Northerly winds could bring temporary wildfire smoke relief to Kamloops by mid-week

Scattered showers and thunderstorms are also in the cast, and could improve air quality during the afternoons, but the rainfall is expected to be uneven.

Some areas could receive a heavy downpour while others see little precipitation.

“However, Wednesday, the general flow is becoming a little bit more northerly, possibly northeasterly, which is good news for you guys [in Kamloops],” Shull said.

That flow could push the wildfire smoke from major fires west and south of Kamloops toward the coast, rather than into the tournament capital. The pattern and the potential break from the smoke, could continue through Friday.

However, with thunderstorms come lightning, which may also bring the risk of further flames and gusty winds near active wildfires.

“Unless our wonderful wildfire fighters can get them under control or we get some real precipitation, they’re still going to be generating a lot of smoke,” Shull said. “So anytime there’s a flow-pattern change, you guys will see that smoke re-enter your region.”

Temperatures are expected to thrive at average throughout the week, though early forecasts are suggesting a ridge of high pressure that could begin rebuilding once more over the region this weekend.

“Right now, the models are indicating that into the weekend, especially Saturday, Sunday, there could be a bit more of a ridge building back in,” Shull said.

This comes at a desperate time in the need of precipitation inside the Interior, with 102 active wildfires burning as of Monday (August 10).

by Jeremy Russo

Northerly winds could bring temporary wildfire smoke relief to Kamloops by mid-week

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