Sprinkles dot Modesto area, but more heat on the way

MODESTO -- A week after the Modesto area saw high temperatures above 100 degrees, raindrops fell sporadically on the Certified Farmer’s Market downtown this morning.

While it wasn’t enough to quench a crop’s thirst, it did convince musicians Bill Sharp and Paul Montoya to pop up a canopy. Areas of the valley, including Oakdale, got sprinkled.

The clouds were a remnant of a summer storm system that dropped rain on Oregon and the northern parts of California overnight Wednesday and into this morning.

The forecast is for clearing conditions the rest of day, with a high in the upper 80s to low 90s today in the Modesto area. There is a good chance for thunderstorms in the Sierra, especially in elevations about 5,000 feet.

Temperatures are predicted to rise Friday and through the weekend, nearing the 100-degree mark in the valley and foothills.