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.