Windy, cool conditions in Okanagan, Kamloops changing to sunny, warm this week

Windy and cool conditions are expected for most of today in Kamloops and the Okanagan with a high pressure system expected to provide some warmth and sunshine through mid-week. Unsettled conditions are expected for the Easter long weekend, however.

Environment Canada meteorologist Lisa Erven says Kamloops and the Okanagan will continue to experience strong wind gusts this morning and early afternoon before they ease later today.

The gusty conditions follow on the heels of a strong low pressure system that brought a sudden change in temperatures and ferocious winds to the region yesterday evening, March 28.

“We’ve still got some light to moderate gusts throughout today and into the early evening, with a mix of sun and cloud expected today,” she says.

Winds are expected at 40 km/h gusting to 60 in the South Okanagan and 30 km/h gusting to 50 in the north end of the valley.

In Kamloops, winds at 60km/h gusting to 80 are expected to diminish to 50 before becoming light this afternoon.

Today's high temperatures are expected to range from a low of 5 C in Kamloops to 8 C in Penticton.

Tuesday, a high pressure ridge is expected to dominate weather patterns through the work week with temperatures creeping up to the mid-teens by Wednesday and on Thursday, April 1.

Midweek highs should reach 15 Celsius in Kamloops and 13 C to 14 C in the Okanagan.

However, an upper level low is expected to make its way into the B.C. Interior in time to create unsettled conditions for the Easter long weekend.

“The weekend looks like we will see a return to cooler temperatures, more cloud cover and the chance of showers entering the forecast for Friday through Sunday,” Erven says.

“We’re into the period of spring showers,” she says.

Weekend highs are expected to range between 10 C and 12 C in the Okanagan and 11 C to 14 C in Kamloops.

Normal daily highs and lows for Kamloops for late March are 14 C and 1 C, and 12 C and 0 C for Vernon, Kelowna and Penticton.

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