Severe thunderstorm warnings issued for Central Okanagan, South Thompson, Similkameen

Several severe thunderstorms have developed in the South Thompson, Central Okanagan and Similkameen.

Environment Canada has upgraded severe thunderstorm watches in those regions to warnings this afternoon, July 8.

In the South Thompson, a storm is about 20 kilometres southeast of Ashcroft, and five km north of Highway 97C and moving slowly northwards.

A cluster of severe thunderstorms are moving through the Central Okanagan near Highway 22 approximately 13 km west of Big White and are relatively stationary. Radar is showing large hail.

READ MORE: Severe thunderstorms with heavy rain, hail possible in Okanagan, Kamloops

Further south in the Similkameen, severe thunderstorms are moving over the Manning Park area, and again, are moving pretty slowly.

All these storms are capable of producing strong wind gusts, up to nickel size hail and heavy downpours.

Environment Canada issues severe thunderstorm warnings when imminent or occurring thunderstorms are likely to produce or are producing one or more of the following: large hail, damaging winds, torrential rainfall.

For the latest on the watches and warning, check out the Environment Canada public alert page here.

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