Tornado warnings in Turlock and Oakdale? Storm brings just about everything to Central Valley

The National Weather Service forecast for Modesto had a little of mostly everything Tuesday: rain, hail, thunder, lightning, winds and sun. Even possibly a tornado.

The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for the Turlock area at 12:50 p.m. The warning lasted through 1:15 p.m. then was extended to 2 p.m.

At 1:15 p.m., the NWS issued a tornado warning in Oakdale and Waterford through 2 p.m.

Thunderstorms are possible from Redding to Stanislaus County through 4 p.m., the weather service predicts. It says the storms could bring heavy rain, hail, gusty winds and the chance of isolated tornadoes.

In Oakdale, lightning struck a tree and caused a fire, authorities said. Three homes were damaged and the power was out in certain areas.

Modesto could get up to a quarter inch of rain – higher is thunderstorms materialize. A south-southeast wind of 11 to 14 mph is expected, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Gradually, the day should become mostly sunny, with a high near 70, forecasters say.

The rainy forecast will force Turlock’s annual State of the City address indoors Wednesday morning. The city announced Mayor Gary Soiseth’s 7:30 a.m. speech will move from its planned location outside the Public Safety Center at Broadway and Olive Avenue, to the the Carnegie Arts Center next door.

Tuesday night holds a 20 percent chance of showers after 11 p.m. Rainfall is expected to be less than a 10th of an inch.

The chance of rain Wednesday is 70 percent, and again a thunderstorm is possible, after 11 a.m. Up to a quarter inch of rain is expected – more if there’s a thunderstorm. The day should be cooler – high near 65 – and winds weaker – just 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon.

Thursday should be sunny, with a high near 67, before the chance of rain returns that night.

The chance of rain Friday is 50 percent, and the high should be near 64.

Showers are likely Friday night and Saturday, which otherwise should be mostly cloudy with a high near 67.

Between Friday and Saturday, Modesto could receive up to a half inch of rain, the weather service says.

Sunday and Monday both hold a slight chance of showers but should be mostly sunny, with highs near 65 and 68, respectively.

This story was originally published March 21, 2017 at 9:46 AM with the headline "Tornado warnings in Turlock and Oakdale? Storm brings just about everything to Central Valley."