Unsettled weather in store for the Okanagan

OKANAGAN – Mostly cloudy, cool and unsettled conditions are in the Okanagan forecast for the next few days.

Environment Canada meteorologist Matt MacDonald says Friday and Saturday will be the best of the next few days, as a second low pressure system is poised to make its way into the Okanagan early next week.

"We've definitely seen a shift to much cooler temperatures and unsettled conditions for the last few days. Today will be much the same, only getting to a high of 18 Celsius, about six degrees cooler than normal for this time of year," he says.

MacDonald says the showers, while not expected to be heavy, will be most welcome as the valley continues to experience dry conditions through June.

Kelowna has so far received only five millimetres of rain, Penticton 3.2 mm and Vernon 12 mm this month.

"That's only five to 20 per cent of normal rainfall for the month, depending on the area," he says.

MacDonald says "Juneuary" conditions are expected through most of next week, with unsettled conditions returning.

Today, June 20, in the Okanagan, Environment Canada says to expect clouds with a 70 per cent chance of showers and northwest winds at 30 km/h gusting to 50 around midday, with a high of 17 Celsius in Vernon and Kelowna, and 20 C in Penticton. Tonight should be cloudy with a 70 per cent chance of showers continuing and a low of 10 C.

The skies should clear tomorrow morning, bringing a mix of sun and cloud and a high of 25 C. Winds should be northwest at 20 km/h.

Clouds begin rolling in on Saturday with a high of 25 C.

Sunday should see clouds and a 30 per cent chance of showers, along with a high of 25 C.

A 60 per cent chance of showers is forecast for Monday and Tuesday next week with cloudy skies and a high of 21 C on both days.

Normal temperatures in the Okanagan at this time of year are highs of 24 C and lows of 10 C.


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Steve Arstad

Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

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