekend. Temperatures will be markedly cooler, with highs in the upper 50s. That is exactly where we should be for the final days of January. Hopefully more rain is in the forecast after this next storm. Here is the seven day forecast for Chico from the National Weather Service: Today Partly sunny, with a high near 66. Calm wind. Tonight A 20 percent chance of rain after 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43. Calm wind. Tuesday A 20 percent chance of rain before 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 67. Light and variable wind. Tuesday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. Calm wind. Wednesday A 30 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 65. Southeast wind 6 to 10 mph. Wednesday Night Rain likely. Cloudy, with a low around 44. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Thursday A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62. Thursday Night A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35. Friday A slight chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 57. Friday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37. Saturday Mostly sunny, with a high near 58. Saturday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 32. Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 61.

cooling off

Well, we did it again yesterday. Chico registered another high temperature record- 75 degrees at the Chico Airport, smashing the old record of 70 degrees set 30 years ago. We will probably hit another record high today, as it is forecasted to be 73 degrees. The record high for today is 70 degrees, set way back in 1934. Near record highs in the lower 70s through Wednesday will give way to cooler highs in the upper 50s by Thursday, Friday and Saturday. This intense area of high pressure, which has been dominating our weather since at least last October, is finally beginning to break down, allowing cooler and wetter weather conditions to replace it. At least that is the hope, anyway. We have at least a chance of rain and showers Thursday through next Saturday, so fingers crossed that we get some much needed precipitation. Overnight lows will range from the mid 30s to lower 40s through the forecast period. Here is the seven day forecast for Chico from the National Weather Service: Today Sunny, with a high near 73. Northeast wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the morning. Tonight Patchy frost after 4am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 35. Light northeast wind. Monday Patchy frost before 10am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 70. Calm wind becoming west southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Monday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. West wind around 5 mph becoming light and variable in the evening. Tuesday Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71. Light and variable wind. Tuesday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42. Wednesday Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71. Wednesday Night A slight chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. Thursday A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59. Thursday Night A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. Friday A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 58. Friday Night A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37. Saturday A slight chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 59.

perhaps a slight chance of rain by next Thursday?

Perhaps. First, a review of the high temperatures the past three days in Chico and how they compare with the records for those dates. At the Chico State University Farm on Wednesday, January 22nd, the high was 71 degrees, while at the Chico Airport, the high was 68 degrees. Neither of those temperatures broke the record for that date of 75 degrees set in 1968. On Thursday, January 23rd, the high at the Chico State Farm was 77 degrees, and at the Chico Airport, it was 75 degrees; the record high for that date is 75, last set in 1948. The Chico State Farm temperature broke that record, while the high at the airport tied it. Finally, yesterday, January 24th, the high at the farm was 77 degrees; at the airport, it was 73 degrees. The record for that date is 74, set in 1948. The farm's high temp broke the record, while the airport's high was one degree shy of the record. Expect more near record warmth this weekend, with highs both today and tomorrow in the mid 70s. We should be around 57 degrees for the high in late January; this weekend's forecast highs will be running twenty degrees above the average. The record high for January 25th is 70 degrees, set in 1984; the record high for January 26th is also 70 degrees, last set in 1934. Both of those records should be easily broken this weekend. Temperatures will continue to be in the mid 70s through the middle of next week. However, a change in the warm and dry weather pattern is anticipated, as this sprawling high pressure that's been residing in the eastern Pacific Ocean finally begins to break down. The forecast high temperature for Thursday is 70 degrees, while Friday's high is only expected to be in the lower 60s. There is an increasing chance of showers by Thursday, and this chance lingers into next Friday. Right now the forecast states only a slight chance, but we need any chance of rain we can get at this point. So, expect continued warm and dry weather for the short term, but cooler and slightly wetter weather for the long term. Here is Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Today Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. North northeast wind around 6 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 34. Light northeast wind. Sunday Sunny, with a high near 73. North northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the morning. Sunday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 33. Light east northeast wind. Monday Mostly sunny, with a high near 70. East northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the morning. Monday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. Tuesday Partly sunny, with a high near 73. Tuesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 42. Wednesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 74. Wednesday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. Thursday A slight chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 70. Thursday Night A slight chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42. Friday A slight chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 61.

record warmth continues

The high temperature records continue to fall by the wayside. Yesterday's high temperature at the Chico Airport was 72 degrees, breaking the record of 70 degrees set back in 1991. Today's record high of 75 degrees set in 1968 may be in jeopardy, as the high is expected to be in the low to mid 70s. This weather pattern is truly unprecedented, as we have had no significant precipitation since December 7, 2013, and temperature records are being broken almost daily. And, there is no change in this pattern for at least the next seven to ten days. What's even more unbelievable is that some of the trees in Chico are beginning to leaf out- in January! The Sierra Nevada has only 20% of its normal snowpack for this time of year, with even the highest elevations seeing bare ground instead of feet of snow. In addition, fire danger is extremely high, and strong northeast winds are predicted for tomorrow through Saturday for parts of the Sierra and Coast Range mountains. Oy! Hopefully this pattern is a freak, isolated event, and not a harbinger of what's to come as far as climate change. Here is Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Today Patchy frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 72. North northeast wind 5 to 7 mph. Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 33. North wind 6 to 9 mph. Thursday Sunny, with a high near 70. North northeast wind 10 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Thursday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 35. Northeast wind around 11 mph. Friday Sunny, with a high near 67. East northeast wind around 8 mph. Friday Night Patchy frost after 4am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 33. Saturday Patchy frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 69. Saturday Night Patchy frost after 4am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 33. Sunday Patchy frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 73. Sunday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 34. Monday Sunny, with a high near 72. Monday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 34. Tuesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 73.

more record warmth on tap

There were no temperature records broken yesterday in Chico, but the high temperature of 70 degrees at the airport was 15 degrees above the average for the date. Look for more record warmth over the next several days, as highs in the low to mid 70s threaten to break records. Overnight lows will be wintry- in the lower to middle 30s. That's actually below the average of 36 degrees for this time of year. So, we will be below normal for overnight lows, but well above average for highs. Again, no rain is in the forecast. I really wish there was. Here's Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Today Patchy frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 71. Light and variable wind. Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 33. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph after midnight. Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 74. Northwest wind 3 to 8 mph. Wednesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 34. North wind 9 to 11 mph. Thursday Sunny, with a high near 70. Northeast wind 8 to 10 mph. Thursday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 33. Friday Sunny, with a high near 69. Friday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 33. Saturday Sunny, with a high near 69. Saturday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 33. Sunday Sunny, with a high near 72. Sunday Night Clear, with a low around 34. Monday Sunny, with a high near 70.

no relief from the drought

Another temperature record was broken today, when the old record of 70 degrees set in 1971 on this date was surpassed by today's high of 71 degrees. More high temperature records may be in jeopardy this week, as stubborn high pressure continues to provide us with dry conditions and above average temps. Don't expect relief from this drought anytime soon, as no rain is in the forecast for the rest of this month. Governor Jerry Brown issued a drought emergency on Friday, potentially allowing federal aid to help California weather this nasty drought. It is not looking good that we can catch up to normal precipitation levels at this late point in the rainy season, which normally ends in April. I'd be happy with any precipitation we can get. For now, expect very spring-like temps and sunny skies to persist. Some flowering fruit trees, such as pear and cherry, are beginning to bloom in Chico- over a month earlier than usual. Not good, especially if we get a widespread freeze outbreak soon. Right now, overnight lows are hovering right around freezing, but if these trees completely bloom out before we get a strong and persistent cold spell, this could potentially damage these trees. It's just an all around bad situation we're in right now, with no end in sight. Here is Chico's seven day weather forecast from the National Weather Service: Tonight Areas of frost after 4am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 31. Northeast wind 3 to 7 mph. M.L.King Day Areas of frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 71. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable in the afternoon. Monday Night Areas of frost after 4am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 31. North northeast wind 5 to 7 mph. Tuesday Areas of frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 71. Northeast wind 5 to 9 mph becoming calm in the morning. Tuesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 33. Light northeast wind. Wednesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. Wednesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 34. Thursday Sunny, with a high near 70. Thursday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 33. Friday Sunny, with a high near 69. Friday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 32. Saturday Sunny, with a high near 67. Saturday Night Clear, with a low around 32. Sunday Sunny, with a high near 69.

breaking records all over the place

Wow! This warmth is unprecedented! On Wednesday, the high temperature at the Chico Airport was 79 degrees, shattering the old record of 70 set in 2009. Yesterday's high of 77 degrees at the airport also broke the old record of 75 for the date set also in 2009. And, if we get no precipitation for the rest of the month (which, according to the National Weather Service, is looking increasingly likely), January 2014 will be the driest January ever for Chico. January is normally Chico's wettest month. This will also be the fourth January in a row that we've seen below normal precipitation for the month. Just setting records all over the place, and not good records, either. Temperatures should cool off some over the next several days, but they will still be well above the average of 55 degrees. With this very dry air mass in place, the temperature diurnal (the difference between the daytime high and overnight low temperature) will be astounding- as much as a 40 degree difference from the time you wake up until the time you get off work. In addition, the tinder dry conditions are adding fuel (so to speak) to the high fire danger all over California. Fires are burning in Southern California, and the Northstate is also under extreme fire conditions. Please do not toss your lit cigarette butt out of your car window; it may easily start a fire that could grow quickly. So, be careful out there, enjoy the spring weather in January, and pray for rain. Here's Chico's seven day forecast from the NWS: Today Patchy fog before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 70. North wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the morning. Tonight Patchy frost after 4am. Otherwise, clear, with a low around 32. Calm wind becoming north northeast around 5 mph after midnight. Saturday Patchy frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 71. Light north wind. Saturday Night Patchy frost after 4am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 32. Light and variable wind. Sunday Patchy frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 68. Northeast wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the morning. Sunday Night Patchy frost after 4am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 32. M.L.King Day Patchy frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 68. Monday Night Patchy frost after 4am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 32. Tuesday Patchy frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 70. Tuesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 34. Wednesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 69. Wednesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 34. Thursday Mostly sunny, with a high near 67.

feels like April

Is it January or April? It was hard to tell yesterday, as the high temperature in Chico soared into the mid 70s. The record high for January 14th is 77 degrees set way back in 1920; the high temp at the airport was 75 degrees, but at the University Farm it reached 77- thus, tying the 94 year old record. This record warmth and extended dryness will continue the next few days, although it is expected to cool into the 60s for highs by this weekend. We desperately need some precipitation, but it just won't happen. This is due to a high pressure system that is sprawling over the eastern Pacific, causing any storms that would normally affect us this time of year to be shunted to our north. This high pressure shows no signs of moving anytime soon, so we will have to live with no rain or snow for a long while. Meanwhile, the area reservoirs continue to sink to new lows. Time to panic? Maybe not yet, but if we don't get any precipitation between now and March, the state government may have to issue a drought emergency declaration. Let's hope the weather pattern changes soon. For now, here's Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Today Patchy frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 71. Calm wind becoming north around 6 mph in the afternoon. Tonight Patchy frost after 4am. Otherwise, clear, with a low around 31. North wind 3 to 5 mph. Thursday Patchy frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 70. Calm wind becoming north northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Thursday Night Patchy frost after 4am. Otherwise, clear, with a low around 33. North northeast wind around 6 mph. Friday Patchy frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 68. North northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the morning. Friday Night Patchy frost after 4am. Otherwise, clear, with a low around 32. Saturday Patchy frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 67. Saturday Night Patchy frost after 4am. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 33. Sunday Patchy frost before 10am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 63. Sunday Night Patchy frost after 4am. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 32. M.L.King Day Patchy frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 65. Monday Night Patchy fog after 4am. Patchy frost after 4am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 33. Tuesday Patchy fog before 10am. Patchy frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 66.

warming up

It's back to the warm temperatures and sunny conditions for the next several days as high pressure re-exerts its presence over Northern California. Temperatures will hover near record territory this week, with low 70s not out of the question for tomorrow and Wednesday. Highs by the end of the week will drop back into the mid 60s, but that is still 8-10 degrees above the average (which is 55 degrees for mid-January, BTW). So, look for chilly, frosty mornings and mild, sunny afternoons through this coming weekend. Here are the specifics for Chico the next seven days from the National Weather Service: Today Patchy frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 67. North northwest wind 6 to 9 mph. Tonight Patchy frost after 4am. Otherwise, clear, with a low around 33. North wind 3 to 5 mph. Tuesday Patchy frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 71. North northwest wind 5 to 7 mph. Tuesday Night Patchy frost after 4am. Otherwise, clear, with a low around 32. North wind 3 to 6 mph. Wednesday Patchy frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 70. Light north wind. Wednesday Night Patchy frost after 4am. Otherwise, clear, with a low around 32. Thursday Patchy frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 67. Thursday Night Patchy frost after 4am. Otherwise, clear, with a low around 32. Friday Patchy frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 66. Friday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 34. Saturday Partly sunny, with a high near 61. Saturday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 35. Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 63.

back to sunny and warm weather

Well, yesterday was a nice change from all of the sunny and mild weather we've been experiencing. It actually looked and felt like winter in Northern California briefly. However, all Chico got from this storm was a paltry .01"- one one-hundredth of an inch of rain. That's like spitting into a rain bucket! That will be the last bit of rain we will see in quite awhile, as high pressure moves back in to create sunny and very warm conditions. Chico will see temps 10-15 degrees above normal the next several days. Highs are expected to be in the mid 60s to around 70 degrees. With this type of weather, I fear the flowering and fruit trees are going to begin blooming over the next couple of weeks- about a month earlier than usual. We may have an early and short wildflower season, as well. However, if we don't get some significant rain soon, there may not be a wildflower season. Parts of the Sierra Nevada received about 5 inches of snow, but that is miniscule compared to the several feet of snow we should see in mid-January. The native grasses in the foothills should be a deep emerald green by now, but instead are a bland tannish color. This serious situation may become dire very soon, and I'm afraid with climate change this recent weather pattern may become the new normal for us. Could the Breadbasket of America become an arid desert within 150 years? I really hope not. Too soon to tell, anyway. Here is the very dry and warm seven day forecast for Chico from the National Weather Service: Today Mostly sunny, with a high near 60. North northwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 33. North wind around 8 mph. Monday Sunny, with a high near 67. North northwest wind around 8 mph. Monday Night Clear, with a low around 34. North wind around 7 mph. Tuesday Sunny, with a high near 68. North wind around 7 mph. Tuesday Night Clear, with a low around 33. Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 67. Wednesday Night Patchy frost after 1am. Otherwise, clear, with a low around 32. Thursday Patchy frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 65. Thursday Night Patchy frost after 1am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 32. Friday Patchy frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 63. Friday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 34. Saturday Mostly sunny, with a high near 63.

rain likely tomorrow; mild and dry after

Yesterday the high temperature in Chico was only 58 degrees under mostly cloudy skies. That's the coolest we've been in awhile, as high pressure has dominated our weather. Rain is increasingly likely for tomorrow, as a powerful storm system moves in from the Pacific. Washington and Oregon will feel the brunt of this storm, but rain will extend as far south as Northern California. It may get breezy at times tomorrow, as well, with winds from the south around 15-20 mph. That storm will quickly exit our area by tomorrow night, allowing high pressure to move in and dry us out. This high pressure will cause temperatures to warm back into the middle 60s by early next week. Don't expect a lot of rain with this next storm; generally just a tenth of an inch may fall. A few inches of snow may dust the highest elevations of the Sierra, mainly above 5000 feet. I am fearful this may be a very dry winter/ spring, which follows a previous dry winter/ spring. Not good. Fingers crossed for a wet March through May. Here is Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Today Mostly sunny, with a high near 63. North northeast wind around 5 mph becoming light and variable in the morning. Tonight A 30 percent chance of rain after 4am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 38. Light east southeast wind increasing to 5 to 9 mph in the evening. Saturday Rain likely, mainly between 10am and 4pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56. South southeast wind around 16 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. Saturday Night A 20 percent chance of showers before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. South southwest wind 3 to 7 mph. Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 60. North northwest wind around 7 mph. Sunday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 32. Monday Sunny, with a high near 65. Monday Night Clear, with a low around 31. Tuesday Sunny, with a high near 66. Tuesday Night Clear, with a low around 31. Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 64. Wednesday Night Patchy frost after 1am. Otherwise, clear, with a low around 32. Thursday Patchy frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 66.

cooler with a chance of rain for this weekend

Yesterday was cooler than it has been as there was a mix of sun and clouds. That kept the high at 61 degrees in Chico. It will continue to remain cooler than it has been the next few days as we continue to see a mix of clouds and sun the next few days. This is due to weakening high pressure allowing clouds associated with potent storms affecting the Pacific Northwest to filter our skies. The strongest of these storms may affect us by Saturday as there is a 40 percent chance of rain. That's the highest percentage of precipitation forecasted in quite awhile. By Sunday, sunshine and warmer temperatures return. Here is the detailed seven day forecast for Chico from the National Weather Service: Today Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59. Light and variable wind. Tonight Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35. Calm wind. Thursday Partly sunny, with a high near 59. Calm wind becoming northwest 5 to 9 mph in the afternoon. Thursday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 33. North wind around 7 mph. Friday Mostly sunny, with a high near 62. Calm wind. Friday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. Saturday A 40 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 57. Saturday Night A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 62. Sunday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 32. Monday Sunny, with a high near 65. Monday Night Clear, with a low around 31. Tuesday Sunny, with a high near 65.

so much for winter

Mother Nature has decided that winter will not happen in California this year. To prove that, Chico saw another very warm day today, with the high temperature at 71 degrees, just two degrees shy of the record high for this date. The Sierra Nevada has almost no snow pack, and the lakes and reservoirs across Northern California are at record low levels. It's becoming a serious situation. No one seems to know when (or if) we'll receive any significant precipitation. We could still conceivably have a wet spring in order to play catch-up. I hope so, because we will have to begin some extremely strict water rationing soon if we don't. Meanwhile, most of the eastern half of the country is experiencing dangerously cold weather and digging out from copious amounts of snow. I guess I shouldn't complain that we are experiencing spring in January! Here is the regional forecast for Chico and the central Sacramento Valley from the National Weather Service: Tonight: Clear...colder. Lows 29 to 41. North winds up to 10 mph. Monday: Partly cloudy in the morning then becoming mostly cloudy. Patchy frost in the morning. Highs around 62. Northwest winds up to 10 mph. Monday Night: Mostly cloudy. Lows 32 to 44. Light winds. Tuesday: Mostly cloudy. A slight chance of rain showers in the afternoon. Highs around 62. Light winds becoming south around 10 mph in the afternoon. Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy. A slight chance of rain showers in the evening. Lows 32 to 44. Southeast winds up to 10 mph shifting to the north after midnight. Wednesday: Mostly cloudy. Highs around 58. Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy with a slight chance of rain showers. Lows 32 to 44. Thursday: Mostly cloudy with a slight chance of rain. Highs around 58. Thursday Night: Partly cloudy. Lows 33 to 43. Friday And Friday Night: Mostly clear. Highs around 63. Lows 33 to 43. Saturday: Partly cloudy with a slight chance of rain. Highs around 62. Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy with a slight chance of rain. Lows 32 to 42. Sunday: Partly cloudy. Highs around 62.

fingers crossed for some rain next week

Albeit only slight chances. This entrenched pattern of sunny, mild days and clear, chilly nights will hopefully come to an end early next week. We've seen high temps consistently in the mid 60s to lower 70s for the past week (weather more indicative of March than January). Yes, it has been lovely weather for winter, but we need some rain. Desperately. Last year was the driest year on record for California, and we are still in a serious drought. For today and tomorrow, expect continued sunny skies and mild temperatures, with breezy north winds of 15-30 mph. It looks like the weather pattern may shift a bit next week, with high pressure weakening and allowing the jet stream to dive further south. This will steer a couple of weak storms our way. Right now don't expect a deluge of rain; we may be lucky to see a tenth of an inch. Every little drop helps at this point. Also, look for high temperatures to cool and overnight temps to warm by early next week. The increase of clouds allows cooler daytime highs as well as acts as a blanket overnight, insulating the air close to the ground. This causes the overnight temps to not drop as rapidly and as much. I'm hoping this upcoming weather pattern change will allow more rain to come our way. Fingers crossed. Here's Chico's (and the rest of the northern Sacramento Valley's) seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Today: Patchy frost in the morning. Sunny. Highs 61 to 71. North winds up to 15 mph with gusts to around 30 mph. Tonight: Clear. Lows 30 to 42. North winds 10 to 20 mph with gusts to around 30 mph. Sunday: Patchy frost in the morning. Sunny. Highs 61 to 67. Northwest winds around 10 mph. Gusts up to 25 mph in the morning. Sunday Night: Mostly clear. Lows 31 to 41. North winds around 10 mph. Monday: Mostly cloudy. Highs 59 to 65. North winds around 10 mph in the morning becoming light. Monday Night: Mostly cloudy. Lows 35 to 45. Tuesday: Mostly cloudy with a chance of rain showers. Highs around 58. Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy with a slight chance of rain showers. Lows 33 to 43. Wednesday: Mostly cloudy. Highs around 58. Wednesday Night And Thursday: Mostly cloudy with a slight chance of rain showers. Lows 34 to 44. Highs around 58. Thursday Night: Partly cloudy. Lows 33 to 43. Friday: Mostly sunny. Highs around 61.

A dry 2013 turns into a dry start to 2014

Happy New Year! I hope everyone has a safe, joyous, and prosperous 2014! Well, it's official: California saw its driest calendar year on record. I honestly don't know how much precipitation Chico ended up with for calendar year 2013, but downtown Sacramento saw less than 7 inches of rain for 2013. I would say Chico saw less than 10 inches for 2013; we normally receive 26 inches. Let's hope 2014 doesn't end up as dry as last year. Unfortunately, we're kicking off 2014 on a dry note, as there is still no rain in the forecast for at least the first seven days of this year. High temperatures will be way above average by as much as 10-15 degrees, bordering on record territory. We should be around 53-54 degrees for early January, but Mother Nature must think it's early March. Highs will be in the low to middle 60s through this coming weekend. A slight pattern shift will result in cooler temps for early next week, but it will remain above seasonal averages. Here is the dry and spring-like seven day forecast for Chico from the National Weather Service: New Year's Day Patchy frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 63. Calm wind. Tonight Patchy frost after 4am. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 34. Calm wind becoming north northeast around 5 mph after midnight. Thursday Patchy frost before 10am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 66. Light and variable wind. Thursday Night Patchy frost after 4am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. Calm wind. Friday Patchy frost before 10am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 65. Calm wind. Friday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 33. Saturday Sunny, with a high near 63. Saturday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 30. Sunday Sunny, with a high near 62. Sunday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 32. Monday Partly sunny, with a high near 60. Monday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. Tuesday Partly sunny, with a high near 57.