mild and wet, then sunny and hot

The weaker storm I had mentioned in yesterday's blog post has primarily moved east of us. It dropped only a few sprinkles across the area this morning. The sun has returned at present, and the temperatures have risen from the mid 60s a few hours ago into the mid 70s currently. Winds have also picked up, blowing out of the southeast around 15 mph and gusting to nearly 25 mph. Clouds should increase after sunset this evening as the next, more powerful storm advances towards us. Rain should begin during the overnight hours, especially towards sunrise tomorrow morning. The National Weather Service is still holding to their forecast of up to an inch of rain in the valley (including Chico) and perhaps an inch and a half to two inches of rain in the foothills (such as Paradise and Magalia). Breezy southerly winds will accompany this storm, gusting up to 30 mph. By Tuesday, look for more showery-type weather and highs in the mid 70s with a few more sun breaks than Monday. Wednesday through next weekend look sunny, and high temps will increase from the upper 80s Wednesday to near 100 degrees for next weekend. Talk about whiplash weather- we go from April to July in the space of three days! Here is the latest seven day forecast for Chico from the National Weather Service: Tonight A 50 percent chance of rain. Cloudy, with a low around 61. Southeast wind 14 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. Monday Rain. High near 68. South southeast wind 15 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Monday Night Rain. Low around 60. Southeast wind around 17 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Tuesday Showers, mainly before 11am. High near 76. Southeast wind 13 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Tuesday Night A 30 percent chance of showers before 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. Wednesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Wednesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 62. Thursday Sunny, with a high near 94. Thursday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 65. Friday Sunny and hot, with a high near 98. Friday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 68. Saturday Sunny and hot, with a high near 97.