Highlights:
• Strong Wind Warning in effect for western Lake Erie
• Moderate to strong, south or southwest, winds predicted this evening and overnight.
• Risk of shoreline damage and erosion all along the Lake Erie shoreline, including the high bluffs.
• Risk of flooding along Erie Shore Drive this evening and overnight
Message:
There is a Strong Wind Warning in effect for western Lake Erie. Winds across the region are currently gentle to moderate and from the south. A weather system is predicted to move through the region this evening or overnight bringing stronger winds, some rain, and possibly thunderstorms. Forecasts predict that sustained wind speeds this evening and overnight could be in the 35 to 40 km/hr range. At some point overnight, winds will switch more southwest. Tomorrow morning winds are predicted to drop below 30 km/hr and remain light to moderate until the weekend. Wave forecasts for Lake Erie are generally calling for waves to peak in the 1 to 1.5 m height range late overnight.
Water levels on Lake Erie are down approximately a half metre since their peaks this summer. However, there is still some risk of flooding along Erie Shore Drive in Chatham-Kent this evening or overnight given the predictions that wind speeds could reach 40 km/hr from the south or southwest with waves up to 1.5 m in height.
Due to high lake levels, there is also a risk that wave action could damage shoreline protection works and cause erosion all along the Lake Erie shoreline in Chatham-Kent and Elgin County, including along the high bluff areas.
Currently, winds are not predicted to be from a direction that would cause issues for the Lake St. Clair shoreline in the LTVCA jurisdiction.
People should take extra caution and avoid the shoreline should conditions get rough. The waves can be strong and the shoreline slippery. There could also be hazardous debris within the waves and water which could be thrown onto the shore. Standing water can also present unseen hazards. Children and animals should be kept away from the water.
Officials will continue to monitor the situation and update this advisory if necessary.
This message will be in effect until November 12, 2020.
Message Contact: Jason Wintermute ([email protected])