abnormally dry

Chico has seen about .80" of rain for January 2013. While not the driest January on record, it will go down as one of the driest Januarys. Normally we would see well over five inches of rain during January, typically our wettest month of the year. How dry will February be? I don't know, but looking at the latest seven day forecast, it is starting off pretty dry. There is very little chance for rain over the next seven days, as strong high pressure continues to hold its grip over California. It's funny how we got dumped on in November and December, but then the "spigot" got turned off once we entered a new year. Hopefully the rain comes back soon; otherwise, we might be facing severe water restrictions and a very bad fire season this summer. Here is the dry and very warm seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 35. North northwest wind 3 to 5 mph. Saturday Sunny, with a high near 63. Northwest wind 3 to 6 mph. Saturday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 37. North wind 5 to 7 mph. Sunday Sunny, with a high near 63. West northwest wind 3 to 5 mph. Sunday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 35. Northwest wind around 6 mph becoming northeast in the evening. Monday Sunny, with a high near 63. Monday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 38. Tuesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 61. Tuesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. Wednesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 61. Wednesday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. Thursday A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56. Thursday Night A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35. Friday A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56. Speaking of warm, today's high temperature in Chico was 68 degrees- ten degrees above the average for February 1st. Some of the trees in town are already beginning to bud. I really hope this is not a sign of climate change- less precipitation and warmer temperatures. However, this might become the new normal.