Weekend Weather

Thunderstorms predicted for Kamloops this weekend not expected to be severe

Jun 5, 2020 | 3:02 PM

KAMLOOPS — Environment Canada says the Kamloops area should escape the brunt of thundershowers predicted for the weekend — but our rivers’ tributaries may not.

According to Meteorologist Doug Lundquist, scattered thundershowers expected into the weekend will likely hit hardest to the east of Kamloops, into the Kootenays.

Another rain system is expected to hit the Peace country and Alberta but Lundquist notes that might impact the North Thompson River.

“If there’s any area that might get rain, it is the North Thompson,” Lundquist told CFJC Today. “There’s a system moving into Alberta that’s going to spread rain into the Peace country and the further north part of the Central Interior. We’re just a little bit worried about that, but even so, that’s looking kind of iffy.”

“The rivers that feed the North Thompson and the (South) Thompson come from much further away,” he continued. “We do like to look to the Monashees for the (South) Thompson. There is a greater chance of rain in the Monashees, which feed the Shuswap, but I think even that is protected.”

Lundquist emphasized the thundershowers forecast are not likely to be severe or abnormal for June.

“It is the time of year when the sun has the most power and the air is still remaining a little cool left over from springtime. Those two connected together can result in sometimes the thunderstorms being a little stronger than we might think,” noted Lundquist. “But right now, it looks like it’s mostly average-type thunderstorms that we usually get this time of year.”

“We’re in an unsettled pattern, but nothing really too extraordinary. Just those afternoon showers and thunderstorms that we typically get in June.”