all aboard the Pineapple Express

We haven't seen precipitation amounts from one storm like this for awhile. Up to 3 inches of rain could fall in Chico between tomorrow and Sunday, while in the Sierra Nevada Mountains above 6000 feet, anywhere from 2-4 FEET of snow is expected! This is the kind of storm I like! The abundant moisture associated with this approaching storm is from a deep current of subtropical moisture in the South Pacific, and this powerful storm is capturing this moisture and carrying it northeastward right towards us (often referred to as the Pineapple Express). It's like aiming a fire hose right at Northern California. There may be some rises of creeks and streams, but the more likely scenario is urban flooding. Be careful if you will be out and about this weekend. If you see standing water in the street, turn around. Don't try to go through it; that's how many people stall their vehicles or get swept away by the current. Earlier today, Chico received over one third of an inch of rain, and the high temperature was a chilly 47 degrees. This next storm is warmer, and highs tomorrow through Sunday will be in the mid to upper 50s. Snow elevations will be high, generally above 5000 feet, but will initially start lower in the morning, around 2500-3000 feet. The warmer air from the Pacific will allow the snow level to climb throughout tomorrow. A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for the Sierra above 5000 feet from tomorrow morning through Saturday evening. In the valley, rain should begin sometime tomorrow morning, and be moderate to occasionally heavy through Sunday. We will catch a break Monday and Tuesday, but another storm, not as strong as the weekend one, will affect us by next Wednesday. Here are the forecast details for Chico from the National Weather Service: Tonight Showers likely, mainly after 4am. Cloudy, with a low around 37. Southeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. Friday Rain. High near 52. South southeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Friday Night Rain. Low around 43. Southeast wind around 17 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Saturday Rain. High near 55. South southeast wind 17 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Saturday Night Rain. Low around 44. Southeast wind around 18 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Sunday Showers. High near 59. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Sunday Night A 50 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. Monday A slight chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 66. Monday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37. Tuesday Partly sunny, with a high near 65. Tuesday Night A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. Wednesday A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62. Wednesday Night A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. Thursday A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 65.