warm and dry today, but cooler this weekend

A Red Flag Warning is in effect for the Sacramento Valley (including Chico) until 7 pm this evening. This is due to gusty, dry winds from the northwest combined with very low humidity and warm temperatures that could contribute to dangerous fire potential. Do not do any agricultural or backyard burning today. Highs today will push 90 degrees, 11 degrees above the average of 79 degrees for October 17th. However, this heat will be short-lived as a trough begins to affect our weather by this weekend. There may even be a chance for some rain next week. This could be our first rain of the season. Let's hope it happens, as it is bone dry out there. High temperatures for this weekend will drop into the 70s, while highs next week may not get above 70 degrees! Nice! Bring on the fall weather! Here is Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Today Sunny, with a high near 89. Northwest wind 10 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Tonight Clear, with a low around 49. North wind 6 to 10 mph. Thursday Sunny, with a high near 87. North wind around 6 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Thursday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 51. East southeast wind around 7 mph. Friday Sunny, with a high near 83. Light and variable wind becoming south around 6 mph in the afternoon. Friday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 54.Saturday Mostly sunny, with a high near 76.Saturday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48.Sunday Partly sunny, with a high near 71.Sunday Night A slight chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46.Monday A slight chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 66.Monday Night A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48.Tuesday A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 68.