May 19, 2013
Flood Bulletin #13
– – –Wind Warning Issued, Risk of Localized Overland Flooding
The Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation Hydrologic Forecast Centre reports the current moderate northeast winds will intensify in southern Manitoba today, becoming mainly easterly with speeds of 40 to 50 kilometres per hour (km/h) gusting to 60 km/h late this the evening and into tomorrow.
There is a risk of shoreline ice pileup on:
- Lake Manitoba (east northeast wind);
- Dauphin Lake (east northeast wind);
- Lake Winnipegosis (east wind);
- Lake St. Martin (east wind); and
- Lake Winnipeg (east northeast wind).
Ice has been gradually breaking up and melting on most of Manitoba’s large lakes. High winds can push broken or weakened ice around lakes, creating a risk of ice pileup on windward shores. Residents are reminded to remain alert to weather conditions.
Strong and gusty east winds are forecast to occur from late this evening into tomorrow. This will result in a moderate to high risk of shoreline ice pileup on the windward shores of Lake Manitoba, Dauphin Lake, Lake Winnipegosis, Lake St. Martin and Lake Winnipeg.
Risk of localized overland flooding
Based on Environment Canada’s latest weather update, an unstable weather system is forecast to bring significant rainfall in parts of southern Manitoba and the U.S. portions of the Souris and Red river basins between today and Tuesday. For today, the heavier rainfall is forecast to occur mainly in the U.S. This system will intensify and track north into Manitoba. Rainfall accumulations of up to 75 millimetres (mm) in the Red River Valley are possible by Tuesday. Other parts of southern Manitoba, including the Souris and lower Assiniboine river basins could see rainfall accumulations of between 10 and 30 mm by Tuesday. These forecast amounts and their regional distribution are still uncertain at this point in time.
Although the Red River main stem level is declining, there is the potential that localized overland flooding could occur in areas hit by heavier rainfall. The impact on the Souris and the Assiniboine rivers is expected to be less with fewer areas potentially at risk due to lower amounts of expected rain and relatively dry soils. Officials are closely monitoring the weather, lake and river conditions.
Up-to-date flood information including flood warnings, flood watches and high water advisories can be found at www.manitoba.ca/flooding, on mobile devices at www.manitoba.ca, on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MBGovor at 1-866-626-4862 (toll-free)
Up-to-date highway information is available at www.mb511.ca, on mobile devices at www.manitoba.ca, on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MBGovRoadsor by calling 511.
- 30 -