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Six of 2024’s severe weather events that made headlines in NorCal and the Modesto area

Stories by Modesto Bee journalists, with AI summarization

A series of severe weather events in 2024 captured headlines, illustrating the diverse and devastating impacts of natural phenomena. In California, extreme heat waves and the ongoing threat of wildfires created critical situations while high winds prompted power shutoffs.

Additionally, geomagnetic storms provided rare opportunities for viewing the northern lights while raising concerns over potential technology disruptions.

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

Duane McMullen, of Sacramento, walks along 15th Street past Capitol Park on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022, in downtown Sacramento. Todays the hottest day its been in Sacramento, the resident of 32 years said, referring to the record-breaking temperature of 116 degrees reached moments before, according to the National Weather Service. The previous record was 114 degrees, set on July 17, 1925. By Xavier Mascareñas

NO. 1: WHAT’S THE STATUS OF CALIFORNIA’S DROUGHT AS HEAT WAVE, WILDFIRES SWEEP STATE?

Temperatures soared into the triple digits across California this week. | Published June 6, 2024 | Read Full Story by Brianna Taylor

Looking west at the Modesto arch from I Street on a rainy day in downtown Modesto, Calif., on Wednesday, March 10, 2021. By Andy Alfaro

NO. 2: TRIPLE-DIGIT TEMPERATURES EXPECTED TO RETURN TO MODESTO AREA. HOW LONG WILL THE HEAT LAST?

The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory for Northern California, including Modesto. | Published September 30, 2024 | Read Full Story by Angela Rodriguez

The northern lights were visible over Paso Robles on May 10, 2024. By Tracy Managan

NO. 3: NORTHERN CALIFORNIA COULD SEE NORTHERN LIGHTS AS ‘SEVERE’ GEOMAGNETIC STORM HITS

Here’s how you could catch a glimpse of the colorful lights known as the aurora borealis. | Published October 9, 2024 | Read Full Story by Sarah Linn

NO. 4: RED FLAG WARNING ISSUED FOR NORTHERN CALIFORNIA. WHAT’S THE FIRE RISK IN STANISLAUS COUNTY?

High winds and dry conditions mean increased fire risks throughout the region, including Stanislaus County. | Published October 15, 2024 | Read Full Story by Angela Rodriguez

NO. 5: AHEAD OF WINDS, PG&E ADJUSTS PLANS FOR POSSIBLE POWER SHUTOFFS IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

The utility says roughly 20,000 customers could face power shutoffs by the weekend. | Published October 17, 2024 | Read Full Story by Daniel Hunt

A steady rain falls downtown in Modesto, Calif., Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024. By Andy Alfaro

NO. 6: ATMOSPHERIC RIVER TO BRING RAIN, STRONG WINDS TO MODESTO AREA. HOW LONG WILL IT LAST?

During an atmospheric river event, officials said there’s a high risk of heavy precipitation that could lead to flooding. | Published November 19, 2024 | Read Full Story by Angela Rodriguez

This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.