It’s expected to be a blustery weekend in the Okanagan.
Environment Canada issued a storm watch and special weather statement that covers the Okanagan and Boundary areas, noting conditions are favourable for severe thunderstorms that may be capable of producing strong wind gusts and heavy rain.
“Showers, at times heavy, will develop (Friday) as the first of multiple systems arrives,” Environment Canada said in the alert.
“By this afternoon, showers will intensify with embedded thunderstorms further increasing precipitation amounts.”
Heavy downpours are likely to cause flash floods and water pooling on roads and, should these conditions emerge, it’s likely to worsen existing flooding. Mudslides are also possible from heavy rainfall on the melting mid-high elevation snowpack.
The intensity of the rain remains to be seen will depend on the embedded thunderstorms.
“Nevertheless, the threat for sudden heavy downpours and flash flooding on top of the volatile spring snowmelt conditions remains,” the national weather agency said.