Environment Canada has issued a wind warning in Chatham-Kent and all of Southwestern Ontario.
Forecasters say very strong wind gusts near 110 kilometres per hour that may cause damage or power outages are expected Sunday morning into Sunday night.
“Damaging wind gusts may continue until Monday morning,” forecasters say.
“An area of strong southwesterly winds will develop along a line from Windsor to Sarnia and the Bruce Peninsula. The winds will move rapidly eastward through the Sunday morning hours and cross over the Niagara Escarpment late in the morning. A few locations along the shores of Lake Huron, over the Niagara Escarpment and over the shorelines of Lake Erie may gust to 120 kilometres per hour at times late in the morning or in the afternoon.”
The strong winds will continue through Sunday evening and become westerly with the onset of flurries and reduced visibilities in blowing snow. The threat of damaging winds continue until Monday morning, Environment Canada officials say.
“Damage to buildings, such as to roof shingles and windows, may occur. High winds may toss loose objects or cause tree branches to break.”
Wind warnings are issued when there is a significant risk of damaging winds.
Special weather statement remains in place
Environment Canada officials say heavy flurries are possible on Sunday.
“Flurries and local snow squalls are possible Sunday afternoon or evening following the passage of a cold front and hazardous travel conditions are possible in some locations Sunday night,” forecasters say.
“Local snowfall amounts from a few centimetres to as much as 5 cm are possible by Monday morning. Any fresh snow that falls will be whipped up by the very strong winds creating near whiteout conditions in blowing snow.”
Travel will become hazardous in some areas due to significant and sudden reduction to visibility and due to slippery conditions on untreated surfaces, forecasters say.
Forecasters are encouraging people to continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada.
To report severe weather, send an email to ONstorm@canada.ca or tweet reports using #ONStorm.
Safety bulletin issued for Lake Erie shore
The Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority has issued the following bulletin:
“A Special Weather Statement and a Gale Warning for western Lake Erie have been issued by Environment Canada due to very strong southwesterly and westerly winds expected tomorrow during the day. Overnight tonight, sustained winds from the southeast are expected to climb over 35 km/hr. By morning winds will have climbed to over 45 km/hr and have switched to the southwest. Currently, peak winds are expected early tomorrow afternoon with sustained wind speeds approaching 70 km/hr with peak gusts of 90 to 110 km/hr. Winds are then expected to switch to the west and drop very slowly through Monday, not falling below 35 km/hr until Monday evening. Temperatures are expected to remain above freezing until Sunday evening.
Based on satellite imagery and Canadian Ice Service reports, it appears that Lake Erie is still mostly ice covered but that the ice cover is staring to weaken. Ice along the north shoreline is still fixed in place but there may be open water further offshore. Ice cover on the lake should dampen the creation of large waves. However, the forecasts are calling for very high winds. It is not clear whether any ice protecting the shoreline would be able to withstand these conditions without breaking up.
Strong winds, and whatever waves they can produce, will be driving onto our Lake Erie shoreline in Chatham-Kent and Elgin County. If the ice along the shore can’t withstand the force, there is a risk that ice could get pushed up against the shoreline causing erosion and damaging shoreline protection works. In low lying shorelines, ice could get pushed up onto the shore potentially causing damage on the land. Any water pushed up onto the land in low lying areas would likely freeze Sunday evening creating slippery hazardous conditions. Residents along the Lake Erie shoreline should pay attention to local conditions and prepare accordingly.
People should take extra caution and avoid the shoreline should conditions get rough. The winds will be strong and the shoreline slippery. There could also be hazardous debris in water which could be thrown up onto the shoreline. Children and animals should be kept away from the water. Officials will continue to monitor the situation and update this advisory if necessary.”
