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.