some showers, then nice weather

It has been breezy and warm in Chico today, with sunny skies this morning giving way to mostly cloudy skies this afternoon as the front inches closer. Highs so far today have been in the mid 80s, with gusty south winds to 25 mph. There is still a chance of showers overnight tonight (a 30% chance), and a better chance tomorrow (a 70% chance). Winds will decelerate some tonight and then pick back up tomorrow as the actual front moves through. Chico should expect around a quarter of an inch in the rain bucket by late tomorrow afternoon. Some mountain locations could see one to two inches of rain, while elevations above 7500 feet may see a dusting of snow. Temperatures will drop by nearly twenty degrees tomorrow compared to today, with highs only in the mid to upper 60s. Highs climb into the mid 70s Sunday with the return of sunshine. Temps warm into the lower 80s for much of next week, but that's still below average for this time of year (88 degrees). So enjoy the touch of fall as we head into fall- it begins Sunday afternoon local time. Pastels on the Plaza occurs tomorrow at Chico's Downtown Plaza. It's a chance for the community to show their creative side by drawing on the sidewalks bordering the plaza. The weather may not cooperate, as showers are in the forecast. I doubt a little rain will deter attendees from this fun event, however. Here is Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Tonight Scattered showers after 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. South southeast wind 7 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. Saturday Showers likely, with thunderstorms also possible after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 66. South southeast wind 10 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. Saturday Night A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm, then a chance of showers between 8pm and 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 50. South wind 11 to 16 mph becoming light and variable in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 74. Calm wind becoming west northwest 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon. Sunday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 55. Light and variable wind. Monday Sunny, with a high near 81. Monday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 57. Tuesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Tuesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 53. Wednesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. Wednesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 52. Thursday Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Thursday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 53. Friday Mostly sunny, with a high near 82.