High winds in this week's forecast may cause some issues along the Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie shorelines.
The Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority (LTVCA) has issued a watershed condition statement for potential strong winds in the area through Wednesday. This flood outlook is being implemented due to increased likelihood of shore erosion, flooding and damage along the shorelines, particularly at Erie Shore Drive and Lighthouse Cove.
Environment Canada's forecast calls for sustained winds ranging from 25 kilometres to 40 kilometres per hour. Jason Wintermute of the LTVCA said depending on the direction the wind is coming from, a variety of shoreline problems can arise starting late Sunday night.
"Forecasts are calling for winds from the south or southwest between 25 and 35 kilometres per hour," said Wintermute in the statement issued Sunday evening. "From tomorrow [Monday] into Tuesday morning, some forecasts suggest we could see periods of higher winds up to 40 kilometres per hour. These winds will start from the south and switch to a west or northwest direction overnight Monday into early Tuesday. Another period of stronger winds up to 40 kilometres per hour from the west [southwest to northwest] is predicted during the day on Wednesday. The marine forecast is calling for waves on Lake Erie around one-and-a-half metres in height over the next few days with waves up to one metre on Lake St. Clair."
Wave damage could be seen in areas vulnerable to shoreline erosion. These include the high bluff areas along Lake Erie when winds are from the south or southwest, according to the statement. The areas most likely to be impacted would be Erie Shore Drive in Chatham-Kent when winds are from the south and Lighthouse Cove in Lakeshore when winds are from the northwest.
"If the winds remain at the lower speeds predicted, flooding wouldn’t be expected," said Wintermute. "However, wind speeds at the higher end of the forecasts could cause flooding."
The situation will be monitored and updated when needed. The outlook is active through Thursday morning.