off and on rain

Chico has received 1.01" of rain the past 48 hours, with more on the way. Expect about another quarter to half an inch of rain today and tonight before the rain tapers off tomorrow. There will be off and on chances for rain and showers over the next seven days, but there doesn't seem to be any big storms on the horizon. That could change, so stay tuned. In the Sierra Nevada mountains, two feet of snow could fall between now and late tomorrow. If traveling to the mountains, pack a winter survival kit and carry chains. As far as temperatures, they will be mild, as the flow is from the Pacific Ocean. Highs over the next several days will be in the 50s and 60s, with overnight lows in the mid 40s. Two big events for the active, outdoorsy types are happening this weekend in Chico: the annual Bidwell Classic, a 5k run/walk taking place in Bidwell Park, begins at 8am tomorrow; and the Tour de Ed, a 20 mile bicycle ride through the orchards south of Chico, happening on Sunday morning. This event is a tribute to Ed McLaughlin, who was the head of the Chico Velo Club and an advocate for safer streets for bike riders in Chico. He passed away in 2012. Hopefully the weather will cooperate for these two outdoor events. Here's Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Today Rain. High near 55. South southeast wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Tonight Showers. Low around 46. East southeast wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Saturday A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60. East wind 3 to 6 mph. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. Saturday Night A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. Light east wind. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. Sunday A 40 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 62. Southeast wind 5 to 7 mph. Sunday Night A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. Monday A 30 percent chance of rain. Cloudy, with a high near 63. Monday Night A chance of rain. Cloudy, with a low around 46. Tuesday A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 66. Tuesday Night A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47. Wednesday A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 67. Wednesday Night A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47. Thursday A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 63.

rain chance through next week

In the past 24 hours Chico has received three quarters of an inch of rain, with temperatures stuck in the 50s and gusty southerly winds to 26 mph. Expect more of the same over the next 24 hours, as another storm brings low elevation rain, high elevation snow, and gusty winds. In burn areas, landslides are possible. If you live near one, stay alert and be careful. Showers linger into the first half of the weekend, but we get some dry time on Sunday before more showers arrive early next week. A chance of rain is possible through the middle of next week. This is very good, as we desperately need the moisture. Unfortunately, it will not be enough to affect the drought. However, we may see nearly 2 inches of rain in the valley by late Saturday, with 1-2 feet of fresh snow in the mountains. Skiers rejoice! Here's Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Today Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 11am, then showers likely. High near 59. Southeast wind 13 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. Tonight Rain likely, mainly after 5am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. East wind 6 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. Friday Rain. High near 54. East northeast wind 5 to 7 mph becoming calm in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Friday Night Showers. Low around 45. East southeast wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Saturday A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60. East wind 3 to 6 mph. Saturday Night A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 42. Sunday Partly sunny, with a high near 63. Sunday Night A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. Monday A slight chance of rain. Cloudy, with a high near 62. Monday Night A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. Tuesday A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 65. Tuesday Night A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. Wednesday A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 64.

update on the impending storms

From the National Weather Service office in Sacramento: RIDGE OF HIGH PRESSURE THAT HAS BROUGHT ABOVE NORMAL TEMPERATURES AND DRY WEATHER THE LAST FEW DAYS WILL SHIFT TO THE EAST CHANGING THE WEATHER TO A COOLER AND WETTER PATTERN. A COUPLE OF STORMS WILL BRING PRECIPITATION TO INTERIOR NORTHERN CALIFORNIA WEDNESDAY INTO THE WEEKEND. THE FIRST STORM WILL MOVE THROUGH WEDNESDAY INTO THURSDAY. THE SECOND STORM WHICH IS COOLER AND STRONGER WILL MOVE THROUGH FRIDAY INTO SATURDAY. THUNDERSTORMS WILL ALSO BE POSSIBLE THURSDAY THROUGH SATURDAY. SHOWERS MAY LINGER OVER THE AREA INTO EARLY NEXT WEEK. * RAINFALL TOTALS: GENERALLY 0.5 TO 0.75 INCHES IN THE SACRAMENTO VALLEY AND 0.33 TO 0.5 INCHES NORTHERN SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY AND 0.75 TO 1.25 INCHES IN THE FOOTHILLS WEDNESDAY INTO THURSDAY. AROUND 0.5 TO 0.8 INCHES IN THE SACRAMENTO VALLEY AND NORTHERN SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY AROUND HALF AN INCH AND FOOTHILLS 0.75 TO 1.25 INCHES FRIDAY INTO SATURDAY. * SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: 5 TO 10 INCHES ALONG THE SIERRA ABOVE 6000 FT THROUGH BY FRIDAY MORNING. ADDITIONAL ACCUMULATIONS OF 7 TO 14 INCHES ABOVE 6000 FEET FRIDAY INTO SATURDAY. UP TO 2 INCHES POSSIBLE AROUND 5000 FEET. * SNOW LEVELS: AROUND 6000 TO 7000 FT ON WEDNESDAY DROPPING TO AROUND 5000 FT ON THURSDAY. SNOW LEVELS AROUND 5000 FT FRIDAY DROPPING TO AROUND 4000 FT BY SUNDAY MORNING. * TIMING: PRECIPITATION WILL MOVE INTO INTERIOR NORTHERN CALIFORNIA DURING THE DAY WEDNESDAY. THE HEAVIEST PRECIPITATION IS EXPECTED WEDNESDAY EVENING INTO EARLY THURSDAY. THE NEXT STORM MOVES IN FRIDAY MORNING BRINGING MODERATE TO HEAVY PRECIPITATION AT TIMES INTO FRIDAY EVENING. PRECIPITATION WILL TAPER OFF ON SATURDAY. THUNDERSTORMS WITH LOCALLY HEAVY RAIN ARE POSSIBLE THURSDAY THROUGH SATURDAY. * WINDS: SOUTHEAST WINDS 15 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH IN THE VALLEY WEDNESDAY EVENING INTO EARLY THURSDAY AND SOUTHEAST WINDS 10 TO 20 MPH ON FRIDAY. SOUTHWEST WIND GUSTS TO AROUND 50 MPH OVER THE SIERRA RIDGES. * IMPACTS: TRAVEL DELAYS DUE TO HEAVY SNOW AND GUSTY WINDS. URBAN AND SMALL STREAM FLOODING IS POSSIBLE. BREEZY CONDITIONS MAY CAUSE DIFFICULT DRIVING CONDITIONS.

stormy week ahead

Well, today was another beautiful day in Chico, with sunshine and a high temperature of 73 degrees. That's 10 degrees above the average for February 23rd, but not a record high (the record high for February 23rd is 75 set in 1985). It will continue to be warm and tranquil through Tuesday, with sunshine and highs around 70 degrees. By Wednesday, the first of two powerful storms will affect our area, bringing wind, rain, and high elevation snow. There will be a slight break in the storminess on Thursday, as the first storm moves out. However, a second, stronger storm invades on Friday, bringing more wind, rain, and mountain snow. Snow levels will initially be high with the first storm, generally above 5000 feet. Snow levels will lower some with the second storm, falling to around 4500 feet. Perhaps one to two feet of snow will be possible in the Sierra Nevada with these two storms , and 1 to 3 inches of rain for the valley. Stay tuned for updates. For now, here is the seven day forecast for Chico from the National Weather Service: Tonight Partly cloudy, with a low around 43. Calm wind. Monday Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Monday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 45. Light east northeast wind. Tuesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 70. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the morning. Tuesday Night A 30 percent chance of rain after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. East southeast wind 5 to 8 mph. Wednesday Rain likely, mainly after 10am. Cloudy, with a high near 60. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Wednesday Night Rain. Low around 47. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Thursday A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62. Thursday Night A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. Friday Rain. Cloudy, with a high near 58. Friday Night Rain. Cloudy, with a low around 45. Saturday A chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 61. Saturday Night A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. Sunday A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62.

rain returns

Yesterday in Chico was absolutely magnificent weather-wise, with sunny skies and a high temperature of 71 degrees at the Chico State Farm. The visibility was so clear, Mt. Shasta could be seen from over 100 miles away. This gorgeous weather will continue through early next week as a powerful high pressure system resides over California. However, several strong storms will invade by the middle of next week, potentially bringing us some significant precipitation through next weekend. These storms will originate from the mild Pacific waters, so expect high snow levels- generally above 6000 feet. Chico could see 1-3 inches of rain with this series of storms, so fingers crossed that this forecast pans out. Of course, it won't end the drought, or even put a dramatic dent in the drought. Any precipitation we can get is certainly welcome, though. More details on these storms will emerge the closer we get towards the middle of next week. For now, here is what the National Weather Service is saying for Chico the next seven days: Today Sunny, with a high near 70. Light and variable wind becoming west northwest around 6 mph in the afternoon. Tonight Clear, with a low around 40. Light east northeast wind. Sunday Sunny, with a high near 70. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Sunday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 43. South southeast wind around 6 mph becoming east northeast in the evening. Monday Mostly sunny, with a high near 69. Light and variable wind becoming south southeast around 5 mph in the morning. Monday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. Tuesday Mostly cloudy, with a high near 66. Tuesday Night A slight chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47. Wednesday Rain likely. Cloudy, with a high near 60. Wednesday Night Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. Thursday A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 63. Thursday Night A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. Friday Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60.

warmer weather returns

High pressure returns, large and in charge. Today will be seasonable, with sunny skies and highs in the low 60s. It may be breezy at times, as well, with northerly winds around 15 mph. The National Weather Service states northwest winds at 5 to 11 mph, but they always tend to be conservative with their forecast wind speeds. I don't know why. High temps by tomorrow through Sunday will be at or above 70 degrees (we should be around 62 for the average high for late February) with lots of sunshine. The next shot at any precipitation may not be until late next week. We could sure use the rain, as many communities are quickly running out of water. Chico is okay for now, but the Tuscan Aquifer, a lake of groundwater that sits beneath Chico and the rest of the Sacramento Valley (and Chico's main water source), is lowering, as well, due to the drought. It's getting dire out there. But, if you love the sunshine, this forecast is for you! Here it is, from the NWS: Today Sunny, with a high near 62. Northwest wind 5 to 11 mph. Tonight Partly cloudy, with a low around 40. North wind 7 to 9 mph. Thursday Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. Northwest wind around 7 mph. Thursday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 40. Northwest wind around 6 mph becoming light and variable in the evening. Friday Sunny, with a high near 72. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the morning. Friday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 41. Saturday Sunny, with a high near 72. Saturday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 41. Sunday Sunny, with a high near 70. Sunday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 43. Monday Sunny, with a high near 68. Monday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 45. Tuesday Partly sunny, with a high near 67.

return to dry and warm weather

Well, we did not receive a drop of rain with this last storm- just a lot of wind. Winds gusted to over 35 mph from the southeast yesterday in Chico, with mostly cloudy skies. Other than a weak storm moving through late Tuesday into Wednesday, dry and warm weather will dominate the weather for awhile. Highs will range from the mid 60s tomorrow to the upper 60s (perhaps even 70 degrees) by next weekend. Overnight lows will be in the upper 30s to lower 40s. There is no relief from the drought, and it will continue to worsen unless we get the Pineapple Express to return. That seems highly doubtful right now. Prepare for higher food prices as this drought negatively affects agriculture. Water supplies continue to dwindle, as well, and the Sierra snowpack is less than 25% of normal. It's a dire situation, and I wouldn't be surprised if some people begin moving out of California if we don't get substantial precipitation next season. Here is Chico's seven day forecast from the National Weather Service: Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 39. Light and variable wind becoming north northeast around 5 mph. Washington's Birthday Mostly sunny, with a high near 64. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon. Monday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42. Calm wind becoming north northeast around 5 mph in the evening. Tuesday Mostly cloudy, with a high near 64. Light and variable wind. Tuesday Night A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43. South southeast wind around 8 mph. Wednesday A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly before 10am. Partly sunny, with a high near 61. Wednesday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. Thursday Mostly sunny, with a high near 65. Thursday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 40. Friday Sunny, with a high near 68. Friday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 38. Saturday Sunny, with a high near 68. Saturday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 39. Sunday Sunny, with a high near 68.