Thunderstorm warnings for Okanagan, Peace River regions

Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued severe thunderstorm warnings for parts of B.C. Saturday.

Much of the Okanagan, including Vernon, Kelowna, and Penticton are under a thunderstorm watch, while the North and South Peace River regions are under a warning.

“Conditions are favourable for the development of dangerous thunderstorms that may be capable of producing strong wind gusts, large hail, and torrential rain,” ECCC said in its warning for the Okanagan. “Heavy downpours can cause flash floods and water pooling on roads. Lightning kills and injures Canadians every year.”

“Remember, when thunder roars, go indoors!”

The weather service says thunderstorm warnings are issued when “imminent or occurring thunderstorms are likely to produce or are producing one or more of the following: large hail, damaging winds, torrential rainfall.”

A cluster is placed over Fort St. John, the ECCC says, with the weather system moving very slowly to the east.

“These storms are capable of producing very strong wind gusts, up to nickel size hail and heavy rain,” it says.