Weather conditions in the West Kootenays are ripe for a severe thunderstorm to develop Thursday evening.
Environment Canada has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the entire West Kootenay region, saying conditions are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms that may be capable of producing strong wind gusts, large hail, and heavy rain.
A severe thunderstorm watch is issued when conditions are favourable for the development of thunderstorms with one or more of the following:
- Wind gusts of 90 km/h or greater, which could cause structural wind damage;
- Hail of 2.5 centimetres (cm) or larger in diameter; or
- Heavy rainfall, as per rainfall criteria in Tables 13 and 14.
The weather service is anticipating the development of a severe thunderstorm by Thursday afternoon with wind gusts of about 20–40 km/h.
The risk is forecast to continue into Thursday evening, with fog patches developing overnight and dissipating late Friday morning when conditions are expected to clear and reach a high of 27°C by Friday afternoon.
“When thunder roars, go indoors! Lightning kills and injures Canadians every year. Heavy rain can cause flash flooding and significant reductions in visibility. Large hail can cause significant damage and injury,” said Environment Canada.
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