There’s hope for warm weekend in Kamloops, Okanagan after chilly north wind dies down

A large high pressure system dominating the weather in British Columbia this week resulted in new daily high temperature records yesterday, but Kamloops and the Okanagan were conspicuously absent from that list.

Communities in coastal, central and northern B.C. set the bulk of warm temperature records yesterday, April 14, including Victoria, which broke the old record of 20.6 C with a temperature of 21 C. Smithers also set a new record of 19.4 C, breaking the old record of 16 C.

Environment Canada meteorologist Bobby Sekhon says the high pressure system is bringing the first real warmth of the season to the coast, but a strong northerly breeze has so far been keeping a cap on temperatures in the Thompson and Okanagan regions.

Sekhon says humidity levels this week are also low in the Thompson-Okanagan, averaging around 20 per cent, compared to the normal 40 per cent for April.

Actual wind chills can’t be calculated for temperatures above freezing, but the Sekhon says the north winds have combined with low humidities to keep things cooler.

As an example, the temperature in Penticton yesterday,  April 14, at 3 p.m. was 17 Celsius with a forecast high of 20 C predicted. The day ended with a high of 18.5 C, but that occurred later in the afternoon, after the winds died down.

Kamloops and other Okanagan cities fared better, with Kamloops reaching a high of 20.9 C, Vernon 19.9 C and Kelowna 19.9 C, none of which were record setting.

There is hope for warmer temperatures in time for the weekend.

Sekhon says the warming trend is expected to continue into the weekend with lighter winds anticipated.

Temperatures are expected to reach 26 C in Kamloops and 24 C in the Okanagan by Saturday.

Overnight lows are also expected to rise above freezing levels as well with a low of 8 C in Kamloops and lows of 6 C for Vernon, Kelowna and Penticton on Saturday night.

Sunday night could see a mild disturbance bring a chance of showers to the Okanagan with a return to a mix of sun and cloud, and highs of around 20 C to start next week.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad or call 250-488-3065 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to tips@infonews.ca and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.