Thunderstorm watches have been upgraded to warnings for Kelowna, Connecter, Nicola and Boundary

After issuing a thunderstorm watch for much of the Southern Interior today, Environment Canada has increased the severity of the alert in parts of the region.

The Central Okanagan, which includes Kelowna, Okanagan Connector, Nicola and the Boundary are now under thunderstorm warnings.

“At 2:45 p.m. PDT, Environment Canada meteorologists are tracking a severe thunderstorm capable of producing strong wind gusts, up to nickel size hail and heavy rain,” the Central Okanagan warning says. “A severe thunderstorm near Big White Ski Resort is moving northward at a speed of 30 km/h.”

In the Boundary, "At 2:53 p.m. PDT, Environment Canada meteorologists are tracking a severe thunderstorm capable of producing strong wind gusts, up to nickel size hail and heavy rain. The severe thunderstorm is located 15 km west of Grand Forks and is moving northeast at 20 km/h. Highway 3 from Midway to Grand Forks will be affected."

—Story updated at 3:20 p.m. on May 20, 2023 after additional thunderstorm warnings were issued for the Okanagan Connector and Nicola region.

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