September heat

As is typical this time of year, we will see a mini- heat wave across Northern California the next few days. The string of above- average temperatures began yesterday, with northerly (re: downsloping) winds helping the high reach 93 degrees in Chico (average for September 6th is 91 degrees). That string will continue through at least the middle of next week, with Monday and Tuesday looking like the hottest days. Highs then will be around 100 degrees in Chico, with highs in Redding topping out near 105. Ugh! Hopefully a cooling pattern will set up by the end of next week, with highs near average. Overnight lows will be warm, as well, with low to mid 60s (we should be in the upper 50s this time of year). Artoberfest kicks off today with Chico Palio, happening in Bidwell Park. It's modeled after the Palio di Siena in Italy, except real horses are not used. Instead, art horses made of various materials are used, with competitors "racing" around a track at Sycamore Field in Lower Bidwell Park. Teams who race compete for prizes, and it's all part of Artoberfest, which begins officially next month. I don't understand why the kick-off to Artoberfest happens this early. Anyway, that's Chico for you. I'll put up a link to this year's Artoberfest on my weather blog home page so you can check out the myriad of happenings celebrating the local arts here in Chico. If attending the Chico Palio today, which starts at noon, wear light colored clothing, as temps will creep into the mid 90s by mid-afternoon. Also wear sunscreen, as brilliant sunshine will dominate. Here's Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Today Sunny, with a high near 93. Northeast wind 5 to 7 mph becoming light and variable. Tonight Clear, with a low around 63. South wind 5 to 7 mph becoming light and variable. Sunday Sunny and hot, with a high near 96. North northeast wind around 6 mph becoming light and variable in the morning. Sunday Night Clear, with a low around 65. Light and variable wind becoming northeast 5 to 7 mph after midnight. Monday Sunny and hot, with a high near 99. Northeast wind around 7 mph becoming west southwest in the morning. Monday Night Clear, with a low around 65. Tuesday Sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Tuesday Night Clear, with a low around 65. Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 93. Wednesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 63. Thursday Sunny, with a high near 93. Thursday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 62. Friday Sunny, with a high near 90.