The province issued its January conditions report regarding spring flooding and the outlook is not promising. 

Infrastructure Minister Blaine Pedersen said that his department is expecting moderate to major overland flooding across Manitoba due to the well above soil moisture and snowfall so far this winter. 

“We have experienced some unusual winter weather to this point that has contributed to an expanded risk of overland flooding in Manitoba,” Pedersen said.  “At this time, we need to be aware of the potential for flooding with the understanding that we have a couple more months of winter weather and the uncertainty of the spring melt rate.”

Although this is a preliminary outlook the potential for serious flooding is there for most areas of the province. As weather conditions evolve during February and March forecasters will get a better indication as to the severity of this springs flooding potential.

The province says that if unfavourable weather conditions continue for the rest of the season we are looking at the following: 

• the Red, Souris, Pembina, Lower Assiniboine and Roseau rivers and the southwest region of the province are currently at risk for major flooding;
• the Upper Assiniboine River, eastern region, Winnipeg River, northern Manitoba and The Pas regions including the Saskatchewan, Carrot and Swan rivers, are currently at risk for moderate to major flooding, and;
• the Interlake region and the Fisher River are currently at risk for moderate flooding.

A number of factors are considered when looking at potential floods including soil moisture at freeze-up, winter snow, spring rain, how fast the snow melts, the depth of frost, and river and lake levels prior to spring run-off. 

You can read the 2017 January Conditions Report

-News4 Staff-