Severe thunderstorm warnings issued for North and South Okanagan

Environment Canada has issued severe thunderstorm warnings for areas of the North and South Okanagan.

Severe thunderstorm warnings issued for North and South Okanagan Severe storm warnings Environment Canada has issued severe thunderstorm warnings for areas of the North and South Okanagan. Meteorologists are tracking severe thunderstorms they say are capable of producing damaging wind gusts, heavy rain and lightning. Lightning strikes have been seen across the Southern Interior as the weather system that firefighters fear will trigger a surge in ignitions began to make its presence felt.

Environment Canada meteorologist Colin Fong said the focus will be on the severity and frequency of dry lightning over the next few days, with parched conditions on the ground ripe for new wildfires in the region. "That's pretty much the main story for this week," Fong said of the threat of dry lightning in southern B.C., stretching into Friday. "It just basically means it's so dry at the surface that any rain that falls from thunderstorms typically evaporates before it gets to the ground," he said on Wednesday.

"So that doesn't really provide much relief in trying to saturate things, and the lightning is pretty much going to be the major factor." According to Environment Canada, as of 3:37 p.m. Wednesday, a thunderstorm near Denison-Bonneau Park southwest of Cherryville was moving northeast at 35 km/h. Areas in its path include Echo Lake Park and Highway 6 between Cherryville and Monashee Pass. In the South Okanagan, the severe thunderstorm is located near Cawston and is moving northeast at 30 km/h. Communities in its path include Keremeos and Cawston.

“Damage to roofs, fences, soft shelters or trees is likely. Heavy rain may cause flash flooding and significant reductions to visibility,” Environment Canada said in a press release. “Severe thunderstorm warnings are issued when imminent or occurring thunderstorms are expected to produce damaging hail, wind or rain.” - with files from the Canadian Press

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