Severe thunderstorm watch issued for Okanagan and sections of BC

A thunderstorm brewing with the potential to bring heavy rain and large hail in the Okanagan and parts of BC has provoked an alert from Environment Canada on Tuesday.

Meteorologists say that they're keeping their eyes out for several thunderstorms in BC that could affect areas including the Okanagan Valley, Shuswap, and the Kootenays.

Lightning can be seen striking in the southern Okanagan region.

"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," said EC in a warning issued on Tuesday.

19:31 EnvCanada issued watch #Thunderstorms #Kelowna #BCStorm https://t.co/F1yZd4qJmy

— Kelowna (@ECAlertBC48) July 24, 2019

A severe thunderstorm was previously issued for the Central Okanagan earlier Tuesday evening, but was quickly rescinded.

A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for:

• Okanagan Valley, B.C.
• Shuswap, B.C.
• Arrow Lakes - Slocan Lake, B.C.
• Boundary, B.C.
• West Kootenay, B.C.
• Kootenay Lake, B.C.
• East Kootenay, B.C.
• West Columbia, B.C.
• East Columbia, B.C.
• Yoho Park - Kootenay Park, B.C.

NowMedia will provide more information as the storm develops.