5 extreme weather events in Tacoma in 2024

In 2024, Tacoma faced a series of extreme weather events that highlighted various natural hazards and their broad impacts on the region. Western Washington experienced significant precipitation events due to atmospheric rivers, commonly known as Pineapple Express systems, which delivered heavy rainfall and caused potential flooding risks.

A geomagnetic storm offered glimpses of the aurora borealis. Additionally, a heat wave intensified wildfire activity, degrading air quality and bringing smoky skies to the area.

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.

An atmospheric river — also known as the “Pineapple Express” — has been pointed at Puget Sound for over 24 hours, causing heavy rain and localized flooding throughout the region.

NO. 1: THE PINEAPPLE EXPRESS IS HITTING THE WEST COAST ... AGAIN. HERE’S HOW HARD IT’LL HAMMER WA

The last atmospheric river to hit Washington dropped over 6 inches of rain. How much rain will fall over the weekend? | Published January 26, 2024 | Read Full Story by Shaun Goodwin

The sun rises behind Mount Rainier as seen from Tumwater, Washington, on Thursday, March 7, 2024.

NO. 2: IS PIERCE COUNTY AT HIGH RISK FOR EARTHQUAKES? VOLCANOES? YES, ACCORDING TO FEMA REPORT

FEMA’s National Risk Index ranks U.S. counties by how vulnerable they are to natural disasters. Here’s what’s at risk in Pierce County. | Published March 15, 2024 | Read Full Story by Rosemary Montalvo

The aurora borealis was visible across Washington skies March 23 and March 24 because of a geomagnetic storm, officials said.

NO. 3: SOLAR STORM HEADED FOR EARTH JUST GOT UPGRADED TO MOST SEVERE CATEGORY

The storm is expected to continue throughout the weekend | Published May 11, 2024 | Read Full Story by Craig Sailor

A spider tends to its web as a smoky sun rises over Tacoma as seen from the city’s North End on Friday morning.

NO. 4: HEAT WAVE, WILDFIRES BRING SMOKY SKIES TO WESTERN WASHINGTON. HOW LONG WILL IT LAST?

Bad air is coming from below and above. | Published September 6, 2024 | Read Full Story by Craig Sailor

Umbrella-clad pedestrians walk along East D Street through a spat of sleet on Thursday, April 14, 2022, in Tacoma, Wash.

NO. 5: ATMOSPHERIC RIVER WILL BRING HEAVY RAIN AND STRONG WINDS TO WESTERN WA THIS WEEKEND

Western Washington can expect heavy rain this weekend and for the foreseeable future as La Niña continues to develop, according to NOAA. | Published October 18, 2024 | Read Full Story by Rosemary Montalvo Vincent Medina

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.