now it looks dry for the next week

Good news for sun worshippers! It looks like the next seven days look dry and sunny! And the temperatures will finally moderate to around normal levels! We should be in the mid 50s for highs this time of year. It has felt very chilly the past couple of weeks, especially with the rain and wind. Now we're entering a quiet period weather wise, so expect some nice weather for the next several days. The weather for New Year's Eve festivities should be nice if you plan on being out and about tonight. Temperatures at midnight in Chico should be in the 30s; a bit on the chilly side, so bundle up. However, there will be no rain, so no need to bring the umbrella. The Polar Bear Plunge is tomorrow at 12:30 pm at Sycamore Pool in Lower Bidwell Park. I don't know what the water temperature in the pool is right now, but I am reasonably confident it is COLD! The air temperature for the Plunge should be in the mid to upper 40s. Brrr!! I applaud those brave enough to don Speedos and jump into the cold water. I know I couldn't do it. It's a fun way to ring in the new year, though. Have a safe and happy 2013, everyone! Here's Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Today Areas of frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 52. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the morning. Tonight Patchy frost after 10pm. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 24. Calm wind. New Year's Day Areas of frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 51. Calm wind becoming northwest 5 to 8 mph in the morning. Tuesday Night Patchy frost after 10pm. Otherwise, clear, with a low around 26. North wind 3 to 5 mph. Wednesday Areas of frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 54. Light west wind. Wednesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 26. Thursday Mostly sunny, with a high near 51. Thursday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 33. Friday Mostly sunny, with a high near 53. Friday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37. Saturday Mostly sunny, with a high near 54. Saturday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37. Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 55.

no new storms on the horizon

It's been pretty quiet weather in Chico the past few days. Despite the high thin clouds yesterday, it was still nice weather. The visibility was excellent, as one could see the snow-covered Trinity Alps west of Redding from Chico, over 100 miles away. Both the Sierra Nevada mountains to the east, and the Coast Mountains to the west, are covered in snow. The snow-covered mountains were very pretty against the (mainly) blue skies yesterday. Quiet weather should persist for the next few days, with below normal highs and lows for temperatures. The next chance for showers arrives towards the end of next week, and may persist into next weekend. For now, enjoy the sunny, albeit chilly weather the next few days. Here's Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Today Patchy fog before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 50. North northwest wind 5 to 7 mph. Tonight Patchy frost after 10pm. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 28. Calm wind becoming north northwest around 5 mph after midnight. Monday Patchy frost before 10am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 49. Light west northwest wind. Monday Night Patchy fog after 4am. Patchy frost after 4am. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 28. Light north wind. New Year's Day Patchy fog before 10am. Patchy frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 51. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph in the morning. Tuesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 29. Wednesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 50. Wednesday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. Thursday A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 51. Thursday Night A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. Friday A slight chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 52. 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 52. I'll update the New Year's Eve forecast in my next blog entry tomorrow.

so far it looks dry for New Year's

Yesterday was sunny, albeit slightly chilly, with highs right around 50 degrees in Chico. Today will be less sunny and more cloudy, as a weak cold front moves through over the next 24 hours. There is a slight chance of rain this afternoon, a better chance of rain overnight tonight, and a diminishing chance tomorrow as skies turn partly sunny tomorrow afternoon. Right now the weather looks dry for New Year's Eve celebrations, but it will be chilly. I predict temps around midnight on New Year's Day will be on either side of 40 degrees, so wear a coat to keep warm if out and about celebrating. The next chance for rain appears to be next Wednesday night and into Thursday. Have a great last weekend of 2012! Here is Chico's forecast from the National Weather Service: Today A 30 percent chance of rain, mainly after 4pm. Patchy fog before 10am. Patchy frost before 10am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 47. Light and variable wind. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. Tonight A 50 percent chance of showers, mainly before 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. North wind around 5 mph. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. Saturday A 20 percent chance of showers before 10am. Partly sunny, with a high near 49. Northwest wind around 6 mph. Saturday Night Patchy frost after 4am. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 32. Light northeast wind. Sunday Patchy frost before 10am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 49. Calm wind becoming north around 6 mph in the morning. Sunday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 30. Monday Mostly sunny, with a high near 49. Monday Night A slight chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 35. New Year's Day Mostly sunny, with a high near 50. Tuesday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37. Wednesday Mostly cloudy, with a high near 51. Wednesday Night A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. Thursday A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 51.

slight chance of rain for the weekend

Chico received about half an inch of rain from yesterday's storm. Winds were not much of a factor, as they only gusted to around 20 mph at times. This storm will linger through today, but will move out overnight tonight. This will allow us to dry out for the day tomorrow before another chance of rain enters for Friday and Saturday. These chances of rain for this weekend are slight, however, and most areas may not see much of any rain at all. Sunday through New Year's Day look sunny and mild, with highs in the 50s. Here is Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Today Showers likely, mainly before 4pm. Cloudy, with a high near 49. Calm wind becoming south southeast 5 to 7 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. Tonight A 40 percent chance of showers, mainly before 10pm. Areas of frost after 4am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. Calm wind. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. Thursday Areas of frost before 10am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 49. Northwest wind 3 to 7 mph. Thursday Night Patchy fog after 10pm. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 31. North wind 3 to 6 mph. Friday A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 48. Light northwest wind. Friday Night A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. Saturday A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 49. Saturday Night A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 50. Sunday Night Clear, with a low around 36. Monday Sunny, with a high near 52. Monday Night Clear, with a low around 33. New Year's Day Sunny, with a high near 54.

more rain for Christmas

Merry Christmas Eve! That storm we had yesterday was awesome! Winds gusted to nearly 50 mph in Chico, and .71 of an inch of rain fell in the city. My power went out around 1:30 yesterday afternoon, just as the storm was beginning to wind down. Frankly, I'm surprised the power did not go out sooner, as the winds had been blowing since around 4 am. We get a much- needed break from the storminess today, as sunshine returns. Currently in Chico it is a chilly 39 degrees, with some scattered frost and patchy fog in some outlying areas. Once the sun rises about ten minutes from now, temps will respond and warm into the upper 40s to lower 50s by this afternoon. Another storm arrives tomorrow, with some gusty winds, as well (though not nearly as strong as yesterday's winds). This next storm will be out of here by Wednesday, and we should see a nice stretch of dry, sunny weather after that. High temperatures through the end of this week will remain in the upper 40s, with lower to middle 50s for the weekend. Nice! I want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas, and thanks again for reading my blog this year. I hope it has been entertaining and informative. Here is Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Today Mostly sunny, with a high near 50. West northwest wind 5 to 7 mph. Tonight Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. Calm wind becoming north northwest around 5 mph. Christmas Day Rain likely, mainly after 10am. Cloudy, with a high near 47. Southeast wind 6 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Tuesday Night Rain. Low around 38. Southeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Wednesday Showers likely, mainly before 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 50. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Wednesday Night A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. Thursday Mostly sunny, with a high near 48. Thursday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 29. Friday Partly sunny, with a high near 47. Friday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. Saturday Partly sunny, with a high near 51. Saturday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35. Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 54.

High Wind Warning in effect

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SACRAMENTO HAS ISSUED A HIGH WIND WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 PM PST THIS AFTERNOON. THIS REPLACES THE WIND ADVISORY THROUGH 2 PM. THE WIND ADVISORY WILL CONTINUE FROM 2 PM TO 4 PM PST THIS AFTERNOON. * WINDS: SOUTHEAST 20 TO 35 MPH WITH GUSTS 35 TO 50 MPH...EXCEPT OVER THE EAST SIDE OF THE VALLEY THROUGH 2 PM WINDS AT TIMES ARE EXPECTED TO SURFACE THAT WILL RANGE BETWEEN 35 AND 45 MPH WITH GUSTS BETWEEN 50 AND 60 MPH. * TIMING: THIS MORNING THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON. * LOCATIONS INCLUDE: STOCKTON...MODESTO...SACRAMENTO...CHICO ...REDDING...LAKEPORT. * IMPACTS: BROKEN TREE BRANCHES AND DOWNED TREES AND FENCES. POWER OUTAGES LIKELY...VERY DIFFICULT DRIVING CONDITIONS...ESPECIALLY FOR HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES AND BLOWING DEBRIS.

Another Wind Advisory for Sunday

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SACRAMENTO HAS ISSUED A WIND ADVISORY FOR THE SACRAMENTO VALLEY...DELTA...NORTHERN SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY AND SOUTHERN LAKE COUNTY...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM TO 4 PM PST SUNDAY. * WINDS: SOUTHEAST 20 TO 35 MPH WITH GUSTS 35 TO 50 MPH. LOCALLY STRONGER SUSTAINED WINDS AND WIND GUSTS WILL BE POSSIBLE. * TIMING: SUNDAY MORNING THROUGH SUNDAY AFTERNOON. * LOCATIONS INCLUDE: STOCKTON...MODESTO...SACRAMENTO...CHICO... REDDING...LAKEPORT * IMPACTS: WEAKEN TREES BLOWN OVER AND BROKEN TREE BRANCHES. LOCAL POWER OUTAGES ARE POSSIBLE. DIFFICULT DRIVING CONDITIONS...ESPECIALLY FOR HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A WIND ADVISORY MEANS THAT SUSTAINED WINDS OF AT LEAST 25 MPH ARE EXPECTED WITH GUSTS AT LEAST 40 MPH OR GREATER. WINDS THIS STRONG CAN MAKE DRIVING DIFFICULT...ESPECIALLY FOR HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES. USE EXTRA CAUTION.