Overland flood watch issued for areas of southwestern Manitoba

Overland flood watch issued for areas of southwestern Manitoba

Virden, Melita areas expected to get heaviest rainfall

An overland flood watch is in effect for parts of southwestern Manitoba, as heavy rains hitting the area Friday are expected to continue into Saturday.

The province's hydrologic forecast centre issued the watch on Friday, saying widespread rainfall totals of 20 to 40 millimetres are forecast for much of southwestern Manitoba, extending north toward the Dauphin area.

The heaviest rainfall is expected west of Brandon, including in the Virden and Melita areas, the Manitoba government said in a Friday afternoon news release. These areas could receive 50 to 80 millimetres of rainfall, with some areas hit by more severe thunderstorms getting up to 120 millimetres, the release said.

Heavy rainfall over a short period can result in overland flooding.

The heaviest rainfall could extend westward into the Saskatchewan area of the Souris River basin, the province said.

Environment and Climate Change Canada issued special weather statements for multiple areas in western Manitoba on Friday. Many remained in effect Friday afternoon in areas in and around Dauphin and Riding Mountain National Park.

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"Rain continues this morning in southeastern Saskatchewan and portions of western Manitoba. The rain will continue today through this evening before tapering off overnight," a special weather statement said.

The province issued a previous overland flood warning for parts of western Manitoba at the end of June.

Many communities in western Manitoba were hit by heavy storms and flooding earlier this year. Parkland communities such as Dauphin, Minitonas and Swan River were among those most affected.

Dozens of municipalities have declared local states of emergency related to flooding and storms this year.

After rain earlier in the day, Environment Canada's forecast for Winnipeg on Friday afternoon called for periods of rain beginning around midnight Saturday and continuing through the morning.

Adam Treusch has been a copy editor with CBC Manitoba since February 2026. He worked at the Winnipeg Free Press from 2013 to 2026, primarily as an assistant city editor. He worked at the Winnipeg Sun, mainly as a city desk editor, from 2006 to 2013. Before that, he worked at two weekly newspapers in Manitoba's Interlake for more than four years.