Storm rips through valley

Photo: Contributed - Callum Mathieson

Hail piles up in Oliver Monday morning.

The storm was fierce, but short-lived. It raged through the Okanagan for approximately 30 minutes before moving on, but dumped rain and hail across the valley.

Doug Lundquist with Environment Canada says these powerful storms are typical for this time of the year.

“We’re in an unsettled pattern. It’s that time of year, we call it our monsoon season,” he says.

“We could have more thunderstorms, and are thinking that main band has moved to the eastern side of the valley. There could be some redevelopment later today and we could have more thunderstorms, although the first one is normally the one with the most punch – especially when it releases that much energy.”

Howling winds were also witnessed from Oliver to Vernon, and a small weather station set up at Hudson Road Elementary in West Kelowna generated wind readings of almost 60 km/h.

“For those little stations to show that kind of wind, it must have been very significant. They’re usually a little more sheltered and don’t report the full force of the gusts, so we’ve had some lightning and very gusty winds and heavy brief rain.”

Lundquist says more showers are expected through the week, but things are looking much better for the weekend. A ridge of high pressure will bring dryer conditions with highs pushing into the mid to upper 20’s. 

He also reminds people that anyone witnessing lightning strikes over the next few days should immediately seek shelter, noting that every year Canadians get hurt or killed from lightening.

Did you shoot video of the storm? Did you see any damage from the wind? Send information, pics and video to [email protected].