A low-pressure system heading for Manitoba has prompted a special weather statement from Environment Canada.

They're urging people to take advantage of the time available before the system arrives to prepare for it.

"That low-pressure system will bring a very wide swath of very strong winds all the way through Alberta, Saskatchewan, and eventually, Manitoba," David Baggaley, a meteorologist with Environment Canada, says.

Baggaley says the system is expected to hit western Manitoba this evening, with wind gusts reaching anywhere between 90 and 100 km/h, "or potentially even higher," he adds.

The areas affected could stretch from the international border to as far north as Dauphin.

The system is expected to continue eastward and could arrive in eastern Manitoba during the daytime Wednesday.

"Take this seriously," Baggaley says. "This will be very strong winds over a very large area."

Baggaley says "the good thing is we do have some time to prepare . . . we have all day to do a few things. Clean up your yard, put away lawn furniture if you have, and take a look around and make sure you're safe tonight in case anything starts blowing around."