Two more days of heat before temperatures begin to fall in Okanagan

KELOWNA – The hot weather experienced this weekend will continue in the Okanagan for at least a couple more days.

Environment Canada meteorologist Lisa Ervin says a heat warning remains in effect today, July 30, with a high of around 36 Celsius forecast for the Okanagan's three major cities today.

It will be sunny today with local smoke, which is the reason for the special air quality statement. The wind is expected to pick up this afternoon to 20 km/h. The mercury is forecast to only drop to 19 C overnight as the wind becomes light.

For tomorrow, expect sunshine through the local smoke, a brisk wind in the afternoon and a high of 35 C. Overnight the temperature is expected to fall to only 19 C again.

Even with the heat wave, Ervin isn't expecting any daily temperature records to be set, although Penticton may come close today.

She says a gradual cooling trend will bring more seasonal temperatures back to the Okanagan by the weekend.

"Rain is returning to the forecast, and with that, a risk of thunderstorms,” Ervin says. "Later in the week and the weekend, we’ll see cooler temperatures, but they are actually seasonal norms.”

Wednesday we should see temperatures drop a few more degrees, with a high of 32 C. A trough of cooler air being introduced to the Southern Interior will bring scattered showers and thunderstorms starting Wednesday as well.

On Thursday and Friday, expect a 40 per cent chance of showers and highs of 28 C and 25 C, respectively.

Normal temperatures at this time of year in the Okanagan are highs of 27 C and lows of 12 C.

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