more rain on the way

Chico's getting a slight break from the weather today after last night's storminess. Chico and Butte County were under two separate Tornado Warnings last evening as a slow-moving thunderstorm moved to the north and east of downtown. There was also plenty of heavy rain, thunder and lightning with this isolated storm. No actual tornadoes touched down, thank goodness. Today we're experiencing partly sunny and dry conditions, with temperatures in the mid 50s. It's been much cooler than normal with these storms, as we should be around 70 degrees this time of year. An even colder storm from the Gulf of Alaska will dive southeastward into Northern California tomorrow, bringing more rain, wind, thunderstorms, and mountain snow. Due to the colder nature of this next storm, snow may fall as low as 2000 feet in elevation. Expect a foot or more of snow above 3000 feet in the Sierra Nevada between Monday and Wednesday. Winter Storm Watches have already been posted for the Sierra, but those will change to warnings by tonight, I'm sure. In the valley, including Chico, up to an inch of rain may fall between Monday and early Wednesday, and thunderstorms are again possible, especially on Tuesday. Winds may gust from the southeast up to 30 mph in the valley, and 45 mph from the southwest in the mountains. We'll get a brief break on Wednesday with sunshine, but another storm arrives on Thursday. Hopefully we'll get a dry weekend next weekend. For now, get ready for more storminess. Here is Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: This Afternoon A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 61. South southeast wind around 7 mph. Tonight A 20 percent chance of rain after 11pm. Increasing clouds, with a low around 43. East wind 5 to 7 mph. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. Monday Rain likely, mainly after 11am. Cloudy, with a high near 55. Southeast wind 9 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Monday Night Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 11pm, then showers likely. Low around 42. Southeast wind 10 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. Tuesday Showers likely, with thunderstorms also possible after 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 54. Southeast wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Tuesday Night A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly before 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. Wednesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 63. Wednesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 44. Thursday A slight chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 61. Thursday Night A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. Friday A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 65. Friday Night A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. Saturday A slight chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 69. ***UPDATE*** There was a confirmed touchdown of a tornado Saturday evening in Butte County. It was an EF0 tornado and briefly touched down, causing minor damage to an orchard. This is the seventh confirmed tornado touchdown in California this year, according to the National Weather Service.

Tornado Warning

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SACRAMENTO HAS ISSUED A * TORNADO WARNING FOR... WEST CENTRAL BUTTE COUNTY IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA... EXTREME NORTHEASTERN GLENN COUNTY IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA... SOUTH CENTRAL TEHAMA COUNTY IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA... * UNTIL 830 PM PDT * AT 742 PM PDT...A TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTER REPORTED A FUNNEL CLOUD NEAR NORD...OR 10 MILES NORTHWEST OF CHICO...MOVING EAST AT 10 MPH. THE STORM MAY PRODUCE HAIL AS WELL. * THE POSSIBLE TORNADO WILL BE OVER... RURAL WESTERN BUTTE COUNTY NORTHWEST OF CHICO

Wind Advisory in effect until tomorrow morning

From the National Weather Service office in Sacramento: WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 AM PDT SATURDAY... THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SACRAMENTO HAS ISSUED A WIND ADVISORY...WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 AM PDT SATURDAY FOR THE NORTHERN AND CENTRAL SACRAMENTO VALLEY. * WINDS: STRONGEST SOUTH WINDS SUSTAINED AT 25 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 45 MPH. * TIMING: STRONGEST WINDS THROUGH MIDNIGHT IN THE NORTHERN SACRAMENTO VALLEY. WINDS INCREASING IN THE CENTRAL SACRAMENTO VALLEY THIS EVENING...AND CONTINUING INTO EARLY SATURDAY MORNING. * LOCATIONS INCLUDE: REDDING....RED BLUFF...CHICO...OROVILLE AND MARYSVILLE. * IMPACTS: DIFFICULT DRIVING...LOOSE OBJECTS BLOWN AWAY.

rain likely and thunderstorms possible this weekend

Sorry I'm late in posting this, but there were numerous funnel clouds in the Northern Sacramento Valley on Wednesday, prompting Tornado Warnings to be issued in Glenn County, west of Chico. There were other locations in which funnel clouds were spotted on Wednesday, especially the Sacramento area. Chico itself saw no funnel clouds or tornadic activity, just off-and-on rain. We are slowly catching up on our rainfall this rainy season, as Chico has seen about two inches of rain so far this week. More is on the way, with at least two storms affecting us- one tonight and tomorrow, the other Monday into Tuesday. Chico can expect up to an inch of rain between tonight and tomorrow night. Thunderstorms are also possible tomorrow as the cold front passes and the actual low pressure center moves over our area. Forecasters are not ruling out the possibility of an isolated tornado and hail with some of these storms. In the mountains, over a foot of snow is forecast above 5000 feet in elevation over the next 24-36 hours. Another storm Monday into Tuesday will bring us another round of beneficial rain. A chance of showers will linger into the middle of next week. Highs are expected to remain in the mid 50s to mid 60s through the period, which is much cooler than normal for this time of year. We should be in the upper 60s to near 70 degrees for the end of March. Some events happening in Chico this weekend: the Chico Bach Festival, celebrating the famous composer, happens through Sunday on the Chico State campus; check the school's website for specifics; Chico State Wildcats men's baseball team hosts San Francisco State at Nettleton Stadium on the Chico State campus this weekend; again, check the school's athletics website for specific times; and Jason Mraz rolls into town performing an acoustic set on Sunday evening at Laxson Auditorium. Here is Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Today A 50 percent chance of rain. Cloudy, with a high near 64. South southeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Tonight Rain. Low around 50. South southeast wind 14 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible. Saturday Showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 11am. High near 58. South southeast wind 10 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Saturday Night Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 11pm, then a chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43. Southeast wind 5 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. Sunday A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60. South wind 5 to 7 mph. Sunday Night A 20 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. Monday Rain likely. Cloudy, with a high near 53. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Monday Night Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. Tuesday A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 53. Tuesday Night A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. Wednesday Partly sunny, with a high near 61. Wednesday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. Thursday A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 58.

rain and more rain

This is the first time in a long time there has been a chance of rain every day in the seven day forecast. First, a recap of the thunderstorm that moved over Chico last evening. This storm dropped .89 of an inch in under an hour, along with pea-sized hail and lots of thunder and lightning. It is rare in these parts for that much rain to fall in such a short time period. It was a massive thunderstorm, for sure. We may see that kind of weather again today, as the low pressure system responsible for that thunderstorm is still hovering over our area. We'll see a brief lull tomorrow and during the day Friday (although there is still the possibility of showers on those days), and then a more powerful storm will bring heavier rain Friday night and into Saturday. A chance of rain will linger well into the weekend and also into next week. Temperatures will be much cooler than they have been, with highs mainly in the upper 50s to around 60 degrees. That's nearly ten degrees below average. Overnight lows will be in the mid 40s. Here's the wet forecast for Chico from the National Weather Service: Today Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 57. Southeast wind 11 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Tonight Showers likely, mainly before 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. Southeast wind 11 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. Thursday A 40 percent chance of showers, mainly before 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60. South southeast wind 11 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. Thursday Night A 50 percent chance of rain, mainly after 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49. Southeast wind around 10 mph. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. Friday A 50 percent chance of rain. Cloudy, with a high near 63. Southeast wind 9 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Friday Night Rain likely. Cloudy, with a low around 52. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Saturday Rain. High near 61. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Saturday Night A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. Sunday A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 64. Sunday Night A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47. Monday A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60. Monday Night A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. Tuesday A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 60.

update on wet weather

From the National Weather Service office in Sacramento: WET AND COOLER WEATHER TUESDAY THROUGH THE REST OF THE WEEK... * IMPACTS: WET ROADS WITH WINTRY TRAVEL INTO THE MOUNTAINS. PONDING OF WATER POSSIBLE ON ROADWAYS WITH THUNDERSTORMS ON WEDNESDAY. * RAINFALL AMOUNTS THROUGH THURSDAY: UP TO AROUND A HALF OF AN INCH IN THE CENTRAL VALLEY WITH UP TO AROUND 2 INCHES IN THE FOOTHILLS AND MOUNTAINS. POSSIBLE THUNDERSTORMS WEDNESDAY IN THE CENTRAL VALLEY AND FOOTHILLS. * SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS: UP TO SIX INCHES IN THE HIGHER TERRAIN OF THE COASTAL RANGE AND SHASTA COUNTY MOUNTAINS ABOVE 4500 FEET. * WINDS: SOUTHWEST WIND GUSTS TO AROUND 45 MPH OVER HIGHER MOUNTAIN TERRAIN...LOCALLY HIGHER OVER REMOTE PEAKS. * TIMING: PRECIPITATION BEGINS OVER THE COASTAL AND WESTERN SHASTA MOUNTAINS EARLY TUESDAY MORNING SPREADING OVER MOST OF INTERIOR NORTHERN CALIFORNIA TUESDAY INTO TUESDAY NIGHT. PRECIPITATION TURNS SHOWERY WEDNESDAY AS COLDER AIR MOVES INTO THE REGION. HEAVIEST PRECIPITATION IS EXPECTED WEDNESDAY. DECREASING THREAT OF SHOWERS ON THURSDAY...ESPECIALLY IN THE VALLEY. ADDITIONAL SYSTEMS POSSIBLE LATER IN THE WEEK.

significant weather change on the way

After a wonderful weather weekend in Chico, with highs in the mid to upper 70s and abundant sunshine, we'll get one more day of this type of weather before a major pattern change affects us. Tomorrow (Monday) will be sunny and continued warm to kick off the work and school week (Chico State students return from spring break tomorrow). By Tuesday, a cold front moves in and brings periods of rain and gusty winds. Wind speeds will range from 15-25 mph in the valley, with gusts to 45 mph on higher mountain ridgetops. Rain tapers to showers beginning Tuesday night and continuing into Wednesday. Rainfall totals by late Wednesday for the valley could be up to three quarters of an inch, while parts of the Sierra Nevada could see one to two feet of snow above 5000 feet by Thursday. Snow levels will initially be high, above 5000 feet, but will lower to 4000 feet by Wednesday after the cold front passes. A trough will set up behind the cold front, giving us periods of showers through next weekend. High temps will be a good 10-15 degrees cooler than what we have seen recently for much of this upcoming week. Here is the detailed seven day forecast for Chico from the National Weather Service: Tonight Clear, with a low around 41. West wind around 5 mph becoming light and variable in the evening. Monday Sunny, with a high near 78. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 9 mph in the afternoon. Monday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 46. East southeast wind 6 to 9 mph. Tuesday Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62. Southeast wind 7 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Tuesday Night Showers likely. Cloudy, with a low around 45. Southeast wind 8 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Wednesday Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Wednesday Night A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42. Chance of precipitation is 50%. Thursday A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 64. Thursday Night A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. Friday A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 68. Friday Night A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48. Saturday A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 67. Saturday Night A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49. Sunday A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 65.

turning wetter and cooler

Yesterday was another in a recent string of days with sunshine and warm temperatures. The high yesterday in Chico was a pleasant 75 degrees. The normal high for March 21st is 67. While we enjoy these wonderfully warm and sunny days, the drought becomes worse. We may see a little bit of relief next week as a trough of low pressure digs in, giving us cooler and showery weather. Highs in the mid 70s today, tomorrow and Monday will give way to cooler 60s for highs Tuesday through next Friday, along with a chance of showers. Right now it doesn't look like much, and we here in Chico may get a quarter to a half an inch of rain. That's not nearly enough to alleviate the intense drought, and California could see water shortages and intense wildfires this summer. But, I'm trying to maintain a positive outlook: Some climatologists and weather forecasters are hinting at a strong El Nino next winter, which could bring California out of its current drought situation. We shall see. For now, enjoy our lovely spring weather! Here's Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Today Sunny, with a high near 74. West northwest wind 6 to 8 mph. Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 44. West northwest wind around 6 mph becoming light and variable in the evening. Sunday Sunny, with a high near 75. East northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the morning. Sunday Night Clear, with a low around 45. West wind around 5 mph becoming northeast in the evening. Monday Sunny, with a high near 76. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon. Monday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47. Tuesday A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 65. Tuesday Night Showers likely. Cloudy, with a low around 48. Wednesday A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 64. Wednesday Night A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. Thursday A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 67. Thursday Night A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47. Friday A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69.

weather feeling springlike

Happy first day of Spring! Today is the Vernal Equinox, in which there are approximately the same number of hours of daylight and darkness- about 12 hours for each. Of course, many locations in the Northern Hemisphere had about the same number of hours of daylight and darkness on St. Patrick's Day, but, you know, details. Anyway, in the Southern Hemisphere, today is the day of the Autumnal Equinox, or the first day of Autumn. In the Northern Hemisphere, the number of daylight hours will grow from here on out (until June), while in the Southern Hemisphere, the number of hours of daylight will shrink. Weather-wise here in Chico, the weather has definitely been feeling like Spring, with yesterday's high temperature at 76 under sunny skies and fairly light winds. Today through Monday will be nearly carbon copies of yesterday, with slight chances of a shower Tuesday and Wednesday of next week. Other than that, the drought marches on. Here's Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Today Mostly sunny, with a high near 74. Calm wind becoming west northwest around 6 mph in the afternoon. Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 45. Light and variable wind. Friday Sunny, with a high near 73. North northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the morning. Friday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 44. Light and variable wind. Saturday Sunny, with a high near 74. Light and variable wind. Saturday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 45. Sunday Sunny, with a high near 75. Sunday Night Clear, with a low around 47. Monday Sunny, with a high near 76. Monday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 48. Tuesday A slight chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 69. Tuesday Night A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47. Wednesday A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 66.

possible chance for rain next week?

Let's hope so, but I wouldn't hold my breath. It has been extremely dry this rainy season, which continues a dry streak stretching back at least three years. As we get closer to the end of the rainy season, our hopes (and chances) for rain decrease. But, if you are a fan of sunny, warm weather, this is your forecast! Sunshine and highs in the 70s will be the rule through at least next Monday, with a chance of rain for Tuesday. Here is Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Today Sunny, with a high near 73. Calm wind. Tonight Partly cloudy, with a low around 45. Calm wind. Thursday Partly sunny, with a high near 73. Light and variable wind. Thursday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 46. Light and variable wind. Friday Mostly sunny, with a high near 73. North wind around 5 mph becoming light and variable in the morning. Friday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 46. Saturday Mostly sunny, with a high near 73. Saturday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 45. Sunday Sunny, with a high near 74. Sunday Night Clear, with a low around 48. Monday Mostly sunny, with a high near 73. Monday Night A slight chance of rain. Partly cloudy, with a low around 48. Tuesday A chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 65.

nice weather for spring break

Chico State students are on spring break this week, and for those students who choose to stay in the local area, you will have beautiful weather to enjoy. This past weekend was gorgeous, with sunshine and highs in the upper 70s and lower 80s. Expect breezy to windy conditions today, as a moisture-starved cold front moves through the area. After the front passes sometime this morning, winds will shift to the northwest and become blustery, especially west of Chico. A Wind Advisory will be in effect from 11am this morning until 9pm this evening for winds between 15-30 mph and gusts to 45 mph. Breezy conditions will continue tomorrow, although not quite as strong as today. Sunshine will dominate the weather picture the next seven days, with highs generally in the lower and middle 70s. Overnight lows will be mainly in the 40s. Get out and enjoy! Here's Chico's detailed forecast from the National Weather Service: Today Sunny, with a high near 69. Breezy, with a northwest wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to 17 to 22 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 37 mph. Tonight Clear, with a low around 41. North northwest wind 8 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. Tuesday Sunny, with a high near 71. North northwest wind 8 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Tuesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 40. Northeast wind 6 to 8 mph. Wednesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 72. Light and variable wind. Wednesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 45. Thursday Mostly sunny, with a high near 72. Thursday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 42. Friday Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. Friday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 44. Saturday Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. Saturday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 45. Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 72.

warm weekend

It has been very pleasant in Chico the past few days, with sunshine and highs in the lower and middle 70s. We should be around 65 degrees this time of year. Get ready for even warmer temperatures this weekend, as we could reach the 80 degree mark for the first time this year. A weak cold front will pass to our north on Monday, creating strong northerly winds both Monday and Tuesday. Fire danger may be elevated on those days due to the potentially windy conditions, so be prepared. Temps may cool to more seasonal levels by late next week, but there is no rain in the forecast. The Chico Home, Garden and Leisure Show is this weekend at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds; I'm sure the weather we're having is inspiring people to plant their gardens and design their outdoor living spaces. Enjoy the sunny, warm weather! Here's Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Today Sunny, with a high near 78. North northeast wind 5 to 8 mph becoming light and variable. Tonight Clear, with a low around 50. West northwest wind around 5 mph becoming light and variable. Sunday Sunny, with a high near 77. Light and variable wind becoming south southeast 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon. Sunday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 47. South southeast wind 6 to 8 mph. Monday Sunny, with a high near 68. Light north wind becoming northwest 11 to 16 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 24 mph. Monday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 42. Tuesday Sunny, with a high near 70. Tuesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 41. Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 71. Wednesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 47. Thursday Mostly sunny, with a high near 68. Thursday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 43. Friday Partly sunny, with a high near 68.

stretch of nice weather

Yesterday was beautiful, albeit windy and cool. The highs in the area were in the mid 70s, but the strong northwesterly winds made it feel cooler. There will be less wind today, making it feel warmer than yesterday. Highs will remain above 70 degrees through next Monday, and may even reach 80 degrees for the first time this year this weekend. There is no rain in the forecast, and long-term weather models hint at a long 8-10 day stretch of dry conditions. It may be we have seen the wettest weather already for this rainy season, and chances of more precipitation dwindle as we get closer to the end of the rainy season. Not good, as we are well over 15 inches below average for rainfall here in Chico just this rainy season (July 1, 2013- June 30, 2014). Here is the dry and very spring-like weather forecast for Chico from the National Weather Service: Today Sunny, with a high near 73. North northeast wind 7 to 9 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Tonight Clear, with a low around 42. North northwest wind 7 to 9 mph becoming northeast after midnight. Thursday Sunny, with a high near 71. North northeast wind 5 to 7 mph becoming calm. Thursday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 45. Light and variable wind. Friday Sunny, with a high near 73. Northeast wind 5 to 7 mph becoming west northwest in the morning. Friday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 48. Saturday Sunny, with a high near 78. Saturday Night Clear, with a low around 48. Sunday Sunny, with a high near 78. Sunday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 50. Monday Sunny, with a high near 76. Monday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 49. Tuesday Sunny, with a high near 69.

Wind Advisory for tomorrow

From the National Weather Service: WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM TO 8 PM PDT TUESDAY... * WINDS: NORTH 15 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS BETWEEN 30 TO 40 MPH. * TIMING: WINDS WILL BEGIN TO STRENGTHEN EARLY TUESDAY MORNING AND REACH ADVISORY CRITERIA AROUND 9 AM. BREEZY TO STRONG WINDS WILL CONTINUE INTO THE EVENING. * LOCATIONS INCLUDE: SACRAMENTO...CHICO...REDDING...LAKEPORT. * IMPACTS: DRIVING CAN BE DIFFICULT IN BREEZY TO WINDY CONDITIONS... ESPECIALLY IF IN HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES. BE AWARE THAT TREE LIMBS AND BRANCHES COULD FALL AND SECURE ANY LOOSE OBJECTS IN YOUR YARD. LOCAL POWER OUTAGES MAY BE POSSIBLE.

becoming sunny and very warm this week

Once this area of showers moves out later this morning, the sun should return and temperatures will warm up drastically. Some locations in Butte County have seen anywhere from a half an inch to well over an inch with this slow-moving storm. Most of the wet weather has now moved to the southeast of Chico. As I already stated, the sun should come out later today, with highs near 70 degrees. Temps are expected to increase as the week progresses, with lower 70s tomorrow, mid 70s Wednesday through Friday, and near 80 degrees by this weekend. It will feel more like early May than mid-March! Here's Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Today Showers likely before noon. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 68. Light and variable wind becoming northwest 8 to 13 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Tonight Clear, with a low around 42. North northwest wind 5 to 11 mph. Tuesday Sunny, with a high near 72. North wind 7 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Tuesday Night Clear, with a low around 42. North wind 6 to 9 mph. Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 74. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the afternoon. Wednesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 42. Thursday Sunny, with a high near 73. Thursday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 45. Friday Sunny, with a high near 74. Friday Night Clear, with a low around 48. Saturday Sunny, with a high near 79. Saturday Night Clear, with a low around 51. Sunday Sunny, with a high near 77.

one more rain storm

Yesterday was absolutely fabulous weather-wise, with sunshine and a warm high temperature of 71 degrees in Chico. It was also breezy, with northwest winds gusting to 25 mph. Expect a carbon copy of yesterday's weather today, but less of a northerly breeze. The weather will start to change by tomorrow, with increasingly cloudy skies and a chance for afternoon rain. Rain will become steadier by tomorrow night, and the winds will increase from the south to 20 mph. Snow levels will initially be high- above 8000 feet in the Sierra Nevada. By the time the actual front passes through our area Monday morning, snow levels will drop to pass level, with about 6 inches of snow expected there. Chico and other valley locations may see a chance of thunderstorms Monday morning, as the low pressure system behind the front moves through, allowing colder air aloft to interact with warmer air at the surface. That, of course, allows instability in the atmosphere, and that brings the chance for thunderstorms. By Tuesday, all of this wet and stormy weather will be a distant memory, as sunshine returns and with it, warmer temperatures. Highs Tuesday through the end of next week will be in the lower 70s, about five to seven degrees above normal. Here is the detailed seven day forecast for Chico from the National Weather Service: Today Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. East northeast wind around 6 mph becoming south in the morning. Tonight A 10 percent chance of rain after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. East southeast wind around 6 mph becoming calm after midnight. Sunday A chance of rain, with thunderstorms also possible after 4pm. Cloudy, with a high near 64. East southeast wind 7 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. Sunday Night A chance of rain and thunderstorms, then rain likely after 10pm. Cloudy, with a low around 52. Southeast wind 11 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Monday Showers likely, with thunderstorms also possible after 10am. Partly sunny, with a high near 66. East wind 5 to 8 mph becoming north northwest in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Monday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 43. Tuesday Sunny, with a high near 70. Tuesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 46. Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 72. Wednesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 46. Thursday Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. Thursday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 47. Friday Mostly sunny, with a high near 72.

another round of rain

After a brief lull yesterday, more rain comes in later this morning. Another in a parade of Pacific storms will bring rain and breezy conditions through tomorrow. Expect about a half inch of rain and south winds to 25 mph with this latest storm. A break will occur Friday and Saturday before yet another storm invades on Sunday. For now, early next week appears calm. Here's Chico's seven day outlook courtesy of the National Weather Service: Today Rain likely, mainly after 10am. Cloudy, with a high near 65. Southeast wind 7 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. Tonight Rain, with thunderstorms also possible after 10pm. Low around 54. Breezy, with a south southeast wind 14 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Thursday A 50 percent chance of showers, mainly before 4pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 66. South wind 9 to 11 mph. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. Thursday Night A 20 percent chance of showers before 10pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 44. Northeast wind 3 to 5 mph. Friday Sunny, with a high near 69. East northeast wind 6 to 9 mph becoming northwest in the morning. Friday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 44. Saturday Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. Saturday Night A slight chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. Sunday Rain likely. Cloudy, with a high near 63. Sunday Night A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48. Monday A slight chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 66. Monday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 45. Tuesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 67.

rain chances through Thursday

Chico received another half an inch of rain the past 48 hours, bringing the seasonal rainfall total to just over 9 inches. We should be at least to 22 inches by this point in the rainy season, which runs from July 1st through June 30th. Rain is likely tomorrow, and then again late Wednesday, as two more storms roll through the area. A chance of rain will linger into Thursday before drying out Friday and Saturday. A slight chance of rain returns on Sunday. High temperatures will be mainly in the 60s tomorrow through Thursday, warming into the lower 70s with the sunshine on both Friday and Saturday. Overnight lows will range from the mid 40s to mid 50s the next seven days, favoring the warmer end of that temperature range when it is expected to be cloudy and rainy. Here is the specific seven day forecast for Chico from the National Weather Service: Tonight A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. Southeast wind around 14 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. Monday Rain likely, mainly after 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61. South southeast wind 8 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Monday Night Rain likely, mainly before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52. Southeast wind 7 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Tuesday A 20 percent chance of showers before 10am. Partly sunny, with a high near 67. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the morning. Tuesday Night A 40 percent chance of rain after 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. South wind around 6 mph becoming light and variable in the evening. Wednesday A 50 percent chance of rain. Cloudy, with a high near 65. Wednesday Night Rain. Low around 52. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Thursday A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69. Thursday Night A slight chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 45. Friday Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. Friday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 45. Saturday Mostly sunny, with a high near 70.