stormy week ahead

Well, today was another beautiful day in Chico, with sunshine and a high temperature of 73 degrees. That's 10 degrees above the average for February 23rd, but not a record high (the record high for February 23rd is 75 set in 1985). It will continue to be warm and tranquil through Tuesday, with sunshine and highs around 70 degrees. By Wednesday, the first of two powerful storms will affect our area, bringing wind, rain, and high elevation snow. There will be a slight break in the storminess on Thursday, as the first storm moves out. However, a second, stronger storm invades on Friday, bringing more wind, rain, and mountain snow. Snow levels will initially be high with the first storm, generally above 5000 feet. Snow levels will lower some with the second storm, falling to around 4500 feet. Perhaps one to two feet of snow will be possible in the Sierra Nevada with these two storms , and 1 to 3 inches of rain for the valley. Stay tuned for updates. For now, here is the seven day forecast for Chico from the National Weather Service: Tonight Partly cloudy, with a low around 43. Calm wind. Monday Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Monday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 45. Light east northeast wind. Tuesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 70. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the morning. Tuesday Night A 30 percent chance of rain after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. East southeast wind 5 to 8 mph. Wednesday Rain likely, mainly after 10am. Cloudy, with a high near 60. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Wednesday Night Rain. Low around 47. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Thursday A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62. Thursday Night A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. Friday Rain. Cloudy, with a high near 58. Friday Night Rain. Cloudy, with a low around 45. Saturday A chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 61. Saturday Night A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. Sunday A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62.