Highlights:

• Strong Wind Warning in effect for western Lake Erie
• Forecasts calling for southerly winds, possibly strong at times, this evening and last into Sunday afternoon.
• Risk of shoreline damage and erosion all along the Lake Erie shoreline, including the high bluffs.
• Risk of flooding along Erie Shore Drive in Chatham-Kent

Message:

There is a Strong Wind Warning in effect for Western Lake Erie. Currently, winds are gentle across the region and from the south. Unstable weather is predicted over the next few days with rain, the possibility of thunderstorms and potentially periods of strong winds. Forecasts are predicting that winds will pick up later this afternoon and some forecasts suggest sustained wind speeds could climb above 35 km/hr this evening. From late this evening into Sunday morning, various forecasts are predicting periods of strong sustained winds with peak wind speeds anywhere from 30 to 45 km/hr with even stronger wind gusts. Wave forecasts are generally calling for waves around 1m in height with the possibility of periods with slightly larger waves.

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 this evening into Sunday morning. The lower end of the predicted wind speeds are in the range where flooding just begins along Erie Shore Drive. If winds stay down in this range, little flooding would be expected. However, the upper end of the predicted wind speeds are well into the range that have previously caused flooding along this road and should the strong winds last for any significant length of time there could be flooding in the area. Residents and workers in the area should be prepared for the possibility of flooding. There could also be impacts to other low-lying shoreline areas that have seen flooding over the last few years.

Currently, winds are not predicted be from a direction to 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 June 28, 2021.

Message Contact: Jason Wintermute ([email protected])