Weather alerts issued for Okanagan and other parts of B.C.

It could be a wild weather day in the Okanagan and other parts of B.C.

Environment Canada has issued two weather alerts, warning of adverse and potentially damaging weather today (June 13).

A special weather statement advises that “rain, strong winds, and thunderstorms are expected by late this afternoon. The storm could bring 15 to 25 mm and wind gusts up to 60 km/h.

“A cold front will sweep across British Columbia today,” the statement said. “Rain and thunderstorms are expected to develop through the day, followed by gusty winds with the passage of the cold front. An upper level disturbance develops tonight, bringing rain and a risk of thunderstorms to eastern regions of the Province from the B.C. Peace River area to the Kootenay.”

A second weather alert is for a severe thunderstorm watch.

“Conditions are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms that may be capable of producing strong wind gusts, large hail and heavy rain. Strong wind gusts can toss loose objects, damage weak buildings, break branches off trees and overturn large vehicles,” Environment Canada stated.

In addition to the Okanagan, severe thunderstorms are also possible for the Kootenays, Revelstoke, Golden, Lillooet, and Ashcroft with heavy downpours and hail.

To report severe weather, people are asked to send an email to BCstorm@ec.gc.ca or tweet reports using #BCStorm.