More rain in the valley, storm in the mountains
Winter storm system returning to Butte County, bringing more rain along with snow at higher elevations.
CHICO » A winter storm system returns in Butte County Wednesday into Thursday, bringing some rain to the lower elevations and valley floor with potential for winter weather in the mountains.
National Weather Service Sacramento meteorologist Cory Mueller said a Winter Weather Watch is in effect from Wednesday evening into Thursday morning for areas located above 5,500 feet. That means during that period, hazardous mountain travel is expected. There is currently a chance for about six to nine inches of snow in the higher elevations including Donner Pass with localized amounts of up to 16 inches possible.
In the valley areas for Chico and Oroville, Wednesday will begin with a 30% chance of showers after 10 a.m. Heading into the evening and overnight, a 90% chance of precipitation with amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch is possible. The rain could continue into early Thursday morning before 10 a.m.
A return of valley fog as was seen Monday morning is also expected, likely “patchy or dense fog” to come Friday morning throughout the area, particularly in the lower elevations and mountain valleys, Mueller said.
Temperatures will peak in the mid to upper 50s by the weekend with lows in the mid 30s. In the Paradise and foothill areas the overnight thermal belt will be warmer, at around the mid-40s.
These are much more typical temperatures seen in December for historic Butte County values, as compared to the previous week’s record high temperatures. The increase of temperature in slightly higher elevations is typical for between 1,000 and 2,000 feet, Mueller added.
Heading into the weekend, humidity will also be increased overnight 80% to 90% over the weekend, with values balancing to around 50- 60% humidity during the day. No precipitation is expected even in the higher elevations of Butte County, and the weekend is “looking fine for mountain travel,” Mueller said.
Early in the coming week Monday, there could be another wet system arriving, but more information will be needed to confirm, he added.