You might want to batten down the hatches today as strong, gusty winds kick up in advance of a low pressure system that will bring rain to the Okanagan and Kamloops.

Winds strong enough to break branches, blow away barbecue covers and knock over lawn furniture are kicking up in Kamloops and the Okanagan today, Sept. 23.

Environment Canada meteorologist Doug Lundquist says it’s windy everywhere, but more so in the South Okanagan so far today.

Kamloops could see winds southeast at 20 km/h gusting to 60 this afternoon, while Vernon and Kelowna could see south winds at 30 km/h gusting to 50 later today.

Winds in Penticton are from the south at 40 km/h, gusting locally up to 70 km/h today, Lundquist says.

“We can get breaking branches and such even without a wind warning,” Lundquist says.

Lundquist says stronger winds are expected later this week as a series of frontal systems make their way across the southern Interior.

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