the heat is back

Today's high temperature at the Chico State University Farm was 96 degrees, three degrees above the average of 93 for this date. It's going to be even hotter tomorrow and the following few days as high pressure currently over the Desert Southwest moves northward. There will also be a slight chance of a thunderstorm over the Sierra Nevada mountains this weekend, with an increasing chance next week. That's due to monsoonal moisture being pumped northward courtesy of this same high pressure. High temps will dip below 100 by next Tuesday, but still remain hot- upper 90s will be the highs most of next week. Overnight lows will range from the mid 60s to around 70, so not much relief during the overnight hours. You know the heat drill- drink plenty of water; restrict outdoor activities to the early morning or late evening; check on the elderly, children, and pets; and wear plenty of sunscreen. Climatologically speaking, Chico is heading into the hottest time of the year; during late July and early August we see the average high around 94 degrees and overnight lows around 62. By the second week of August, we, on average, begin cooling down. Of course, Mother Nature rarely goes by averages. Stay cool, Chicoans! Here's Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Tonight Clear, with a low around 65. South wind around 6 mph becoming calm after midnight. Friday Sunny and hot, with a high near 102. Calm wind becoming south around 6 mph in the afternoon. Friday Night Clear, with a low around 68. South wind around 6 mph becoming east in the evening. Saturday Sunny and hot, with a high near 105. Light and variable wind. Saturday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 68. South wind around 5 mph becoming east southeast in the evening. Sunday Sunny and hot, with a high near 103. Sunday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. Monday Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 100. Monday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. Tuesday Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 98. Tuesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. Wednesday Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 98. Wednesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 68. Thursday Sunny and hot, with a high near 98.