(UPDATE) ‘Up to ping pong ball-sized hail’: Severe thunderstorm warnings for northeast B.C.

Updated, June 16th, 2:56 p.m.: This story has been update to include another severe thunderstorm watch warning issued in northeast B.C.

DAWSON CREEK, B.C. — Severe thunderstorm warnings have been issued across northeast B.C.

On June 16th, Environment Canada issued severe thunderstorm watch warnings for areas in the south and north Peace River region.

A warning at around 6:30 p.m. says meteorologists are tracking a thunderstorm capable of producing “very strong wind gusts, up to ping pong ball-size hail and heavy rain” 40km south of Fort St. John, moving northeastward at 30 km per hour.

There were also warnings issued on June 16th for a portion of northeast B.C. from the border with Alberta, west to Pink Mountain and north past the border with the Northwest Territories, and a triangle of the region from Dawson Creek and Chetwynd down the border with Alberta to a point on the border near Prince George. 

A timeline was not provided for any of these weather warnings, but according to Environment Canada’s forecasts, the region risks thunderstorms on June 16th and June 17th.

“When thunder roars, go indoors,” the department explained.

Residents are encouraged to monitor weather conditions and alerts from Environment Canada.

Energeticcity.ca will update this story as more information becomes available.