Thunderstorm watch in effect for parts of Manitoba as May long weekend arrives

Virtually all of southern Manitoba, from the Lake Winnipegosis area in the northwest to the province's southeast corner, was under alerts for severe thunderstorms at various times on Friday night.

The province'sHydrologic Forecast Centre is warning Manitobans totake precautions and be ready for wet weather, aspartsof the province could get between 20 and 40 millimetres of precipitation in the next three days, a Friday news release said.

The heaviestprecipitation is likely to fall in parts of southwest Manitoba, the Interlake region and northern Manitoba, wherethunderstorms could bringheavy rain in short period, potentially leading tohigh surface runoff and overland flooding, the province said.

As of just 9:42p.m. Friday, the following areas, covering the southeast corner of the province,remained under thunderstorm watch from Envrionment Canada:

• Dugald, Beausejour, Grand Beach.
• Sprague, Northwest Angle Provincial Forest.
• Whiteshell,Lac du Bonnet,Pinawa.
• Steinbach, St. Adolphe, Emerson, Vita, Richer.

Environment Canada said conditions are favourable for severe thunderstorms that could bringstrong wind gusts, large hail and heavy rain,with the possibility of an isolated tornado.

Thethunderstorms are expected to push east through Fridayevening.

The province also warnsvisibility may be suddenly reduced in heavy precipitation and roads may be slippery. It encourages anyone with travel plans over the long weekend towatch the weather andadjust driving habits for road conditions, travellingonly when necessary or waiting until road conditions are safe to do so.

The province also says that since power outages can occur during severestorms, Manitobans are encouraged to prepare basic emergency kits with drinking water, food, medicine, a first-aid kit and a flashlight.