rain is coming

Yes, you read that correctly. Rain is on the way for the Sacramento Valley, with lots of snow for the mountains. A Winter Storm Watch is in effect beginning Friday afternoon through Saturday evening. There is the potential for 1 to 2 feet of snow above 5000 feet beginning Friday afternoon. Travel is expected to be treacherous in the Sierra Nevada mountains, as heavy snow will make driving dangerous. Snow chains are required from Friday through Saturday on mountain roads. In the valley, rain will begin with this first storm overnight tonight and continue off and on through Friday. The second, more powerful storm, will bring heavier rain Saturday, Saturday night, and Sunday. Showers may linger in the valley through Monday as that second storm exits our region. It's too soon to say how much rain we may receive, but I anticipate anywhere from a half an inch to over an inch between tomorrow and Monday. This could be the first real significant storm this rainy season. I know, I said that with the last storm and we only got a third of an inch of rain. However, this next series of storms looks good as far as bringing us significant precipitation. We shall see if it happens. For now, here is Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Today A 10 percent chance of showers after 5pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 55. Calm wind becoming south southeast 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon. Tonight A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. East southeast wind 5 to 8 mph. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. Thursday Showers likely, mainly after 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 51. Southeast wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. Thursday Night A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. Southeast wind 6 to 8 mph. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. Friday A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 53. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Friday Night Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Saturday Rain. High near 53. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Saturday Night Rain likely. Cloudy, with a low around 42. Sunday Rain. Cloudy, with a high near 56. Sunday Night Rain likely. Cloudy, with a low around 39. Monday A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 62. Monday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 38. Tuesday A slight chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 62.