Highlights:

• Periods of strong winds in the forecast this evening through Wednesday.
• Some risk of shoreline damage, erosion and flooding along the Great Lakes shorelines, including Erie Shore Drive and Lighthouse Cove

Message:

Forecasts are calling for periods of strong winds along our Great Lakes shorelines lasting from this evening into Wednesday. The forecasts are generally calling for sustained winds ranging from 25 km/hr to 40 km/hr . At times, these winds could be coming from directions that could cause shoreline issues. For the rest of this evening and overnight, forecasts are calling for winds from the south or southwest between 25 and 35 km/hr. From tomorrow into Tuesday morning, some forecasts suggest we could see periods of higher winds up to 40 km/hr. These winds will start from the south and switch to a west or northwest direction overnight Monday into early Tuesday. Another period of stronger winds up to 40 km/hr from the west (southwest to northwest) is predicted during the day on Wednesday. The Marine Forecast is calling for waves on Lake Erie around 1.5 m in height over the next few days with waves up to 1 m on Lake St. Clair.

Over the next few days there is some risk that wave action could damage shoreline protection works and cause erosion along our Great Lakes shorelines. This would include the high bluff areas along Lake Erie when winds are from the south or southwest. Low lying areas could also experience flooding.  The areas most likely to be impacted would be Erie Shore Drive in Chatham-Kent when winds are from the south and Lighthouse Cove in Lakeshore when winds are from the northwest. If the winds remain at the lower speeds predicted, flooding wouldn’t be expected. However, wind speeds at the higher end of the forecasts could cause flooding.

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 December 12, 2019.

Contact: Jason Wintermute ( [email protected]) regarding this message.