Severe thunderstorm warning, watch issued for B.C.’s Southern Interior

Weather alerts for a severe thunderstorm watch and a severe thunderstorm warning have been issued for B.C.’s Southern Interior.

Environment Canada says conditions are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms that may be capable of producing strong wind gusts, large hail and heavy rain.

Originally, the national weather agency issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the area at 11 a.m.

But at 3:16 p.m., parts of the region were upgraded to a severe thunderstorm warning.

3:48 Kelowna Weather Forecast: May 19

“The severe thunderstorm just west of Pennask Summit is moving northward at a speed of 35 km/h, crossing Highway 97C,” said Environment Canada.

The weather alerts cover not only the entire Okanagan, but also parts of the Shuswap, Similkameen, Boundary and South Thompson regions, as it stretches from Ashcroft in the northwest to Grand Forks in the southeast, and ranges from Merritt in the west to Nakusp in the east.

Kamloops and Salmon Arm are also under the severe thunderstorm watch.

Areas under the severe thunderstorm watch include Merritt, the Okanagan Connector, the Central Okanagan and from Mount Baldy to Christina Lake.

In the Okanagan, Environment Canada is calling for a mixed bag of weather for Saturday and Sunday. The forecast features sun, clouds and a 60 per cent chance of showers or thunderstorms.

Saturday will see a high of 28 C and an overnight low of 15 C, with Sunday reaching 26 C. The forecast for Monday is cloudy with showers and a high of 16 C.

2:18 B.C. evening weather forecast: May 19