The Christie Mountain wildfire appears subdued this morning, Aug.20, 2020. Wildfire fighters can look forward to lower temperatures and the possibility of rain today and tomorrow, but there is also a forecast for strong winds Friday. Steve Arstad

Rain and wind in the Okanagan forecast

The record breaking hot weather experienced by Okanagan residents in recent days has come to an end.

That should be welcome news to firefighters battling the Christie Mountain and other wildfires in the area, but along with cooler temperatures and the chance of showers over the next couple of days, the forecast is also calling for strong, gusty winds on Friday.

The weekend looks like skies should clear to a mix of sun and cloud with highs in the mid 20s Celsius.

Today, Environment Canada says to expect mainly cloudy conditions with a 30 per cent chance of showers this morning and early afternoon, with a high of 28 C in Vernon and Kelowna, 29 C in Penticton, and a low of 15 C.

Winds could be a problem for firefighters on Friday, with a forecast calling for mainly sunny skies in the morning, followed by increasing cloudiness and a 70 per cent chance of showers late in the afternoon, along with the risk of a thunderstorm.

Winds are expected to shift to become south at 30 km/h, gusting to 50 near noon.

Friday’s high is expected to reach 29 C with a low to 11 C.

The weekend looks to be mostly sunny with a high of 25 C on Saturday, and 26 C on Sunday, with lows of 11 C and 14 C respectively.

A mix of sun and cloud is expected to start the work week on Monday, with a high of 27 C on Monday and 25 C on Tuesday.

Wednesday should see a sun and cloud mix again, along with a high of 25 C.

Vernon, Kelowna and Penticton’s normal high and low for late August is 26 C and 11 C.

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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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