Environment Canada’s Marine Forecast has issued a Strong Wind Warning for western Lake Erie due to predicted high winds overnight into Monday.  Based on forecasts this could be upgraded to a Gale Warning later this weekend.  Tomorrow morning sustained winds are expected to exceed 40 km/hr out of the northeast with gusts of 65 km/hr.  Winds are then expected to switch to a more easterly direction and remain around 40 km km/hr through Sunday evening, reaching speeds of 50 km/hr with gusts of 75 km/hr late Sunday afternoon.  Winds are then expected to switch to a more southerly direction overnight Sunday into Monday morning while staying above 35 km/hr.  Wave heights of 2 m are expected by tomorrow morning and could get even larger later during the weekend.  There are also forecasts calling for 50 mm or more of rainfall on Sunday.

Throughout this period there is a risk that wave action could damage shoreline protection works and cause shoreline erosion.  Vulnerable areas will likely see localized flooding due to waves crashing against shoreline protection works spraying water up onto the land.  These consistent strong winds from the northeast and east will raise water levels at the western end of Lake Erie increasing the risk of shoreline flooding and erosion damage.  These winds present a greater risk than usual for the interior areas of Rondeau Bay such as Erieau and Shrewsbury and for the shoreline just east of Rondeau Provincial Park.  However the wave action will still affect areas more typically impacted by wind events on Lake Erie such as Erie Shore Drive.  As the winds switch to the south late on Sunday, the winds will be more directly driving waves onto our Lake Erie shoreline in Chatham-Kent and Elgin County.

Residents along the Lake Erie shoreline should be prepared and pay attention to local forecasts as they change throughout the weekend.

People should take extra caution and avoid the shoreline.  The waves can be strong and the shoreline slippery.  There could also be hazardous debris within the waves and water.  Standing water can also present its own unseen hazards.  Children and pets 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 Tuesday September 11th, 2018.

Contact:  Jason Wintermute ([email protected]) or Jason Homewood ([email protected])