Skip to content

Smoky skies continue in Shuswap, Okanagan

No rain in forecast until Sunday.
8006745_web1_170807-PWN-Smoky
Smoky skies remain in the Okanagan/Shuswap for B.C. Day, but the haze is expected to lighten in the South and Central parts of the valley as the day progresses. (Black Press file photo)

Update: 7 a.m.

It looks like the smoky skies in the Shuswap and Okanagan aren’t going to clear away in time for B.C. Day fun, but skies may lighten up as the day progresses.

As the day starts, the provincial government’s air quality health index (AQHI) has the South, Central and North Okanagan regions rated at level 7 (high) risk, but in the South and Central, that is expected to drop to level five (moderate) and level four tomorrow.

The AQHI for the North Okanagan is forecast to remain at level 7 today and tomorrow, which includes the Shuswap on the provincial air quality map.

Air quality has varied greatly since the beginning of August, even dropping as low as level 1.4 throughout the Shuswap and Okanagan on Saturday, Aug. 5. Smoke concentrations will vary widely as winds, fire behaviour and temperatures change.

The AQHI ranks from one to 10, though there is plenty of room above a level 10 (high) risk, with everything above 10 ranking at a “very high” risk.

Last week, Kamloops reached a level 49 on the table. Kamloops is also rated at level seven this morning but is predicted to rise to level 11 (very high) today.

As for the weather forecast, no rain in sight in Salmon Arm and Sicamous until Sunday.

Related: Kamloops air pollution double the level that triggered 2015 ‘red alert’ in China