Highlights:

• Strong Wind Warning in effect for western Lake Erie.
• Moderate to strong winds from the northeast (north through east) this evening into Saturday morning.
• Some risk of shoreline damage, erosion and/or flooding on Lake St. Clair, including Lighthouse Cove.
• Some risk of flooding for Rondeau Bay communities such as Shrewsbury and the bay side of Erieau.
• Some risk of shoreline damage, erosion and/or flooding along the Lake Erie shoreline, especially around Rose Beach Line.

Message:

There is a Strong Wind Warning in effect for western Lake Erie. Winds are currently gentle across the region and generally from the north. Forecasts predict that winds will pick up this evening. Forecasts suggest that winds could rise above 25 km/hr this evening and could remain between 25 and 35 km/hr throughout the day tomorrow into Saturday morning. While winds are currently out of the north, they are predicted to switch to the northeast. The timing of this switch depends on the forecast with some suggesting it could occur as early as this evening whereas others suggest it could be as late as tomorrow morning. For later in the day tomorrow (Friday) some forecasts suggest winds could stay from the northeast while others suggest they could switch more easterly. While winds could switch to the south later on Saturday, those forecasts are a bit far out to be confident on wind speeds.

Generally, the predicted wind speeds are in the range where they just start to cause problems for north and east facing communities along Lake St. Clair, in Rondeau Bay and along Lake Erie; largely due to the high lake levels. Before winds switch to the northeast, the higher end of predicted winds speeds could cause some low level flooding in the Lighthouse Cove area on Lake St. Clair. Once winds switch to the northeast, the Lake St. Clair shoreline in the LTVCA would largely be sheltered from winds and the risk of flooding drops. North and east facing Rondeau Bay communities such as Shrewsbury and the bay side of Erieau could also see some low level flooding from winds at the higher end of predicted wind speeds. For Lake Erie, while winds are from the north or northeast they will be largely be offshore or alongshore and would not be expected to cause issues along the majority of the Lake Erie shoreline. The exception would be the Rose Beach Line area in Chatham-Kent which gets impacted more strongly by northeast winds. As winds switch more to the east later in the day tomorrow, the Lake Erie shoreline would come under more direct wave action, with an increased risk of shoreline damage, erosion, and flooding in low lying areas.

People should also avoid the shoreline of the Great Lakes 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 September 12, 2020.

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