Highlights:

• Strong southwest winds in the forecast for the overnight and through the day on Monday.
• Some risk of freezing wave spray and localized flooding for properties along Lake Erie.
• Some risk of shoreline damage and erosion all along the Lake Erie shoreline, including the high bluffs.

Message:

Environment and Climate Change Canada’s (ECCC) Marine Forecast has issued a Storm Warning and a Freezing Spray Warning for Western Lake Erie. ECCC also has a Yellow Warning for Wind in effect for the region. Winds are currently moderate from the south or southeast. Winds are expected to switch to the southwest this evening and become strong. Down on the Lake Erie shoreline, sustained wind speeds could reach 60 km/h overnight or Monday morning and last through the day on Monday. The Wind Warning suggests wind gusts of 80 to 90 km/h could be seen. Winds are then predicted to switch to the northwest on Monday evening and to begin dropping off. Wave forecasts for Lake Erie suggest wave heights of 1.5 to 2.5 m in near shore areas with up to 4 m waves on the open lake could be seen by Monday afternoon. Temperatures are expected to be below freezing on Monday.

Water levels on Lake Erie are currently near their long-term average, and in some areas, beaches have now reappeared. However, due to the predicted wave conditions, there is some risk that wave action could cause erosion and damage along the LTVCA’s Lake Erie shoreline in Chatham-Kent and Elgin County, including along the high bluff areas. Where waves can reach the shoreline, there is a risk that the wave spray could freeze and create icy, dangerous conditions. Excessive amounts of wave spray could cause some localized flooding to shoreline properties. Once winds switch to the west, the risk drops off. Residents should monitor local conditions and be prepared.

Since Lake St. Clair is frozen over, the wind and wave conditions are not predicted to cause issues on 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. The risk of freezing spray can make conditions even more slippery and dangerous. 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 the morning of December 30th.

Contact: Jason Wintermute ([email protected])