(STEVE ARSTAD / iNFOnews.ca)

OKANAGAN - The Okanagan can expect an unsettled start to the long weekend, but it should be warm and dry by Canada Day.

Environment Canada meteorologist Doug Lundquist says showers and thunderstorms are forecast for the Okanagan region today, June 27, and tomorrow with highs pushing into the low 20s.

“Over the long weekend, things will be gradually drying out and warming up, and Canada Day is looking to be the best weather of the long weekend, with sunny skies and temperatures in the upper 20s,” Lundquist says.

Conditions could begin to improve by Sunday in the South Okanagan, as the next system begins moving north into southern British Columbia.

Some parts of the Interior may yet see a severe thunderstorm warning today, he says.

Active weather is also predicted as a prelude to the long weekend for much of the prairies, as funnel clouds were sighted in Alberta yesterday. Today could be worse, The Weather Network says, calling for rain in the parched northern part of the province, with localized flooding from heavy downpours, strong winds and hail along with the threat of isolated tornadoes predicted in parts of southern Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Today in Vernon, Kelowna and Penticton, look for showers with thunderstorms and a high of 21 Celsius. Precipitation could amount to 10 mm locally, with northwest winds at 20 km/h gusting to 40. Tonight there could be a few showers with thunderstorms ending after midnight with 10 to 15 mm locally and a low of 11 C.

Tomorrow will likely see a mix of sun and clouds along with a 60 per cent chance of showers and a risk of a thunderstorm in the afternoon. Winds are expected to become southwest at 20 km/h in the afternoon, with a high of 20 C and a low of 9 C.

A sun and cloud mix is also expected for Saturday, with a high of 21 C and a low of 10 C.

On Sunday, clouds are expected to linger, along with a 30 per cent chance of showers, and a high of 23 C.

Conditions are expected to clear by Canada Day Monday, however, with sunny skies and a high of 27 C expected.

It’s normally 25 C for a high and 11 C for a low in Vernon, Kelowna and Penticton in late June.

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