unsettled weather continues

Chico has received 1.88 inches of rain the past 48 hours, and more is on the way. The peak wind gust the past 36 hours has been 26 mph from the south-southeast. A Wind Advisory is in effect for the Sacramento Valley until 5pm this afternoon for winds gusting to 40 mph. The Pineapple express is in full effect currently, with rain having fallen in the valley and surrounding foothills almost nonstop for the past 24 hours. Beneficial precipitation continues to fall at this time, and more is expected through tomorrow before tapering down to showers tomorrow night. A Winter Storm Warning is in effect beginning at 4am tomorrow and continuing until 4am Monday for the Sierra Nevada above 7000 feet south of Plumas County. If traveling to Tahoe for a skiing trip, bring tire chains and a winter survival kit, just in case. Up to 18 inches of fresh snow is expected above 7000 feet over the next 24-36 hours, on top of the 2 feet already received since Thursday. The Tahoe ski resorts finally have some excellent skiing conditions. There will be a break from the rain Monday and Tuesday before another system brings more rain and snow Wednesday through Friday of next week. Here is Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: This Afternoon Rain. High near 53. Breezy, with a southeast wind around 25 mph, with gusts as high as 34 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Tonight Rain. Low around 46. Southeast wind 9 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible. Sunday Rain. High near 57. South southeast wind 7 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Sunday Night Showers likely, mainly before 10pm. Cloudy, with a low around 44. East southeast wind 3 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. Monday A 20 percent chance of showers before 10am. Partly sunny, with a high near 65. Calm wind becoming west northwest 5 to 7 mph in the morning. Monday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 40. Tuesday Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61. Tuesday Night A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42. Wednesday A chance of rain. Cloudy, with a high near 60. Wednesday Night A chance of rain. Cloudy, with a low around 46. Thursday A chance of rain. Cloudy, with a high near 62. Thursday Night A chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 43. Friday A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61.