Cool, wet weather in the forecast this week could help fire crews get a handle on the wildfires raging across the region.
(JENNIFER STAHN / iNFOnews.ca)
July 21, 2014 - 7:14 AM
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - A little help is in the forecast for fire crews this week as Mother Nature dials down the temperatures and throws in a little rain.
While temperatures will be near normal (26-29 Celsius) across the region for the next two days we can also expect to see rain today with a 40 per cent chance of showers Tuesday evening.
The wet weather in the forecast could aid wildfire crews in West Kelowna. Though many evacuees have already been sent home crews are still battling a 260 hectare blaze. Environment Canada is calling for rain today, Wednesday and Thursday, along with a 40 per cent chance Tuesday for the Central Okanagan. Temperatures will also dip several degrees below normal mid-week before heading back up to normal at the end of the week.
In the Penticton area, where several fires including one at Apex Mountain have prompted evacuation alerts, temperatures will be just above normal Monday and Tuesday along with a 30-40 per cent chance of showers and winds as high as 30 kilometres per hour. Wednesday and Thursday things will cool down to 21-23 C before heading back up to near normals heading into the weekend. Rain is also expected mid-week.
Kamloops and Vernon will see normal temperatures Monday and Tuesday and then will cool down for a few days before heading back to normal heading into the weekend. Rain is expected to fall today, Wednesday and Thursday along with a 40 per cent chance Tuesday evening.
It will be a bit warmer, drier and windier this week in the Lytton area, where a 1,500 ha fire has forced about 150 people from their homes and is yet to be contained. Monday through Wednesday there is a 30-60 per cent chance of showers and temperatures will be around the normal of 26 C every day except Wednesday and Thursday when they will drop just below normal. Winds are also expected to be gusting up to 60 km/h over the next two days.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Jennifer Stahn at jstahn@infonews.ca or call 250-819-3723. To contact an editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
News from © iNFOnews, 2014