winter weather returning

Happy Sunday! I was awoken by the flash of lightning followed by the crash of thunder about half an hour ago. I hadn't seen lightning or heard thunder in a long while. I was watching Youtube videos of thunderstorms last night (I know, I'm weird and have no life), and I was longing for the experiences I had as a young'un, watching severe thunderstorms wreak havoc over my house. I just love stormy weather! If you're like me, then you're in luck, as a strong winter storm barrels its way towards Northern California this coming week. Oh, the thunder and lightning I experienced this morning is related to a weak, quick-moving low pressure system coming through Norcal this morning. This storm should be out of here by late morning. Sunshine returns this afternoon (after being almost completely absent yesterday), and stick around through tomorrow. The stronger storm will arrive on Tuesday, bringing with it gusty winds, moderate rain, and snow above 4000 feet. Up to a half a foot of snow is possible in the Sierra Nevada above 4000 feet, with a foot or more above 5000 feet between Tuesday and Thursday. Blizzard conditions are possible in the Sierra Nevada, so plan accordingly if traveling through the mountains this week. In the valley (including Chico), rain will taper to showers Tuesday night, while showers and thunderstorms are possible Wednesday and Thursday. Up to an inch of rain is possible in the valley between late Tuesday and early Thursday. By Friday, sunny and mild weather returns. Here is Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Today A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 64. North wind around 5 mph becoming light and variable in the morning. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 39. Calm wind becoming north northeast around 5 mph in the evening. Monday Sunny, with a high near 66. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 8 mph in the morning. Monday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. Southeast wind around 9 mph. Tuesday Rain likely, mainly after 4pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 63. South southeast wind 10 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Tuesday Night Showers. Low around 41. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Wednesday Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 57. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Wednesday Night A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35. Thursday A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Some of the storms could produce small hail. Partly sunny, with a high near 60. Thursday Night A slight chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 35. Friday Mostly sunny, with a high near 67. Friday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 37. Saturday Sunny, with a high near 70.