cooler weather for the weekend

I'm back! I've been dealing with an internet service outage for the past several days which has kept me from posting on my blog. It has been solved and now I can resume blogging about my favorite interest- the weather. The cool down we were expecting for this week never really happened as high temperatures have remained in the mid 90s all this week. However, fingers crossed, we will begin to see highs that are actually below normal beginning this weekend. Oh, another thing we've been dealing with this week- smoke from no less than five major fires burning to the north, northwest, and northeast of Chico. Monday was the worst day for the smoke, as it did not lift all day, causing both visibility and air quality problems. The smoky conditions have improved today with an increased southerly flow, which has allowed the smoke from these wildfires to blow off to the north of us. Hopefully (again, fingers crossed) this will persist through the weekend. One major event (well, more like a series of events under one big event) is Chico Pridefest this weekend. From a dance show at the Chico Women's Club tomorrow night, to the annual Chico AIDS Walk Saturday morning, to the Pridefest itself starting at 10 am Saturday, and wrapping up with a pancake brunch at Children's Park Sunday morning, there is much to celebrate in the LGBTQ+ community. I'm really impressed with the relatively small but powerful LGBTQ+ community in Chico; it has grown by leaps and bounds in the ten years I have lived here. I will be at the AIDS Walk and will also attend the Pridefest this weekend. It should be lovely weather for these happenings. Here is Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Tonight Clear, with a low around 61. South southeast wind 5 to 9 mph becoming calm after midnight. Friday Sunny, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Friday Night Clear, with a low around 59. South southeast wind 5 to 8 mph becoming calm after midnight. Saturday Sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Saturday Night Clear, with a low around 58. Southeast wind 8 to 10 mph. Sunday Sunny, with a high near 89. Sunday Night Clear, with a low around 61. Monday Sunny, with a high near 88. Monday Night Clear, with a low around 63. Tuesday Sunny, with a high near 89. Tuesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 62. Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 90. Wednesday Night Clear, with a low around 64. Thursday Sunny, with a high near 92.

cooling off

The high temperatures the past couple of days in Chico have been in the upper 90s (99 degrees both Wednesday and Thursday). That should be the high today, as well, before the Delta breeze finally kicks in this weekend. This will cool off the temperatures a bit (mid 90s instead of upper 90s), and also hopefully blow some of the smoke from these wildfires out of our area. There are numerous forest fires burning across the Northstate, affecting both visibility and air quality in our region the past couple of weeks. Sometimes we simply have to wait until the rains come in the fall to put out these fires. Unfortunately, we often don't see rain until mid October, at the earliest. We often have to live with the smoke when these fires burn. It's just part of living here in the West. I'm glad the temperatures are cooling off to around normal the next several days. Hopefully we can get out and do some fun outdoor activities this weekend! Here is Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: This Afternoon Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 99. South wind around 6 mph. Tonight Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. South southeast wind around 7 mph. Saturday Partly sunny, with a high near 95. Calm wind becoming south 5 to 8 mph in the afternoon. Saturday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. East southeast wind around 9 mph. Sunday Sunny, with a high near 95. Light and variable wind. Sunday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 64. Monday Sunny and hot, with a high near 96. Monday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 64. Tuesday Sunny, with a high near 91. Tuesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 62. Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 90. Wednesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 60. Thursday Sunny, with a high near 91.

the string has been broken

The number of consecutive days at or above 100 degrees for this year stands at six. It ended yesterday as the high temperature at both the airport and the university farm was 99 degrees. We should see one more day over the next seven at or above 100, on Thursday. Otherwise, look for highs mainly in the low to mid 90s through the period. A weak area of low pressure is currently moving through the area, so a slight chance of sprinkles is possible this morning. Looking ahead to next week, the highs should only reach 91-92 degrees in Chico. I was joking with my husband that we're going to need the sweaters and long pants for that! Here is the (less hot) forecast from the National Weather Service: Today Isolated sprinkles before 11am. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 99. Light east southeast wind becoming south southeast 5 to 9 mph in the morning. Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 67. Southeast wind 5 to 8 mph. Thursday Sunny and hot, with a high near 101. Light and variable wind. Thursday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 67. Light and variable wind becoming east around 5 mph after midnight. Friday Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 98. Calm wind becoming west southwest around 6 mph in the afternoon. Friday Night A slight chance of sprinkles. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. Saturday A slight chance of sprinkles. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Saturday Night A slight chance of sprinkles. Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. Sunday Sunny, with a high near 94. Sunday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 62. Monday Sunny, with a high near 91. Monday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 61. Tuesday Sunny, with a high near 92.

this heat is intense

Yesterday's high temperature at the Chico Airport was 108 degrees- by far the hottest day of this year and the hottest we've seen since 2008. Amazingly, it was not a record high temperature, but still hot. Yesterday was also the sixth day in a row of triple digit heat. Expect much of the same today as a strong ridge of high pressure is currently dominating our weather. We may see 100+ degrees through Friday; if this happens, that will make 10 consecutive days of seeing triple digit temperatures, something not achieved since 2006. To add insult to injury, the Chips fire is burning almost out of control to our northeast, bringing us smoky conditions during the morning and early afternoon. What's worse, monsoonal moisture is invading from the south, bringing an increased chance of thunderstorms over the Sierra Nevada mountains today and tomorrow. That could mean lightning strikes, which could cause additional fires. Not good. Just all around bad weather happening right now. I can't wait for fall and the first cooling rain of the season. Here is Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Today Sunny and hot, with a high near 108. Calm wind becoming southwest around 6 mph in the morning. Tonight Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. Light and variable wind becoming southeast 5 to 9 mph after midnight. Wednesday Sunny and hot, with a high near 102. South wind 3 to 7 mph. Wednesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 69. East southeast wind around 6 mph. Thursday Sunny and hot, with a high near 102. Calm wind becoming south southwest around 6 mph in the afternoon. Thursday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 68. Friday Sunny and hot, with a high near 101. Friday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. Saturday Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. Saturday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 65. Sunday Sunny, with a high near 95. Sunday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 64. Monday Sunny, with a high near 91.

smoke and heat

Ah, yes, northern California this time of year is wonderful: the smoke from nearby raging forest fires, the triple digit heat. What's not to love? Seriously, the smoke and heat are becoming tiring. But, it looks like both will stay for awhile as high pressure stays firmly entrenched. Triple digit heat could remain through at least Thursday. If so, it will make eight consecutive days of 100+ degree temperatures. That hasn't happened since July 2006, when we had 11 straight days of triple digit heat. I remember it well; that was the first big weather story I covered in my then fledgling blog. Hard to believe I've had this blog for over six years. I started this blog at Weather Underground, then moved it over to Blogger in 2009 after ongoing technical difficulties at Weather Underground. Anyway, the smoke will also linger as the Chips fire is now over 30,000 acres and growing. It's currently only 8% contained, with full containment not expected until August 31st. Expect smoky conditions in the morning and triple digit heat in the afternoon the next three to five days. A lovely vacation spot, don't you think? Here is Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Today Sunny and hot, with a high near 105. Calm wind becoming south 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon. Tonight Clear, with a low around 62. Southeast wind 3 to 8 mph. Monday Sunny and hot, with a high near 105. Calm wind becoming south southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Monday Night Clear, with a low around 65. South wind around 5 mph becoming light and variable in the evening. Tuesday Sunny and hot, with a high near 105. Calm wind. Tuesday Night Clear, with a low around 62. Wednesday Sunny and hot, with a high near 102. Wednesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 60. Thursday Sunny and hot, with a high near 100. Thursday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 61. Friday Sunny and hot, with a high near 99. Friday Night Clear, with a low around 60. Saturday Sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Oh, I forgot to record yesterday's high temps in Chico: 104 degrees at the Chico Airport and 106 degrees at the Chico State University Farm. It's hot!

hot weather continues into next week

Yesterday was day three of 100+ degree heat in Chico, with the high at Chico Airport at 102, and 104 at the Chico State Farm on the city's south side. It'll be even hotter today and tomorrow, and combined with the smoke from the Chips fire to our northeast, it is not a good time to be outdoors. The weather trend the past few days has been heavy smoke in the morning, and then the air gets mixed up enough due to mid-level winds to blow the smoke out and allow the sun to heat the ground. This, of course, results in triple digit heat between the hours of 3-6 pm. Expect this trend to continue today and tomorrow. Right now the smoke is fairly intense, and the air is pungent with the smell of burning wood. Yuck. Here is Chico's hot seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Today Sunny and hot, with a high near 105. Calm wind becoming south 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon. Tonight Clear, with a low around 63. South wind 5 to 8 mph becoming light and variable after midnight. Sunday Sunny and hot, with a high near 105. Calm wind becoming south southeast 5 to 8 mph in the afternoon. Sunday Night Clear, with a low around 63. Southeast wind 5 to 8 mph. Monday Sunny and hot, with a high near 103. Calm wind. Monday Night Clear, with a low around 62. Tuesday Sunny and hot, with a high near 101. Tuesday Night Clear, with a low around 61. Wednesday Sunny and hot, with a high near 101. Wednesday Night Clear, with a low around 60. Thursday Sunny and hot, with a high near 98. Thursday Night Clear, with a low around 60. Friday Sunny, with a high near 94.

Flex Alert in effect due to heat wave

The State of California has issued a Flex Alert through Sunday for all California residents. This means that residents are urged to keep their home thermostats at 78 degrees when home and 80 degrees when away and not use any major appliances until after 6 pm. Otherwise, brownouts could occur. That would not be good, especially during the middle of the day when temperatures are above 100 degrees. The heat wave continues today- day three of triple digit temperatures. Yesterday's high in Chico was 103, and it looks like we could match or exceed that today in much of the Sacramento Valley. Even the Sierra Nevada mountains will see highs in the 90s today! Speaking of the mountains, the Chips fire has grown to nearly 20,000 acres and is only 10 percent contained. Every morning for the past week, I have been greeted with the smell of smoke when stepping outside. I should get used to it; the fire is not expected to be fully contained until August 31st. Summer in Northern California- gotta love it! Here is Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Today Sunny and hot, with a high near 102. Light and variable wind becoming southwest around 6 mph in the morning. Tonight Clear, with a low around 67. Southeast wind around 6 mph becoming calm after midnight. Saturday Sunny and hot, with a high near 103. Calm wind becoming south 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon. Saturday Night Clear, with a low around 69. Southeast wind around 8 mph. Sunday Sunny and hot, with a high near 103. Calm wind becoming west southwest around 6 mph in the afternoon. Sunday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 66. Monday Sunny and hot, with a high near 101. Monday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 67. Tuesday Sunny and hot, with a high near 100. Tuesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 65. Wednesday Sunny and hot, with a high near 100. Wednesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 65. Thursday Sunny and hot, with a high near 99.