Okanagan under a severe thunderstorm watch

Following up on Tuesday’s special weather statement, Environment Canada has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the Okanagan.

The Shuswap is also covered under the alert.

“Conditions are favourable for the development of dangerous thunderstorms that may be capable of producing damaging wind gusts and heavy rain,” the forecaster says.

Environment Canada warns that there’s a heightened risk of debris flows over wildfire-impacted areas with burn scars.

“Very strong wind gusts can damage buildings, down trees and blow large vehicles off the road,” the weather alert adds. “Water-related activities may be unsafe due to violent and sudden gusts of wind over bodies of water.”

Kelowna’s standard forecast calls for an 80% chance of precipitation throughout the day and southwesterly winds around 30 km/h with gusts up to 50 km/h.

In Penticton, there’s a 90% chance of precipitation this afternoon and a 60% chance this evening, with a similar wind forecast as Kelowna.

“Lightning kills and injures Canadians every year,” says the Environment Canada alert. “Remember, when thunder roars, go indoors!”