After some significant wildfire smoke in Kamloops and the Okanagan over the weekend, folks have been advised to keep a watch out for thunderstorms and more smoke in the coming days.

Environment Canada has put out a severe thunderstorm watch and special air quality statement for the Southern Interior but meteorologist Matt Loney said it’s due to some instability in the atmosphere rather than a more predictable weather system carrying smoke and rain.

He said the air is pretty still at the moment so the smoke is expected to stick around.

“We’re not getting a lot of ventilation, and we don’t really expect much in the way of winds. There’s not really a windy system coming in that’s going to flush it all out,” Loney said.

The air quality statement is for the next 24 to 48 hours and covers most of B.C.

The thunderstorm watch is for the entire Okanagan along with Kamloops and surrounding areas.

Today, Sept. 8, the air quality index for Kamloops and the Okanagan is showing a low health risk, but Environment Canada wants to warn people that the amount of smoke can change quickly.

“The smoke is kind of widespread on the mountains, you can see it very nicely on satellite. And we’ve got all these sources in the area that it could drift in depending,” Loney said.

Loney said the nearest area with significant smoke issues is 100 Mile House.

The temperature in Kamloops and the Okanagan is expected to stay in the high-20s this week with the highest chance of showers today and tomorrow.

There is a 40 per cent chance of showers today in Kamloops and the Okanagan and a 60 per cent chance tomorrow.