Highlights:

• Strong Wind Warning in effect for western Lake Erie
• Moderate to strong south or southwest winds predicted this evening through tomorrow morning
• Risk of shoreline damage and erosion all along the Lake Erie shoreline, including the high bluffs.
• Some flooding is expected along Erie Shore Drive, especially late overnight and tomorrow morning.

Message:

There is a Strong Wind Warning in effect for western Lake Erie. Winds across the region are currently gentle and from the northeast. A weather system is predicted to move through the region overnight and tomorrow morning bringing stronger winds and possibly thunderstorms. Forecasts predict that winds will rise this evening and switch to the southeast. Some forecasts suggest that sustained wind speeds over 30 km/hr could be reached this evening. Forecasts suggest winds will be from the southwest by tomorrow morning. Winds are predicted to peak late overnight or early tomorrow morning with sustained wind speeds somewhere between 35 and 45 km/hr with possible gusts over 65 km/hr. By tomorrow afternoon forecasts suggest winds will have dropped and switched to the west. Wave forecasts for Lake Erie are generally calling for waves over 1 m in height for much of this period, peaking somewhere between 1.5 and 2 m in height tomorrow morning.

Given the forecasts calling for sustained wind speeds between 30 and 45 km/hr, from a south or southwest direction, some flooding is expected along Erie Shore Drive in Chatham-Kent; in particular during the period from late overnight into tomorrow morning. There would also be some risk of flooding in other south-facing shoreline communities along Lake Erie.

Due to high lake levels, there is also 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.

Currently, winds are not predicted to be from a direction that would 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 October 22, 2020.

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