Severe thunderstorms forecast in Thompson-Okanagan could produce heavy rain

After weeks of intense heat, today’s cooler temperatures and rain showers in the southern Interior are a welcome relief, but the change in the weather also means conditions are just right for severe thunderstorms. Environment Canada issued a severe thunderstorm watch today, July 25, for the South Thompson, Nicola, Shuswap and North Okanagan regions. Meteorologists said conditions are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms in those regions which include the cities of Kamloops, Merritt, Salmon Arm and Vernon. The thunderstorms are capable of producing heavy rain which in turn can cause flash floods and water pooling on roads and highways. “There is a heightened risk of debris flows over areas impacted by burn scars,” the watch said.? Lightning strikes are also a concern given the extremely dry conditions in those regions. For the latest on the watch and other weather warning, go to Environment Canada’s website here https://weather.gc.ca/index_e.html?layers=alert . For the latest on highway conditions check out DriveBC here http://www.drivebc.ca . To contact a reporter for this story, email Howard Alexander mailto:halexander@infonews.ca  or call 250-309-5343 or email the editor mailto:news@infonews.ca . You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom mailto:tip@infonews.ca  and be entered to win a monthly prize draw. We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above. SUBSCRIBE to our awesome newsletter here https://infotel.ca/newsletter .