Four days after easing a high streamflow advisory on the North Thompson River, the BC River Forecast Centre is reissuing the same advisory because of thunderstorms expected this weekend.

The advisories went into effect at 3 p.m. Friday for the North Thompson and its tributaries, as well as rivers in the North and Central Okanagan. Similar high streamflow advisories were already in place for the South Thompson River and Nicola River at the Outlet of Nicola Lake, near Merritt.

Meanwhile, Environment Canada is calling for periods of rain today through Sunday, and again on Tuesday.

“On Saturday, a vigorous cold front is forecast to cross southern B.C. generating strong thunderstorms,” said the River Forecast Centre, in a statement.

“Freezing levels are expected to drop from approximately 4,000 m on Saturday to 2,200 metres by Sunday. Forecast precipitation rates for the event vary but could be as high as 50 mm with downpour rates as high as 15-20 mm an hr. ”

It says river and creek levels may rise rapidly over the weekend depending on the timing and location of the heaviest rainfall. As of 2:35 p.m. Friday, the water level on the Thompson River by the Overlanders Bridge was 6.492 metres, up slightly from 6.466 metres recorded on 12:45 p.m. the same day.

For the latest from the River Forecast Centre, go here.