Severe thunderstorm warning issued for Kamloops, Okanagan

A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for the Okanagan Valley, the Thompson Nicola region, Boundary and the Shuswap.

The warning was issued this morning by Environment Canada and includes the North, Central and South Okanagan with Penticton, Kelowna and Vernon as well as the South Thompson and Nicola. The Shuswap and Boundary regions were also included.

"Conditions are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms that may be capable of producing strong wind gusts, large hail and heavy rain," according to the warning.

"Heavy downpours are likely to cause flash floods and water pooling on roads. Lightning kills and injures Canadians every year. Remember, when thunder roars, go indoors."

Severe thunderstorm watches are issued when thunderstorms could produce one or more of the following: large hail, damaging winds, torrential rainfall.

To report severe weather, send an email to BCstorm@ec.gc.ca or tweet reports using #BCStorm.

– This story was updated at 9:41 a.m. as additional watches were issued for more regions.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Carli Berry or call 250-864-7494 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom 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.