Highlights:

• Special Weather Statement in effect from Environment Canada due to rain and freezing rain today.
• Possibility of easterly winds up to 45 km/hr this afternoon.
• Risk of shoreline damage, erosion and/or flooding all along the Lake Erie shoreline, including the high bluffs.
• Possibility of low level flooding around east facing Lake Erie and Rondeau Bay communities such as Shrewsbury, the bay side of Erieau, and around Wheatley.

Message:

There is a Special Weather Statement in effect from Environment Canada for the region due to rain and freezing rain in the forecast this afternoon into early this evening.

Currently winds are moderate across the region and from the east. Winds are predicted to rise this afternoon and could peak late this afternoon or early this evening with sustained wind speeds anywhere between 35 km/hr and 45 km/hr with gusts as high 70 km/hr. Winds are then predicted to drop off overnight and switch to the northwest. This weather system will also bring rain to the region this afternoon and forecasts are calling for the rain to last through into the overnight. This rain could fall as freezing rain at times. The rain could also be heavy at times and the various forecasts are currently all over the board, ranging from 10 to 50 mm by the time the rain stops. Waves on Lake Erie are predicted to be in the 1.5 to 2 m range during this event.

Due to high lake levels, there is a possibility 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. Due to the wind direction, more easterly facing locations such as Rose Beach Line and the area around Wheatley could see greater impacts then are seen from the more typical southwest winds.

There is also the possibility of low-level flooding around east facing Lake Erie and Rondeau Bay communities such as Shrewsbury, the bay side of Erieau, and around Wheatley. Lake levels have dropped for the winter and wind speeds in the lower range of the predictions would not be expected to cause flooding. However, wind speeds in the upper range of the predictions, combined with the rain in the forecast, could produce low-level flooding in these areas.

Due to the wind directions, flooding would not be expected along Erie Shore Drive in Chatham-Kent. Currently, forecasts are not calling for conditions 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 January 2, 2021.

Message Contact: Jason Wintermute ([email protected])