The storm has passed in the Okanagan, after heavy rains fell

Photo: Joanne Louisa

Environment Canada is calling for heavy rain this afternoon.

UPDATED 6:45 p.m.

The storm has passed through the Okanagan after heavy rain and thunder hit the region hard earlier Saturday afternoon. 

Currently, the sun is shining and blue skies are back over Penticton, Kelowna, Vernon, while flooding across the valley slowly recedes.

The storm has moved east through the Southern Interior though, and Environment Canada has issued recent severe thunderstorm watch alerts for the Boundary, West Kootenay and Kootenay Lake regions. 

UPDATED 2:10 p.m.

The storm has now hit Kelowna, with heavy rain hitting the downtown core and loud thunder kabooming overhead. 

Environment Canada expects the storm to continue into the evening, bringing upwards of 15 millimetres of rain.

The heavy rain, thunder and lightning is expected throughout the Okanagan.

UPDATED 1:28 p.m.

There are reports of heavy rain near Swan Lake.

“Take shelter ASAP, this storm is insane. Just got back from Armstrong and the highway is flooded and even on high, wipers couldn't keep up,” one person posted on the Vernon & Area Community Forum just before 1 p.m.

Another person said there was hail on Silver Star Road.

The Environment Canada weather warning remains in effect.

UPDATED 11:10 a.m.

Environment Canada has now issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the Central and North Okanagan as well as the South Thompson regions.

“Persons in or near these areas should be on the lookout for adverse weather conditions and take necessary safety precautions,” said a statement from Environment Canada.
 

ORIGINAL STORY 8:16 a.m.

Get ready for rain — lots of rain.

Environment Canada has issued a special weather advisory for the Central and North Okanagan regions, and the South Thompson.

Forecasters are calling for “heavy downpours” later today.

“The airmass will become particularly unstable this afternoon as an upper low pressure system moves in from the north. Consequently, thunderstorms are likely to develop this afternoon and give 10 to 15 mm of rain in a short period of time,” the advisory stated.

“Severe thunderstorm watches and warnings may be issued later today for these Dry Belt regions as the rainfall warning criterion is only 15 mm/hr. This is enough to cause localized flooding particularly on sloping terrain.”