Highlights:

• Forecasts calling for moderate to strong southwest winds Monday morning into the evening.
• Risk of flooding along Erie Shore Drive in Chatham-Kent.
• Risk of shoreline damage and erosion all along the Lake Erie shoreline, including the high bluffs.

Message:

Forecasts are calling for a period of moderate to strong southwest winds from Monday morning stretching into Monday evening along the Lake Erie shoreline. Forecasts suggest that sustained wind speeds could rise above 35 km/hr on Monday morning. Winds are then predicted to remain in the 35 to 45 km/hr range into the evening. Later in the evening or early overnight, winds are predicted to shift more to the west and drop off. Wave forecasts for Lake Erie are calling for wave heights of around 1 to 1.5 m in nearshore areas, with waves over 2 m on the open lakes. Temperatures are expected to remain above freezing during this period.

Due to high lake levels, there is 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.

There is also a risk of flooding along Erie Shore Drive in Chatham-Kent. The 35 km/hr to 45 km/hr wind speeds being predicted for Monday are high enough to cause flooding along the road. Recently, winds of these speeds have caused flooding on some properties and put water onto the roadway. There could also be impacts to other low-lying shoreline areas that have seen flooding over the last few years.

Winds are not predicted to be strong enough when the switch west 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. 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 21, 2021.

Message Contact: Jason Wintermute ([email protected])