cold and unsettled, then sunny and hot

The seven day forecast for Northern California has it all- showers, thunderstorms, snow, wind, and heat. Today has been blustery in Chico, with northwesterly winds up to 30 mph at times. It has been noticeably cooler, as well, with highs today in the upper 70s (normals are in the mid 80s this time of year). Expect the blustery, coolish conditions to continue into Friday, with a chance for thunderstorms in the valley and snow above 6000 feet in the northern Sierra Nevada. A Winter Weather Advisory will go into effect at 6 am tomorrow for elevations above 6000 feet. Anywhere from 2 to 6 inches of the white stuff could fall, so if camping in the high country this weekend, be mindful of this. Once this cold core low pressure system moves east on Saturday, dry and warmer weather will return. By the end of next week, we'll be seeing highs in the 90s in Chico. Also, I'm going camping near the Napa Valley this weekend, so there will be no weather posts until next week. Oh, I almost forgot: the Silver Dollar Fair starts tonight at the appropriately named Silver Dollar Fairgrounds. The rides, concerts, livestock exhibits, and cotton candy last through Monday. Here's Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers after 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. Breezy, with a north northwest wind between 17 and 22 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. Friday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 68. North northwest wind between 8 and 11 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers before 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. East northeast wind between 5 and 8 mph becoming calm. Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 74. East northeast wind at 8 mph becoming south southeast. Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 54. South wind around 5 mph becoming east northeast. Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 81. Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 55. Memorial Day: Sunny, with a high near 83. Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 54. Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 85. Tuesday Night: Clear, with a low around 56. Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 89. Wednesday Night: Clear, with a low around 59. Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 90.