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Kelowna says sayonara to sunny days of summer for awhile

"What we're seeing is the continuation of the cold low pattern that is normal for June but usually has completely disappeared by July."

Get out your rain gear, Kelowna.

"Everybody is waiting for summer," said Lisa Coldwells, a meteorologist with Environment Canada Tuesday, as the usually sunny city was getting a shower.

"What we're seeing is the continuation of the cold low pattern that is normal for June but usually has completely disappeared by July."

It may be less-than-welcome news to those who are planning to flock to local beaches, or attend the Centre of Gravity festival happening downtown this weekend. Gardeners and firefighters, however, have cause to rejoice.

If there's a need to pass on blame or thanks, one might look north.

The persistent pattern, said Coldwells, has arrived in the Okanagan from the Gulf of Alaska.

What's worse, however, is there's no way to know when it's going to leave as it's stumping computer models and human meteorologists alike.

"We're all really scratching our heads," she said.

Rainfall, in particular, is something the national weather agency is unable to make any statements about.

The only thing that's really clear is that the taken-for-granted spate of 30-plus C days isn't going to happen.

"It's going to be a bit over everything. Cool and showery on Saturday, and Sunday not as bad," Coldwells said. "One thing we can say with more confidence, it's not hot, it's coolish. Expect 20 C to 22 C … definitely not bathing suit weather.

These cool and damp days are likely to continue on for the next two weeks, too.