Highlights:

• Strong west to northwest winds in the forecast tomorrow and Friday.
• On Lake St. Clair, there is a risk of flooding in Lighthouse Cove and a risk of shoreline damage and erosion all along the shoreline.
• Should winds switch to the southwest, on Lake Erie, there could be flooding along Erie Shore Drive, and a risk of shoreline damage and erosion all along the shoreline.

Message:

There are strong west to northwest winds in the forecasts throughout the day tomorrow and Friday.  Depending on the forecasts one looks at, peak wind speeds each day will likely exceed 35 km/hr and could be as high as 45 km/hr with gusts up to 65 km/hr.  Some forecasts are suggesting that winds could switch to the southwest at times during this event.  Waves could be around 1 m in height on Lake St. Clair during this event and around 2 m on Lake Erie.

While winds are out of the west and northwest, 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 in Chatham-Kent on the east side of the lake. There could also be flooding in Lighthouse Cove depending on how high the wind speeds get. Residents should pay attention to local conditions and be prepared.

Should the winds switch to the southwest, winds would be strong enough to also impact the Lake Erie shoreline.  The most vulnerable area would be along Erie Shore Drive in Chatham-Kent.  However there could be impacts to other areas of the shoreline as well, including the high bluffs.

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 April 11, 2020.

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