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.