Cooler, wetter week in store for Okanagan

KELOWNA – After an absolutely stellar Mother's Day weekend in the Okanagan, you expect a week of more seasonal temperatures with the strong possibility of showers.

The forecast still sounds pretty good when compared to other parts of the country, particularly Southern Ontario, where the Weather Network is forecasting cool and wet conditions in Southern Ontario today, May 13, that are “more like March” with temperatures about 10 degrees normal for this time on year. 

Toronto and southern Ontario had nine days in February that were warmer than what is forecast for today’s high in the region, and the Weather Network says communities northwest of Toronto could actually see “flakes in the air” today.

In the Okanagan, Environment Canada meteorologist Doug Lundquist says the weather is “right on track” for this time of year. He says it's not unusual to have a hot spell in May, with a return to more seasonal values and more rain in the latter part of the month.

Any rain that falls will provide some much needed moisture as the region heads into wildfire season, Lundquist says.

Clinton, Penticton and Summerland set high temperature records on Saturday, May 11, with Clinton reaching 25 Celsius, beating the previous May 11 high of 22.6 C. Penticton reached 30.6 C, up from the previous high of 30.3 C, and Summerland got to 30.1 C, besting the previous high of 29.4 C.

The forecast calls for a mainly sunny day today in Vernon, Kelowna and Penticton, with increasing cloudiness and winds southwest at 20 km/h this afternoon. Today’s high should reach 25 C with the overnight low down to 11 C.

Tomorrow is expected to be cloudy with a 60 per cent chance of showers in the afternoon with southwest winds at 20 km/h. Tomorrow’s high is expected to reach 20 C with an overnight low of 10 C.

On Wednesday, expect to a mix of sun and cloud with a 30 per cent chance of showers and a high of 21 C, along with a low of 10 C.

Periods of rain are forecast for Thursday with a high of 18 C and a low of 9 C.

Showers are expected on Friday with a high of 20 C and a low of 10 C.

Cloudy conditions, along with a 60 per cent chance of showers are forecast for Saturday with a high of 20 C and a low of 9 C.

The normal high and low for the Okanagan at this time of year is 19 C and 6 C.

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