Weeklong stretch of clouds, rain forecast for north valley

CHICO — For those mourning over the big game, it won’t just be imaginary clouds overhead this week.

A set of three storms are forecast to bring a few inches of rain, more than one foot of snow in the Sierra Nevada and fair wind gusts to boot, according to National Weather Service Sacramento.

A wind advisory by the service is scheduled 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. today in the north valley, paired with forecasts of 25 to 30 mph wind gusts in Chico and 35 to 40 mph in Paradise and Magalia, according to meteorologist Kate Forrest.

Forrest said the service is currently forecasting gusts no greater than 40 mph with this first storm.

While nothing to fret about, Wednesday’s wind forecast is considerably lower than recorded speeds of about 65 mph in some areas on Feb. 4, when a tree in Paradise knocked down a transmission line in Paradise.

“(Wind) will be far less impactful compared to the Feb. 4 storm,” Forrest said.

Rain is forecast for the first storm today and Thursday with amounts around 0.5 to 1 inches in Chico and Oroville, and more than 1 inch in Paradise and Magalia. Snow levels are forecast at 5,000 to 6,000 feet with a probability of 50 to 70% for more than one foot of snow.

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Periods of difficult mountain travel are expected during the storms, along with possible minor flooding in areas and elevated waterways, according to the weather service.

A brief break in rain is forecast daytime Friday, according to Forrest, followed again by two storms Saturday to early Sunday then late Sunday through Tuesday.

Rain amounts from Saturday through Tuesday are forecast between 2 to 3 inches during this time for all of Chico, Oroville and Paradise, according to Forrest. Snow levels in this period are similar with a 75 to 90% chance for more than one foot of snow, and 30 to 50% for more than two.