Highlights:

• Strong Wind Warning from Environment Canada is in effect for both Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair
• Moderate to strong northerly winds in the forecast for later today and tomorrow.
• Flooding and shoreline damage is possible in the communities of Lighthouse Cove, Shrewsbury and the bay side of Erieau.
• Some risk of shoreline damage and erosion along the shorelines of both Rondeau Bay and Lake St. Clair.

Message:

A Strong Wind Warning from Environment Canada is in effect for both Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair. Weather forecasts are calling for moderate to strong northerly winds for the rest of today and tomorrow. Winds are currently moderate out of the north between 20 and 30 km/hr. Currently, forecasts suggest that late this afternoon or this evening we could see a period of higher northerly winds in the 30 to 40 km/hr range and gusts possibly up to 60 km/hr. Overnight winds are expected to switch to a more northwest direction. Northwest winds between 30 and 35 km/hr with gusts up to 50 km/hr are forecast for much of the day tomorrow into the evening period. Waves of around 1 m are predicted for our shoreline areas on both Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair. Longer range forecasts suggest possible periods of high winds later in the day Sunday and early Monday, but those forecasts are too far out to be consistent.

The strong winds out of the north predicted for later today and tomorrow could cause minor flooding on both Lake St. Clair and in the Rondeau Bay area. Generally, in the LTVCA jurisdiction, flooding is not observed in either area with winds below 30 km/hr from the north. However, as we get to around 35 km/hr from the north to east direction, flooding begins in the Rondeau Bay communities of Shrewsbury and on the bay side of Erieau. Once winds from the north to west direction get to around the 40 km/hr range, flooding begins in the Lighthouse Cove area. Since the wind speeds and directions are right around these thresholds, these communities should prepare for the possibility of minor flooding. There could also be shoreline damage and erosion in nearby areas around Rondeau Bay and on Lake St. Clair in Lakeshore and Chatham-Kent.

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 May 10, 2020

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