rain increasingly likely

There is more confidence based on computer forecast models that we here in the Northstate will be affected by this storm that is currently bringing heavy rain and wind to parts of the Pacific Northwest. Today should be sunny all day, but clouds will increase overnight tonight and showers may begin as soon as tomorrow afternoon. Winds will also increase, gusting 25-30 mph tomorrow afternoon and evening. Remnants of tropical typhoon Pabuk have been caught up in a powerful jet stream. Those remnants have been carried across the vast Pacific Ocean from the coast of Japan. These remnants of Pabuk are the reason for the winds and rain. I am continually fascinated by weather. It's amazing that a storm that affected an area thousands of miles away can end up impacting our weather here. Anyway, prepare for some wet and breezy weather the next 36-48 hours. The rest of the seven day forecast looks sunny and mild, with highs ranging from the low 70s Monday to the low 80s by next Friday. Here's the specific forecast for Chico from the National Weather Service: Today Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. Light east wind becoming south southeast 8 to 13 mph in the afternoon. Tonight Partly cloudy, with a low around 57. Southeast wind 8 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Sunday A slight chance of rain before noon, then a chance of showers after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 73. Southeast wind 11 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Sunday Night Showers likely before midnight, then a chance of rain after midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 59. South southeast wind around 17 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. Monday A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72. South southeast wind 8 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Monday Night A 20 percent chance of showers before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 54. Tuesday Sunny, with a high near 74. Tuesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 54. Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 77. Wednesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 52. Thursday Sunny, with a high near 78. Thursday Night Clear, with a low around 54. Friday Sunny, with a high near 81.