From the National Weather Service:
ANOTHER STORM SYSTEM WILL SPREAD VALLEY RAIN AND MOUNTAIN SNOW
ACROSS THE INTERIOR OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA BY THE MIDDLE OF THE
WEEK. ALTHOUGH LIGHT SNOW SHOWERS MAY PRECEDE THE STORM SYSTEM ON
TUESDAY OVER THE SHASTA COUNTY MOUNTAINS...THE MAIN STORM SYSTEM
WILL HAVE ITS GREATEST IMPACT ACROSS THE REGION TUESDAY NIGHT AND
WEDNESDAY.
PERIODS OF RAIN AND GUSTY WINDS ARE POSSIBLE IN THE CENTRAL VALLEY
LATE TUESDAY NIGHT AND WEDNESDAY MORNING...WITH HEAVY SNOW IN THE
MOUNTAINS ABOVE 4000 TO 5000 FEET. SNOW LEVELS MAY LOWER TO AROUND
2000 FEET LATE WEDNESDAY NIGHT OVER THE SHASTA COUNTY MOUNTAINS...
THOUGH MUCH OF THE PRECIPITATION SHOULD BE TAPERING OFF BY THEN.
PRELIMINARY ESTIMATES FOR SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS ARE UP TO 2 FEET
ABOVE 7000 FEET WITH 6 INCHES TO A FOOT POSSIBLE FROM 4000 TO 5000
FEET. A HALF INCH TO AN INCH OF RAIN IS POSSIBLE IN THE
SACRAMENTO VALLEY WITH HIGHER AMOUNTS IN THE MOUNTAINS NORTH OF
REDDING. SOUTH WIND GUSTS IN EXCESS OF 40 MPH ARE POSSIBLE TUESDAY
NIGHT AND WEDNESDAY. WIND MAY GUST OVER 50 MPH ACROSS THE HIGHER
MOUNTAIN PASSES...CREATING AREAS OF REDUCED VISIBILITY IN BLOWING
SNOW.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
update on potential for stormy weather
From the National Weather Service:
A WARMER STORM WILL IMPACT THE REGION TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH
WEDNESDAY NIGHT...
ANOTHER STORM SYSTEM WILL SPREAD VALLEY RAIN AND MOUNTAIN SNOW
ACROSS THE REGION BY MID WEEK. LIGHT SNOW SHOWERS MAY IMPACT THE
MOUNTAINS FROM INTERSTATE 80 NORTH MONDAY AND MONDAY NIGHT. LIGHT
RAIN MAY ALSO FALL FROM REDDING TO SACRAMENTO. THE MAIN STORM
SYSTEM WILL HAVE ITS GREATEST IMPACT ACROSS THE REGION TUESDAY
NIGHT AND WEDNESDAY. PERIODS OF RAIN AND GUSTY WIND ARE POSSIBLE
IN THE VALLEYS. HEAVY SNOW IS POSSIBLE ABOVE 4000 FEET. A COLD
FRONT MAY LOWER SNOW LEVELS TO 2000 FEET LATE WEDNESDAY NIGHT.
MUCH OF THE PRECIPITATION SHOULD BE TAPERING OFF BY THEN.
PRELIMINARY ESTIMATES FOR SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS ARE TWO FEET OR
MORE ABOVE 7000 FEET AND UP TO A FOOT ABOVE 5000 FEET BY WEDNESDAY
NIGHT. AN INCH OF RAIN IS POSSIBLE IN THE SACRAMENTO VALLEY WITH
HIGHER AMOUNTS IN THE SHASTA DRAINAGE. SOUTH WIND GUSTS IN EXCESS
OF 35 MPH ARE POSSIBLE TUESDAY NIGHT AND WEDNESDAY. WIND MAY GUST
OVER 60 MPH ACROSS THE HIGHER MOUNTAIN PASSES...CREATING AREAS OF
REDUCED VISIBILITY IN BLOWING SNOW.
CONTINUE TO MONITOR NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORECASTS FOR
UPDATES ON THIS DEVELOPING STORM SYSTEM.
A WARMER STORM WILL IMPACT THE REGION TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH
WEDNESDAY NIGHT...
ANOTHER STORM SYSTEM WILL SPREAD VALLEY RAIN AND MOUNTAIN SNOW
ACROSS THE REGION BY MID WEEK. LIGHT SNOW SHOWERS MAY IMPACT THE
MOUNTAINS FROM INTERSTATE 80 NORTH MONDAY AND MONDAY NIGHT. LIGHT
RAIN MAY ALSO FALL FROM REDDING TO SACRAMENTO. THE MAIN STORM
SYSTEM WILL HAVE ITS GREATEST IMPACT ACROSS THE REGION TUESDAY
NIGHT AND WEDNESDAY. PERIODS OF RAIN AND GUSTY WIND ARE POSSIBLE
IN THE VALLEYS. HEAVY SNOW IS POSSIBLE ABOVE 4000 FEET. A COLD
FRONT MAY LOWER SNOW LEVELS TO 2000 FEET LATE WEDNESDAY NIGHT.
MUCH OF THE PRECIPITATION SHOULD BE TAPERING OFF BY THEN.
PRELIMINARY ESTIMATES FOR SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS ARE TWO FEET OR
MORE ABOVE 7000 FEET AND UP TO A FOOT ABOVE 5000 FEET BY WEDNESDAY
NIGHT. AN INCH OF RAIN IS POSSIBLE IN THE SACRAMENTO VALLEY WITH
HIGHER AMOUNTS IN THE SHASTA DRAINAGE. SOUTH WIND GUSTS IN EXCESS
OF 35 MPH ARE POSSIBLE TUESDAY NIGHT AND WEDNESDAY. WIND MAY GUST
OVER 60 MPH ACROSS THE HIGHER MOUNTAIN PASSES...CREATING AREAS OF
REDUCED VISIBILITY IN BLOWING SNOW.
CONTINUE TO MONITOR NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORECASTS FOR
UPDATES ON THIS DEVELOPING STORM SYSTEM.
cold, then stormy
It was another frosty morning in Chico this morning, as the low temperature fell to 27 degrees. Yesterday's morning low in Chico was 28 degrees. I hope the almond, pear, and apricot trees can survive this recent cold snap. Temperatures will moderate quickly as another storm system moves in from the Pacific. This storm does not originate from the Gulf of Alaska like the previous one, so it won't be quite as cold this go-around. However, temperatures are not expected to be as warm as previously thought (the National Weather Service was forecasting highs in Chico this upcoming week in the 60s; now they're saying low to mid 50s), so moderately low snow levels are predicted once again this week. The storm will hit around the middle of the week, and there is a fairly large wind field accompanying it. Even though the main part of the storm will not affect us until Wednesday, breezy conditions are expected as soon as tomorrow. Southerly winds of 10-20 mph are in the forecast for tomorrow and Tuesday, with highs both days in the low to mid 50s. We should be in the lower 60s for highs by this time of year. It's too soon to predict exact wind speeds for Wednesday, but the NWS stated in its daily bulletin to expect windy conditions with this upcoming storm, as well as moderate rainfall and low snow levels. After a quiet January and early February, Mother Nature is more than making up for our lack of winter weather this year! Here's the detailed Chico forecast from the NWS:
Today: Areas of frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 54. Calm wind becoming south southeast between 6 and 9 mph.
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. Southeast wind between 11 and 14 mph.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 52. South southeast wind between 13 and 16 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.
Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. South southeast wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 57. South southeast wind between 10 and 13 mph.
Tuesday Night: A 50 percent chance of rain. Cloudy, with a low around 41.
Wednesday: Rain. High near 54. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Wednesday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40.
Thursday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 54.
Thursday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38.
Friday: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59.
Friday Night: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43.
Saturday: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59.
Today: Areas of frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 54. Calm wind becoming south southeast between 6 and 9 mph.
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. Southeast wind between 11 and 14 mph.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 52. South southeast wind between 13 and 16 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.
Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. South southeast wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 57. South southeast wind between 10 and 13 mph.
Tuesday Night: A 50 percent chance of rain. Cloudy, with a low around 41.
Wednesday: Rain. High near 54. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Wednesday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40.
Thursday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 54.
Thursday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38.
Friday: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59.
Friday Night: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43.
Saturday: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
latest advisories from the NWS
A FREEZE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM PST THIS MORNING. A
HARD FREEZE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM TO 9 AM PST
SUNDAY.
* TEMPERATURES THIS WEEKEND: UPPER 20S TO LOWER 30S THIS MORNING
AND MID TO UPPER 20S ON SUNDAY MORNING FOR THE CENTRAL VALLEY.
MANY FOOTHILL LOCATIONS BELOW 2000 FEET WILL HAVE TEMPERATURES
IN THE LOW TO MID 20S BOTH MORNINGS.
* FREEZE TIMING: BETWEEN 3 AM AND 9 AM.
* FREEZE LOCATIONS INCLUDE: REDDING... RED BLUFF... CHICO...
MARYSVILLE... SACRAMENTO... STOCKTON... MODESTO...LAKEPORT...
PARADISE... AND AUBURN.
* COLD TEMPERATURE IMPACTS: DAMAGE POSSIBLE TO APRICOTS...
ALMONDS...PLUMS AND PEACHES IN THEIR BUDDING AND FLOWERING
STAGE. ICY CONDITIONS FORMING ON ROADS WHERE ROADS ARE WET.
EXPOSED PIPES COULD FREEZE AND BURST.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A HARD FREEZE WARNING MEANS SUB-FREEZING TEMPERATURES ARE
POSSIBLE WITH TEMPERATURES BELOW 28 DEGREES FOR 3 TO 5 HOURS.
THESE CONDITIONS COULD DAMAGE CROPS AND OTHER SENSITIVE
VEGETATION. PEOPLE AND PETS SHOULD BE INSIDE SHELTER DURING THE
COLDEST PART OF THE NIGHT AND MORNING HOURS.
HARD FREEZE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM TO 9 AM PST
SUNDAY.
* TEMPERATURES THIS WEEKEND: UPPER 20S TO LOWER 30S THIS MORNING
AND MID TO UPPER 20S ON SUNDAY MORNING FOR THE CENTRAL VALLEY.
MANY FOOTHILL LOCATIONS BELOW 2000 FEET WILL HAVE TEMPERATURES
IN THE LOW TO MID 20S BOTH MORNINGS.
* FREEZE TIMING: BETWEEN 3 AM AND 9 AM.
* FREEZE LOCATIONS INCLUDE: REDDING... RED BLUFF... CHICO...
MARYSVILLE... SACRAMENTO... STOCKTON... MODESTO...LAKEPORT...
PARADISE... AND AUBURN.
* COLD TEMPERATURE IMPACTS: DAMAGE POSSIBLE TO APRICOTS...
ALMONDS...PLUMS AND PEACHES IN THEIR BUDDING AND FLOWERING
STAGE. ICY CONDITIONS FORMING ON ROADS WHERE ROADS ARE WET.
EXPOSED PIPES COULD FREEZE AND BURST.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A HARD FREEZE WARNING MEANS SUB-FREEZING TEMPERATURES ARE
POSSIBLE WITH TEMPERATURES BELOW 28 DEGREES FOR 3 TO 5 HOURS.
THESE CONDITIONS COULD DAMAGE CROPS AND OTHER SENSITIVE
VEGETATION. PEOPLE AND PETS SHOULD BE INSIDE SHELTER DURING THE
COLDEST PART OF THE NIGHT AND MORNING HOURS.
Friday, February 25, 2011
pics of unusual weather
I just wanted to share a few photos of the weird weather we've had today. All three photos were taken from my house eight miles east of Chico in the Sierra Nevada foothills. The top two photos are of sleet and snow that fell just a few minutes ago from the line of thunderstorms that pushed through Chico earlier. The bottom photo was taken earlier this morning of the two inches of snow that fell at my house, el. 1500 feet. As I type this it is snowing lightly again. Weird weather!
lots of exciting weather
Well, exciting for these parts, anyway. Snow actually fell in Chico this morning! Nothing accumulated, but big, wet flakes of snow fell for about 20 minutes right before 8 am this morning. In nearly nine years of living here, I've never seen it snow in Chico. It's not unheard of, however. About fifteen years ago, three inches of the white stuff fell on Chico. Paradise, to the east of Chico, saw anywhere from 5-12 inches of snow with this latest storm. Meanwhile, a line of heavy showers and thunderstorms, capable of producing lightning and small hail, are moving east at 20 mph right towards Chico. The heaviest thunderstorms were about 25 miles north of Chico, so if heading north on highway 99 out of Chico, be aware you may run right into this line of heavy rain. Also, a Hard Freeze Watch is in effect for early Saturday and Sunday mornings. Low temps in the 20s both mornings will cause damage to the flowering almond, apricot, and pear trees. Wrap those exposed water pipes because they are likely to burst otherwise. Wow, heavy rain, snow, thunderstorms, and sub-freezing weather, all within 24 hours. How exciting! Here's the detailed forecast for Chico from the National Weather Service:
This Afternoon: Rain likely, mainly before 4pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 40. South wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Tonight: A chance of rain before 10pm, then rain and snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. Calm wind becoming north northwest around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Saturday: A chance of rain and snow before 10am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 45. North northwest wind between 6 and 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 27. North wind around 7 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 43. East northeast wind 5 to 7 mph becoming south southeast.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 39.
Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 54.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38.
Tuesday: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 57.
Tuesday Night: Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40.
Wednesday: Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59.
Wednesday Night: Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41.
Thursday: Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60.
This Afternoon: Rain likely, mainly before 4pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 40. South wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Tonight: A chance of rain before 10pm, then rain and snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. Calm wind becoming north northwest around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Saturday: A chance of rain and snow before 10am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 45. North northwest wind between 6 and 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 27. North wind around 7 mph.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 43. East northeast wind 5 to 7 mph becoming south southeast.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 39.
Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 54.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38.
Tuesday: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 57.
Tuesday Night: Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40.
Wednesday: Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59.
Wednesday Night: Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41.
Thursday: Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
update on winter advisories
It appears the National Weather Service was off on their timing. Now the Winter Storm Warning and the Winter Weather Advisory go into effect beginning at 4am tomorrow. More details from the NWS:
WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM PST SATURDAY
ABOVE 2000 FEET...
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM FRIDAY TO 4 AM PST
SATURDAY BELOW 2000 FEET...
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SACRAMENTO HAS ISSUED A WINTER
WEATHER ADVISORY BELOW 2000 FEET FOR SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT
FROM 4 AM FRIDAY TO 4 AM PST SATURDAY. A WINTER STORM WARNING
ABOVE 2000 FEET REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM PST SATURDAY.
* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: 2 TO 5 INCHES BETWEEN 1000 AND 2000 FEET
BETWEEN FRIDAY AND SATURDAY MORNINGS. SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF A
FOOT OR MORE BETWEEN 2000 AND 3000 FEET THROUGH SATURDAY
MORNING.
* ELEVATION: SNOW LEVELS 2000 FEET TONIGHT DROPPING TO BELOW 1500
FEET ON FRIDAY AND TO OR BELOW 1000 FEET ON FRIDAY NIGHT.
* TIMING: PRECIPITATION WILL CONTINUE THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING.
* LOCATIONS INCLUDE: GRASS VALLEY...JACKSON AND SONORA
* WINDS: SOUTHERLY 10 TO 20 MPH.
* IMPACTS: SIGNIFICANT SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS POSSIBLE AT
UNUSUALLY LOW ELEVATION. HAZARDOUS TRAVEL CONDITIONS
POSSIBLE. POSSIBLE POWER OUTAGES.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE
EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. STRONG WINDS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE. THIS WILL
MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR IMPOSSIBLE.
A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW WILL CAUSE
TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SLIPPERY ROADS AND LIMITED
VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE DRIVING.
WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM PST SATURDAY
ABOVE 2000 FEET...
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM FRIDAY TO 4 AM PST
SATURDAY BELOW 2000 FEET...
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SACRAMENTO HAS ISSUED A WINTER
WEATHER ADVISORY BELOW 2000 FEET FOR SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT
FROM 4 AM FRIDAY TO 4 AM PST SATURDAY. A WINTER STORM WARNING
ABOVE 2000 FEET REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM PST SATURDAY.
* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: 2 TO 5 INCHES BETWEEN 1000 AND 2000 FEET
BETWEEN FRIDAY AND SATURDAY MORNINGS. SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF A
FOOT OR MORE BETWEEN 2000 AND 3000 FEET THROUGH SATURDAY
MORNING.
* ELEVATION: SNOW LEVELS 2000 FEET TONIGHT DROPPING TO BELOW 1500
FEET ON FRIDAY AND TO OR BELOW 1000 FEET ON FRIDAY NIGHT.
* TIMING: PRECIPITATION WILL CONTINUE THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING.
* LOCATIONS INCLUDE: GRASS VALLEY...JACKSON AND SONORA
* WINDS: SOUTHERLY 10 TO 20 MPH.
* IMPACTS: SIGNIFICANT SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS POSSIBLE AT
UNUSUALLY LOW ELEVATION. HAZARDOUS TRAVEL CONDITIONS
POSSIBLE. POSSIBLE POWER OUTAGES.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE
EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. STRONG WINDS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE. THIS WILL
MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR IMPOSSIBLE.
A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW WILL CAUSE
TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SLIPPERY ROADS AND LIMITED
VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE DRIVING.
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