Damaging wave action possible as unstable air mass passes over the Okanagan

PENTICTON – More unstable weather is creating new conditions for shoreline flooding and erosion in the Okanagan Valley today.

Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for today, Friday, June 16, as an unstable airmass entering the Okanagan in the aftermath of yesterday’s frontal system moves into the Interior.

Environment Canada meteorologist Cindy Yu says high water levels in the Okanagan prompted the weather statement.

“We’re sensitive to wind, locally. Some of the wind developing in the region could result in some wave action,” she says.

Yu says the winds today will come mainly from the west, but will be affected locally by topographic conditions.

“Different parts of the Okanagan will see different winds, because of the topography of the valley and its orientation,” she says, noting Penticton will likely see southwest winds, where Peachland will see westerly winds.

The forecast calls for southerly winds of 30 km/h, gusting to 50 over central and northern Okanagan Lake.

In the South Okanagan, northerly winds are expected, again from 30 km/h gusting to 50, over southern Okanagan Lake, Skaha Lake and Osoyoos Lake.

These winds, combined with high water levels may result in conditions leading to shoreline flooding and erosion, the weather statement says.

For the very latest forecasts and weather warning check out the Environment Canada website.

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