Summer forecast much like last year

A cool, wet spring in the Okanagan is expected to be followed by a summer that’s warmer than normal.

“Overall, it is looking to be a nice, pleasant summer,” said Kelly Sonnenburg, meteorologist with The Weather Network.

So far this spring, Kelowna has received 115 millimetres of rain — 30 mm more than normal.

“As we head into the summer months, that is going to make the wildfire threat less of a concern — at least for the beginning of the season,” said Sonnenburg.

On average, Kelowna receives 115 mm of rain during June, July and August.

Rainfall is expected to be near normal this summer, said Sonnenburg.

“We’re not looking at an overly dry summer, but we’re not looking at a rainy summer either.”

Precipitation is difficult to forecast in the summer because a lot of it comes from thunderstorms, which are unpredictable, said Sonnenburg. “It’s probably the most tricky forecast to do.” The Weather Network is forecasting summer temperatures to be warmer than normal, but not excessively hot, said Sonnenburg.

“It will be somewhat comparable to last summer,” she said.

Last summer, temperatures in Kelowna were about one degree above normal.

Normal summer temperatures range from 24 C in June to 28 C in July.

“You guys have probably one of the nicest forecasts for the summer, so get out and enjoy the nice weather,” said Sonnenburg.

Today’s forecast high is 22 C, followed by 25 C on Friday.

The record high temperature for May 25 and 26 in Kelowna is 32.8 C, set in 1958.

The Weather Network expecting near-normal rainfall, above-normal temperatures