UPDATE: Okanagan under a severe thunderstorm watch

(UPDATE: Mar. 26 @ 5:05 pm) – Environment Canada has upgraded a portion of the special weather statement that was issued for the Southern Interior.

The Boundary region, West Kootenays and Okanagan Valley from Osoyoos to Kelowna are now under a severe thunderstorm watch.

The watch will be in place overnight from midnight to early Thursday morning.

“Conditions are also favourable for rotation in the atmosphere, leading to possible funnel clouds and a very slight risk of a localized weak tornado (EF0) over Boundary and West Kootenay regions,” Environment Canada said.

Large hail, strong wind gusts and heavy downpours are possible.

The rest of the Southern Interior including Vernon, Merritt and Kamloops remain under a special weather statement that is calling for thunderstorms until Saturday evening.

(Original story: Mar. 26 @ 11:45 am) – Environment Canada says there is a possibility of thunderstorms across the Southern Interior over the next several days.

A special weather statement says the chance for the development of thunderstorms will begin Wednesday afternoon and last until Saturday evening.

“A persistent upper disturbance off coast will form conditions favourable for the development of thunderstorms over the next few days in southern interior BC,” the weather statement says.

Kamloops, Merritt, Vernon, Kelowna and Penticton are all included in the weather statement.

If thunderstorms develop, heavy rain, small hail and gusty winds can be expected.