Okanagan boaters warned of strong wind gusts, urged to exercise caution

Anyone who is planning on going out on their boat tonight should take a few extra precautions.

Environment Canada (EC) is warning recreational boats in the Kelowna and Vernon areas to prepare for strong and gusty winds Wednesday night.

Wind gusts up to 70 km/h can be expected, starting by the early evening.

“An upper disturbance will sweep through the Thompson, Nicola and Okanagan valleys tonight,” the statement says.

“As the upper disturbance moves through early this evening winds will shift to northwest and become strong and gusty.”

Although there is no official warning to stay off Okanagan Lake, boaters should prepare for some strong wind and waves starting early in the evening.

Even if you are not headed out on your boat tonight, the weather statement says boats may break free from moorings and loose objects could get tossed around.

Utility outages may occur too, says EC.

The weather statement says the strong wind is expected to end near midnight.