Highlights:

• Strong Wind Warning in effect for western Lake Erie
• Forecasts calling for northeasterly or easterly winds, between moderate and strong, beginning overnight potentially lasting through Monday.
• Risk of shoreline damage, erosion and/or flooding all along the Lake Erie shoreline, including the high bluff areas, as well as in Rondeau Bay
• Flooding and shoreline damage possible in many shoreline communities including: the bay side of Erieau, Shrewsbury, Rose Beach Line, and the Wheatley area

Message:

A Strong Wind Warning has been issued by Environment Canada for western Lake Erie. Weather forecasts are calling for northeasterly or easterly winds, with speeds between moderate and strong, beginning overnight and lasting through Monday. Around the region, winds currently range from gentle to moderate with wind directions in the northeast to east direction. Overnight, winds are predicted to rise. Generally, forecasts are calling for winds in the 20 to 35 km/hr range from the late overnight period through into Monday morning. Some forecast suggest the winds could extend later into the day on Monday as well. The timing of peak winds is somewhat inconsistent between the forecasts. During this entire period, winds are expected to remain from an easterly or northeasterly direction. Waves heights on Lake Erie are expected to be in the range of 1 to 1.5 m.

While winds are out of the east, they will be driving waves onto our Lake Erie shoreline throughout Chatham-Kent and Elgin County. 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. There could also be flooding in low lying shoreline areas. Wind speeds around 35 km/hr have previously produced flooding in the Rondeau Bay communities of Shrewsbury and on the bay side of Erieau. Given the forecasts, there could be flooding in these communities at times, beginning as early as overnight tonight with the risk lasting through into Monday. The Rose Beach Line area and areas around Wheatley are also at greater risk from these easterly winds. The forecasts suggest that for most of this event, Erie Shore Drive would be sheltered but there is still some risk there if winds switch to the southeast. Shoreline areas on Lake St. Clair in the LTVCA jurisdiction would also be sheltered from this wind event. The extended period of time that winds are out of the east could lead to impacts beyond what is typically expected for these wind speeds.

Residents and workers in shoreline areas 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. 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 June 16, 2020

Message Contact: Jason Wintermute ([email protected])