Highlights:

• Strong Wind Warning issued for Lake Erie due to strong southwest winds in the forecast Sunday and Monday.
• Some risk of shoreline damage, erosion and flooding along the Lake Erie shore, including the Erie Shore Drive and the high bluff area

Message:

A Strong Wind Warning has been issued by Environment Canada due to strong southwest winds in the forecast at various times Sunday through Wednesday. On Sunday, forecasts are predicting that sustained winds could exceed 30 km/hr from the southwest from around noon into the evening, possibly peaking at speeds over 40 km/hr with gusts over 60 km/hr. Another period of strong sustained winds from the southwest with speeds between 30 and 35 km/hr are predicted for Monday morning lasting into the afternoon. After a break on Tuesday, long range forecasts are calling for very strong winds on Wednesday beginning overnight and lasting throughout the day and evening. Although the long range forecast for Wednesday is likely to change, currently they are suggesting that sustained wind speeds approaching 60 km/hr are possible.

Strong southwest winds will be driving waves onto the Lake Erie shoreline in Chatham-Kent and Elgin County over the next few days. There is a risk that wave action could damage shoreline protection works and cause erosion, all along the Lake Erie shoreline, including along the high bluff areas.  Low lying areas could also experience flooding.  The area most likely to be impacted is Erie Shore Drive in Chatham-Kent as the area will be exposed to direct wind and wave action for most of this period.  Over the last few years flooding tends to start along Erie Shore Drive when winds exceed 30 km/hr from the south. As the current forecasts call for southwest winds only slightly above these speeds on Sunday and Monday, serious flooding would not be expected. Another message will be issued on Tuesday with updated information for Wednesday.

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 November 26, 2019.

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