A low pressure system tracking into Southern Ontario is expected to bring 25-30 mm of rain, strong winds and increased wave action.
Rain across the region is expected to begin this evening, with the majority of the rain falling overnight before ending Friday morning (March 26th). Rainfall amounts may vary depending on location; high amounts of rainfall in a short period of time can lead to increased runoff and flash flooding, particularly in urban areas, and residents may experience ponding due to high intensity rainfall.
A Gale Wind Warning is in effect for Southern Lake Huron. Beginning in the early hours of Friday, northerly winds gusting around 40 km/h are anticipated to slowly increase, becoming north/northwesterly and gusting around 70 km/h by 7am. By late morning, northwesterly winds will gust upwards of 85 km/h before diminishing mid-afternoon. Waves are predicted to build 3 to 4 metres in height by Friday morning, subsiding with the wind in the afternoon.
Residents along the Lake Huron shoreline can anticipate water levels to rise due to storm surge, with the potential for minor flooding in natural floodplain areas. Shoreline erosion is possible with the increased wave action, particularly in the Old Lakeshore Road area of Brights Grove.
Winds in the area of Wallaceburg are predicted to be northwesterly, gusting upwards of 70 km/h around noon Friday. Winds from a westerly direction have the potential to cause a backwater effect in the Wallaceburg area, further slowing the movement of water out of the river and elevating water levels. Water levels in this area are currently low and severe flooding is not anticipated during this event.