File photo (Image Credit: Scott Tordoff/Contributed)

By Aaron Schulze

Storm Conditions

Kamloops and area, local highways expected to face gusty winds and dry lightning

Aug 17, 2023 | 5:28 AM

KAMLOOPS — Kamloops and area and local highways are expected to face challenging storm conditions Thursday (Aug. 17) into Friday.

In a special weather statement online, Environment Canada says a dry cold front will pass in the southern Interior, meaning strong, gusty winds from the southwest will develop Thursday morning before it shifts to the northwest in the midday or overnight and into Friday. It could create thunderstorms Thursday afternoon and evening.

The weather agency says a risk of dry lightning comes with the dry cold front, which could ignite new wildfires and worsen wildfire conditions, break tree branches and create challenging boating conditions.

“The main hazard is localized severe winds with speeds up to or above 70 km/h and dry lightning (lightning that comes with little or no rain),” Environment Canada says.

The affected regions include the North and South Thompson, Nicola, Shuswap, 100 Mile and Cariboo.

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Additionally, highway alerts have been issued for the Coquihalla Highway from Hope to Kamloops, the Okanagan Connector from Kelowna to Merritt, the Cariboo Highway from Clinton to 100 Mile House and the Trans Canada Highway from Eagle Pass to Rogers Pass.

Air quality notices and heat warnings remain in effect for most of the Cariboo, Nicola, Shuswap and Thompson regions.