cooler this week, with rain likely this weekend

It was cool and overcast today in Chico, with a high temperature of 54 degrees. No rain fell officially in Chico, but areas in the Coast Range and along the California coast did see some rain and snow (depending on elevation). A slow-moving low pressure system hugged the coastline all day, giving us the overcast skies. Rain, however, was confined mainly to the coast. Skies should clear out overnight tonight, dropping the temperature below freezing. It will be noticeably cooler this week, with highs only in the 50s under mainly sunny skies. Computer models seem to be in agreement that we stand a good chance of rain Saturday night and Sunday, with snow in the mountains and some foothills locations. If this forecast holds, we could see the best chance of precipitation we've seen in over a year. For the computer models to be in agreement that rain is likely six to seven days out is a positive sign. I will update my blog as changes warrant. Here is what the National Weather Service is saying for Chico the next seven days: Tonight Partly cloudy, with a low around 30. North northeast wind 3 to 6 mph. Monday Mostly sunny, with a high near 55. Calm wind. Monday Night Patchy frost after 4am. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 28. North wind 3 to 5 mph. Tuesday Patchy frost before 10am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 57. North wind around 5 mph becoming west northwest in the morning. Tuesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 29. Calm wind becoming east northeast around 5 mph in the evening. Wednesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 57. Wednesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 30. Thursday A slight chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 55. Thursday Night A slight chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 29. Friday Sunny, with a high near 54. Friday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 30. Saturday A chance of rain. Cloudy, with a high near 53. Saturday Night Rain likely. Cloudy, with a low around 36. Sunday Rain likely. Cloudy, with a high near 54.