A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect for later this afternoon and it’s expected to affect many of the Southeast portions of the province.

The alert is for the potential development of severe thunderstorms with large hail and damaging winds.

According to Environment Canada, an area of low pressure situated off the Washington coast will move slowly inland and linger over the southern interior on Thursday and Friday.  The low will bring rain and embedded thunderstorms with the possibility of heavy rain.

This weather alert is in place for the entire Okanagan Valley, including Similkameen, West Kootenay, Nicola, Kootenay Lake and Boundary