Heat wave in Okanagan this weekend will be short-lived

The Okanagan can expect a brief taste of mid-summer heat with the mercury rising to 35 Celsius by Saturday, but the heat isn’t expected to last.

Environment Canada meteorologist Doug Lundquist says there is going to be a big swing in temperature between Saturday and Sunday as a cold front moves in, dropping temperatures from the 30s to the upper teens by Sunday.

“We’re predicting highs of up to 35 Celsius in the Okanagan, but with early high cloud from the approaching system, that may not happen throughout the valley,” he says. “I’d say to expect a high of 30 C to 35 C across the southern Interior. A high of 35 C might be a little optimistic.”

“Later in the day there could be some decent thunderstorms, so we’re talking showers late Saturday and into Sunday with some winds and highs on Sunday in the upper teens,” he says.

Today, May 28, in the Okanagan temperatures will remain in the seasonal range under increasingly cloudy skies, with a high of 22 C in Vernon and Kelowna, 25 C in Penticton. Winds should be north at 20 km/h before diminishing tonight with a low of 10 C.

The brief hot spell begins on Friday with mainly sunny skies, a high of 29 C in Vernon and Kelowna, 30 C in Penticton, and a low in all three cities of 14 C. Winds will pick up from the north at 30 km/h in the afternoon.

A mix of sun and cloud is expected to be accompanied by a daytime high of 35 C on Saturday, followed by showers Saturday night and a low of 16 C.

More showers are in store for Sunday with the high reaching only 17 C.

Cloudy periods and a low of 8 C is anticipated Sunday night.

A mix of sun and cloud is in store for Monday with a high of 22 C and a low of 11 C.

Tuesday and Wednesday are expected to be mostly cloudy with highs of 24 C and 23 C respectively.

Normal temperatures at this time of year in the Okanagan are highs of 21 C and 8 C.

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