Strong winds in Chatham-Kent (CK) have prompted Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) to issue a Storm Warning, a Freezing Spray Warning, and a Yellow Warning.
According to Environment Canada, the region has strong southwesterly and northwesterly wind gusts of 80 to 90 kilometres an hour that began Monday morning and are expected to continue into the evening.
According to the ECCC Wave Forecast for Western Lake Erie, the wind will cause wave heights of 1.5 to 2.5 metres in near shore areas, and up to 4 metres waves on the open lake on Monday afternoon.
This has led to concerns that wave action could cause erosion and damage along the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority’s (LTVCA) Lake Erie shoreline in CK and Elgin County.
There is a risk that the waves will freeze over along the shoreline, creating icy and hazardous conditions. The warning also discusses the risk of localized flooding to shoreline properties.
The ECCC reminds residents to take caution and avoid the shoreline if conditions deteriorate.
Officials are set to continue monitoring the situation, as this message will be in effect until Tuesday morning.
