cooling off

Well, we did it again yesterday. Chico registered another high temperature record- 75 degrees at the Chico Airport, smashing the old record of 70 degrees set 30 years ago. We will probably hit another record high today, as it is forecasted to be 73 degrees. The record high for today is 70 degrees, set way back in 1934. Near record highs in the lower 70s through Wednesday will give way to cooler highs in the upper 50s by Thursday, Friday and Saturday. This intense area of high pressure, which has been dominating our weather since at least last October, is finally beginning to break down, allowing cooler and wetter weather conditions to replace it. At least that is the hope, anyway. We have at least a chance of rain and showers Thursday through next Saturday, so fingers crossed that we get some much needed precipitation. Overnight lows will range from the mid 30s to lower 40s through the forecast period. Here is the seven day forecast for Chico from the National Weather Service: Today Sunny, with a high near 73. Northeast wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the morning. Tonight Patchy frost after 4am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 35. Light northeast wind. Monday Patchy frost before 10am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 70. Calm wind becoming west southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Monday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. West wind around 5 mph becoming light and variable in the evening. Tuesday Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71. Light and variable wind. Tuesday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42. Wednesday Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71. Wednesday Night A slight chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. Thursday A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59. Thursday Night A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. Friday A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 58. Friday Night A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37. Saturday A slight chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 59.

perhaps a slight chance of rain by next Thursday?

Perhaps. First, a review of the high temperatures the past three days in Chico and how they compare with the records for those dates. At the Chico State University Farm on Wednesday, January 22nd, the high was 71 degrees, while at the Chico Airport, the high was 68 degrees. Neither of those temperatures broke the record for that date of 75 degrees set in 1968. On Thursday, January 23rd, the high at the Chico State Farm was 77 degrees, and at the Chico Airport, it was 75 degrees; the record high for that date is 75, last set in 1948. The Chico State Farm temperature broke that record, while the high at the airport tied it. Finally, yesterday, January 24th, the high at the farm was 77 degrees; at the airport, it was 73 degrees. The record for that date is 74, set in 1948. The farm's high temp broke the record, while the airport's high was one degree shy of the record. Expect more near record warmth this weekend, with highs both today and tomorrow in the mid 70s. We should be around 57 degrees for the high in late January; this weekend's forecast highs will be running twenty degrees above the average. The record high for January 25th is 70 degrees, set in 1984; the record high for January 26th is also 70 degrees, last set in 1934. Both of those records should be easily broken this weekend. Temperatures will continue to be in the mid 70s through the middle of next week. However, a change in the warm and dry weather pattern is anticipated, as this sprawling high pressure that's been residing in the eastern Pacific Ocean finally begins to break down. The forecast high temperature for Thursday is 70 degrees, while Friday's high is only expected to be in the lower 60s. There is an increasing chance of showers by Thursday, and this chance lingers into next Friday. Right now the forecast states only a slight chance, but we need any chance of rain we can get at this point. So, expect continued warm and dry weather for the short term, but cooler and slightly wetter weather for the long term. Here is Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Today Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. North northeast wind around 6 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 34. Light northeast wind. Sunday Sunny, with a high near 73. North northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the morning. Sunday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 33. Light east northeast wind. Monday Mostly sunny, with a high near 70. East northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the morning. Monday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. Tuesday Partly sunny, with a high near 73. Tuesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 42. Wednesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 74. Wednesday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. Thursday A slight chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 70. Thursday Night A slight chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42. Friday A slight chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 61.

record warmth continues

The high temperature records continue to fall by the wayside. Yesterday's high temperature at the Chico Airport was 72 degrees, breaking the record of 70 degrees set back in 1991. Today's record high of 75 degrees set in 1968 may be in jeopardy, as the high is expected to be in the low to mid 70s. This weather pattern is truly unprecedented, as we have had no significant precipitation since December 7, 2013, and temperature records are being broken almost daily. And, there is no change in this pattern for at least the next seven to ten days. What's even more unbelievable is that some of the trees in Chico are beginning to leaf out- in January! The Sierra Nevada has only 20% of its normal snowpack for this time of year, with even the highest elevations seeing bare ground instead of feet of snow. In addition, fire danger is extremely high, and strong northeast winds are predicted for tomorrow through Saturday for parts of the Sierra and Coast Range mountains. Oy! Hopefully this pattern is a freak, isolated event, and not a harbinger of what's to come as far as climate change. Here is Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Today Patchy frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 72. North northeast wind 5 to 7 mph. Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 33. North wind 6 to 9 mph. Thursday Sunny, with a high near 70. North northeast wind 10 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Thursday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 35. Northeast wind around 11 mph. Friday Sunny, with a high near 67. East northeast wind around 8 mph. Friday Night Patchy frost after 4am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 33. Saturday Patchy frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 69. Saturday Night Patchy frost after 4am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 33. Sunday Patchy frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 73. Sunday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 34. Monday Sunny, with a high near 72. Monday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 34. Tuesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 73.

more record warmth on tap

There were no temperature records broken yesterday in Chico, but the high temperature of 70 degrees at the airport was 15 degrees above the average for the date. Look for more record warmth over the next several days, as highs in the low to mid 70s threaten to break records. Overnight lows will be wintry- in the lower to middle 30s. That's actually below the average of 36 degrees for this time of year. So, we will be below normal for overnight lows, but well above average for highs. Again, no rain is in the forecast. I really wish there was. Here's Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Today Patchy frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 71. Light and variable wind. Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 33. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph after midnight. Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 74. Northwest wind 3 to 8 mph. Wednesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 34. North wind 9 to 11 mph. Thursday Sunny, with a high near 70. Northeast wind 8 to 10 mph. Thursday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 33. Friday Sunny, with a high near 69. Friday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 33. Saturday Sunny, with a high near 69. Saturday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 33. Sunday Sunny, with a high near 72. Sunday Night Clear, with a low around 34. Monday Sunny, with a high near 70.

no relief from the drought

Another temperature record was broken today, when the old record of 70 degrees set in 1971 on this date was surpassed by today's high of 71 degrees. More high temperature records may be in jeopardy this week, as stubborn high pressure continues to provide us with dry conditions and above average temps. Don't expect relief from this drought anytime soon, as no rain is in the forecast for the rest of this month. Governor Jerry Brown issued a drought emergency on Friday, potentially allowing federal aid to help California weather this nasty drought. It is not looking good that we can catch up to normal precipitation levels at this late point in the rainy season, which normally ends in April. I'd be happy with any precipitation we can get. For now, expect very spring-like temps and sunny skies to persist. Some flowering fruit trees, such as pear and cherry, are beginning to bloom in Chico- over a month earlier than usual. Not good, especially if we get a widespread freeze outbreak soon. Right now, overnight lows are hovering right around freezing, but if these trees completely bloom out before we get a strong and persistent cold spell, this could potentially damage these trees. It's just an all around bad situation we're in right now, with no end in sight. Here is Chico's seven day weather forecast from the National Weather Service: Tonight Areas of frost after 4am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 31. Northeast wind 3 to 7 mph. M.L.King Day Areas of frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 71. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable in the afternoon. Monday Night Areas of frost after 4am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 31. North northeast wind 5 to 7 mph. Tuesday Areas of frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 71. Northeast wind 5 to 9 mph becoming calm in the morning. Tuesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 33. Light northeast wind. Wednesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. Wednesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 34. Thursday Sunny, with a high near 70. Thursday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 33. Friday Sunny, with a high near 69. Friday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 32. Saturday Sunny, with a high near 67. Saturday Night Clear, with a low around 32. Sunday Sunny, with a high near 69.

breaking records all over the place

Wow! This warmth is unprecedented! On Wednesday, the high temperature at the Chico Airport was 79 degrees, shattering the old record of 70 set in 2009. Yesterday's high of 77 degrees at the airport also broke the old record of 75 for the date set also in 2009. And, if we get no precipitation for the rest of the month (which, according to the National Weather Service, is looking increasingly likely), January 2014 will be the driest January ever for Chico. January is normally Chico's wettest month. This will also be the fourth January in a row that we've seen below normal precipitation for the month. Just setting records all over the place, and not good records, either. Temperatures should cool off some over the next several days, but they will still be well above the average of 55 degrees. With this very dry air mass in place, the temperature diurnal (the difference between the daytime high and overnight low temperature) will be astounding- as much as a 40 degree difference from the time you wake up until the time you get off work. In addition, the tinder dry conditions are adding fuel (so to speak) to the high fire danger all over California. Fires are burning in Southern California, and the Northstate is also under extreme fire conditions. Please do not toss your lit cigarette butt out of your car window; it may easily start a fire that could grow quickly. So, be careful out there, enjoy the spring weather in January, and pray for rain. Here's Chico's seven day forecast from the NWS: Today Patchy fog before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 70. North wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the morning. Tonight Patchy frost after 4am. Otherwise, clear, with a low around 32. Calm wind becoming north northeast around 5 mph after midnight. Saturday Patchy frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 71. Light north wind. Saturday Night Patchy frost after 4am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 32. Light and variable wind. Sunday Patchy frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 68. Northeast wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the morning. Sunday Night Patchy frost after 4am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 32. M.L.King Day Patchy frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 68. Monday Night Patchy frost after 4am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 32. Tuesday Patchy frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 70. Tuesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 34. Wednesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 69. Wednesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 34. Thursday Mostly sunny, with a high near 67.

feels like April

Is it January or April? It was hard to tell yesterday, as the high temperature in Chico soared into the mid 70s. The record high for January 14th is 77 degrees set way back in 1920; the high temp at the airport was 75 degrees, but at the University Farm it reached 77- thus, tying the 94 year old record. This record warmth and extended dryness will continue the next few days, although it is expected to cool into the 60s for highs by this weekend. We desperately need some precipitation, but it just won't happen. This is due to a high pressure system that is sprawling over the eastern Pacific, causing any storms that would normally affect us this time of year to be shunted to our north. This high pressure shows no signs of moving anytime soon, so we will have to live with no rain or snow for a long while. Meanwhile, the area reservoirs continue to sink to new lows. Time to panic? Maybe not yet, but if we don't get any precipitation between now and March, the state government may have to issue a drought emergency declaration. Let's hope the weather pattern changes soon. For now, here's Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Today Patchy frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 71. Calm wind becoming north around 6 mph in the afternoon. Tonight Patchy frost after 4am. Otherwise, clear, with a low around 31. North wind 3 to 5 mph. Thursday Patchy frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 70. Calm wind becoming north northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Thursday Night Patchy frost after 4am. Otherwise, clear, with a low around 33. North northeast wind around 6 mph. Friday Patchy frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 68. North northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the morning. Friday Night Patchy frost after 4am. Otherwise, clear, with a low around 32. Saturday Patchy frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 67. Saturday Night Patchy frost after 4am. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 33. Sunday Patchy frost before 10am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 63. Sunday Night Patchy frost after 4am. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 32. M.L.King Day Patchy frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 65. Monday Night Patchy fog after 4am. Patchy frost after 4am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 33. Tuesday Patchy fog before 10am. Patchy frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 66.