Looking like a smoky BC Day long weekend for Okanagan, Kamloops

The forecast shows the wind could change, but with wildfires all around the Southern Interior it’s likely Kamloops and the Okanagan will have hazy skies through the BC Day long weekend.

The weather is set to cool off over the next few days and there’s even a chance of some drizzling rain, but the smoke may be pretty consistent.

Environment Canada meteorologist Ken Dosanjh said the wind has been coming from the southwest bringing smoke from the fires on the Trans-Canada Highway and Washington State. When the winds shift over the weekend and start coming from the northeast they could bring smoke from fires in the east.

Even though it’s likely there will continue to be smoke, conditions can change quickly.

“The situation is very fluid and whether we can expect smoke in the region over the long weekend is still unknown at this time,” he told iNFOnews.ca.

There are air quality advisories around the region, including a yellow air quality warning in the South Okanagan and Central Okanagan, and an orange air quality warning in the North Okanagan and Kamloops. Environment Canada warns people to be wary over the next 24 to 48 hours.

“When you do start to notice a lot more smoke in the region you want to reduce that strenuous outdoor activity, especially when smoke levels are elevated. Take any chance you can keep your indoor air as clean as possible, keep windows and doors closed,” Dosanjh said.

Wildfires have also closed the Trans-Canada Highway in the Big Bar area and there are additional construction delays for people driving to and from the Southern Interior and the Lower Mainland.

There’s a slight chance of rain and thunderstorms in the afternoon Saturday, Aug. 1 with a forecast high of 27 Celsius in the Okanagan. The chance of rain extends to Sunday in Kamloops, but Dosanjh said it looks like just a sprinkle.

Temperatures are expected to hit a high of 25 C on Sunday and then start rising throughout next week with sunny skies.