wet weather approaches

After several weeks of dry weather, an abrupt shift in the pattern is expected today. Light rain will begin later this morning and may become moderate at times this afternoon. This is not a major storm with heavy rain and strong wind, but Chico could still see up to half an inch of rain from this one. Snow levels in the mountains will generally be around 5000 feet, with some local snow levels in the northern Coastal Range down to 4500 feet. This storm will move out by tonight, with dry conditions tomorrow and Friday. Another storm, with colder air, will bring more showers and lower snow levels this weekend. Stay tuned for more info on that as we get closer to the weekend. Here is Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Today Rain, mainly after 10am. High near 53. Calm wind becoming south southeast around 5 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Tonight Showers, mainly before 4am. Low around 39. East southeast wind 6 to 11 mph becoming light and variable after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Thursday A 20 percent chance of showers before 10am. Partly sunny, with a high near 59. Calm wind becoming northwest 5 to 8 mph in the morning. Thursday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 38. Light north northeast wind. Friday A 20 percent chance of rain after 10am. Partly sunny, with a high near 57. North northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the morning. Friday Night Isolated showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Saturday A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56. Saturday Night A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. Sunday A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 54. Sunday Night A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. Monday A slight chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 54. Monday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 32. Tuesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 57.