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(JENNIFER STAHN / iNFOnews.ca)
July 05, 2021 - 11:27 AM
With the hot, dry conditions in the B.C. Interior, a severe thunderstorm watch issued today by Environment Canada is concerning for those battling wildfires.
The weather office says the conditions are favourable for the development of dangerous thunderstorms in the Thompson including Kamloops, the Nicola including Merritt, the Shuswap including Salmon Arm and the North Okanagan including Vernon, today, July 5, and early this evening.
With the hot, dry conditions, meteorologists are concerned the thunderstorms may not include rain, which means dry lightning in some areas. Dry lightning can spark wildfires, and with no rain accompanying the storm, those fires can grow and spread quickly.
“Severe thunderstorm watches are issued when atmospheric conditions are favourable for the development of thunderstorms that could produce one or more of the following: large hail, damaging winds, torrential rainfall,” the severe thunderstorm watch reads.
“Very strong wind gusts can damage buildings, down trees and blow large vehicles off the road.”
For the latest on the severe thunderstorm watches go to the Environment Canada website here.
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