Highlights:

• Strong Wind Warning issued by Environment Canada for both Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair.
• Moderate to strong winds throughout the day with another period on Sunday and again on Monday
• Risk of shoreline damage, erosion and/or flooding along the Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair shorelines.
• Some flooding is possible in Lighthouse Cove today and Monday.
• Flooding possible along Erie Shore Drive in Chatham-Kent later today and tomorrow.
• Flooding possible along for Rondeau Bay communities overnight Sunday into Monday.

Message:

The Strong Wind Warnings issued by Environment Canada for both Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair remain in effect. Currently, winds are moderate out of the northwest or west. Weather forecasts are calling for moderate to strong winds for the rest of today, much of Sunday and most of Monday as well. The currently northwest winds are predicted to shift throughout the day ending up as southwest winds later this evening or overnight. Forecasts suggest that winds today should peak at around 35 km/hr this afternoon. Although Sunday’s winds are generally predicted to remain moderate to strong, there could be a lull in the morning. Winds are predicted to peak in the afternoon Sunday at around 30 km/hr from the southwest. Sometime in the evening Sunday or overnight into Monday winds are predicted to shift quickly through the east ending up as northerly winds. Early on Monday there could be another period of northerly winds in the 30 to 35 km/hr range. Waves of around 1 m are predicted for our shoreline areas on Lake Erie with waves around 0.7 m on Lake St. Clair. Forecasts also suggest there could be around 10 mm of rain on Sunday.

The forecasts for winds and waves on Lake St. Clair do not suggest any significant flooding in the LTVCA’s region of that shoreline. However, should winds get stronger than what was forecast, there could be shoreline issues in the area. Throughout the rest of today and on Monday, the westerly and northerly winds will be driving waves onto the Lake St Clair shoreline, which sometimes leads to flooding from wave spray and overtopping of shoreline protection works. There is some risk that wave action could damage shoreline protection works and cause erosion, all along the Lake St. Clair shoreline around Lighthouse Cove and nearby areas in Chatham-Kent. Residents in the area should pay attention to local conditions and be prepared.

On Lake Erie, there is the possibility of flooding along Erie Shore Drive later today and tomorrow as well. The low wind speeds that cause flooding along Erie Shore Drive, together with the wind forecasts, suggest that there could be flooding in the area at various times beginning later today and lasting all the way through Sunday, until winds switch back to the north. While winds are from a generally southerly direction, they will be driving waves onto our Lake Erie shoreline. Due to high lake levels, there is a risk that wave action could damage shoreline protection works and cause erosion all along the shoreline, including along the high bluff areas. Residents and workers in shoreline areas should pay attention to local conditions and be prepared.

There is also a risk for Rondeau Bay communities overnight Sunday into Monday. When winds switch back to the north, the predicted wind speeds are high enough that they could cause flooding in the Rondeau Bay communities of Shrewsbury and on the bay side of Erieau. Again, associated with this, there could be shoreline damage and erosion in the area as well. Residents in the area should pay attention to local conditions and be prepared

People should take extra caution and avoid the shoreline should conditions get rough. The waves can be strong and the shoreline slippery. Flooding shoreline areas can be especially hazardous in freezing conditions. 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 May 12, 2020.

Message Contact: Jason Wintermute (jason.wintermute@ltvca.ca)