UPDATED FLOOD WATCH 2017: Unseasonably hot temperatures coming tomorrow could increase flood risk

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN – A special weather statement has just been issued by Environment Canada for most of the southern interior, including the Okanagan Valley and South Thompson, concerning high temperatures forecast over the next few days.

Unseasonably warm weather is expected Monday and Tuesday, including temperatures as high as 33 Celsius in Kamloops and 30 C in the Okanagan. While this may sound great for a trip to the beach, Environment Canada is warning the high temperatures will accelerate snow melt activity in the mountains and will lead to rising rivers in the regions.

The Okanagan, South Thompson, Nicola and Similkameen weather regions are all included in the statement.

Due to the hot weather, the B.C. River Forecast Centre has issued a new series of advisories for creeks and rivers in the southern interior:

• Okanagan including Mission Creek
• Shuswap Region including the Shuswap River, Eagle River and surrounding tributaries 
• Boundary including the Kettle River 
• Similkameen River including tributaries 
• West Kootenay including Slocan River, Salmo River, and surrounding areas 
• East Kootenay

They join the Nicola River and Salmon River, where high streamflow advisories remain in place. A flood watch remains on the Nicola River near Merritt.

The hot spell will quickly be followed by cooler temperatures over Tuesday night and Wednesday, along with strong winds and potentially thunderstorms.

The high water levels in the area’s lakes mixed with the high winds may lead to more, or bigger, waves in lakes. On top of that, the saturated ground and high winds may lead to more trees being blown over.

— This story was updated at 5 p.m. Sunday, May 21, 2017 to add the River Forecast Centre advisory..

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