A vast swath of central and northeast British Columbia are under warnings and advisories due to potential flooding this weekend.

The River Forecast Centre said significant rain that began Wednesday is expected to last until Friday.

A low-pressure system bringing widespread precipitation to parts of Alberta has triggered a number of flood watches and rainfall warnings in central and northern parts of the province.

Amid a heat warning across southern and east-central Manitoba, a tornado warning and flood watch have been added to the list. 

The rural municipality of Stuartburn in southeastern Manitoba has declared a state of emergency due to heavy rainfall.

Environment Canada says conditions are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms.

The regional district says higher rainfall forecasts and warm weather is pointing to probable widespread flooding.

Heavy rain is expected for the weekend, and a flood watch has been issued by the B.C. River Forecast Centre for parts of the Southern Interior.

Regional district says longer-range predictions still uncertain, but slower melt favourable to date.

Conservation authorities say a three-day low-pressure system beginning Wednesday will bring 30 to 60 millimetres of rain, causing increased water levels and flows throughout the region.