Environment Canada issues severe thunderstorm watch

UPDATE: 12:09 p.m.

If you think it's been a wetter than normal June, you're right.

The Okanagan has experienced rainy weather over the last six weekends and Environment Canada has confirmed that precipitation levels are higher than normal.

"We've reached our June precipitation amounts already...We're expecting probably another 15 to 25 mm in the next week," says Carmen Hartt with Environment Canada. "Another thing we look at is the days of precipitation. This June we've had about 10 so far and the normal is 11 or 12."

While it is very wet, Hartt does not think it will reach a record-breaking amount of rain for the month.

And for today, people throughout the Thompson Okanagan can expect severe weather with even heavier storms further east in the Kootenays. 

But the gloomy weather does have its perks. 

"It is actually favourable for our forest fire situation because we are getting small amounts of precipitation," says Hartt. "We really like to see regular showers and regular sun."

People can look forward to sunny weather in the high 20s for Thursday and Friday before more rain on the weekend.

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ORIGINAL: 9:59 a.m.

Environment Canada has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the Okanagan Valley including, Vernon, Kelowna, and Penticton. 

Unsettled weather patterns are creating conditions favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms capable of producing strong wind gusts, large hail and heavy rain.

Showers with thunderstorms are expected this afternoon and there is also the risk of hail later tonight.

Environment Canada is calling for between 10 and 15 mm of rain Wednesday and a 60 per cent chance of showers or thunderstorms this evening as well.