Strong thunderstorms and rainfall are expected to hit the Shuswap and Okanagan regions over the weekend.

Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued a special weather statement for the Shuswap as well as the Central, North and South Okanagan. A significant weather change is expected to arrive late Saturday as a low pressure system reaches B.C. from the U.S.

Ahead of the low Saturday afternoon, atmospheric conditions may be conducive to strong thunderstorms with frequent lightning and very strong gusts of winds, according to the weather statement issued Friday morning. Environment Canada also warns that widespread rainfall will accompany the low pressure system Saturday night and Sunday, which may strain local rivers.

Environment Canada meteorologist Bobby Sekhon explains that there are three key ingredients to a severe thunderstorm: warm temperatures, moisture and a front or barrier to act as a trigger.

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All three factors are expected to be present in the region over the weekend, with temperatures in the high 20s on Friday and Saturday, high humidity and a low pressure system coming from the California coast.

sa国际传媒淭hat impulse is going to take a northerly path through the Okanagan, so thatsa国际传媒檚 not a scenario we see very often at all,sa国际传媒� said Sekhon. sa国际传媒淚tsa国际传媒檚 definitely concerning from that point of view, acting as a pretty intense trigger.sa国际传媒�

With the coming rain and a likely increase in spring runoff from higher elevations due to higher temperatures, Sekhon says the flooding in the region could worsen.

sa国际传媒淎nybody who is near rivers or creeks should definitely be aware of the situation and follow the protocols that their community might have, but also just to be very careful, maybe avoid going near rivers and creeks this weekend.sa国际传媒�

Heavy winds are also to be expected starting Saturday evening and into the late evening.

sa国际传媒淭here could be some very strong wind gusts, so make sure things are tied down in your yard of wherever you might be outside,sa国际传媒� Sekhon said.

Environment Canada meteorologists will continue to monitor the situation as the weekend approaches. For more information on river flow forecasts, and flood warning and advisories, visit the BC River Forecast Centre .

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