Snow is falling and the wind is whipping across Chatham-Kent.
A winter storm is making its way across the region, expected to bring as much as 15 cm of snow by tomorrow morning and wind gusts of up to 100 kilometres an hour.
Authorities are advising area residents to avoid any unnecessary travel with slick roads and reduced visibility for much of the day.
On the final day of class before the winter break, the Lambton-Kent and St Clair Catholic Schools have decided to shut down all school facilities for the day to ensure the safety of staff and students. Providence Catholic schools, Chatham Christian Schools, and all Family Centre Childcare locations in Wallaceburg are closed today as well.
The high winds could cause some issues along local lakes and rivers.
The St Clair Conservation Authority is warning that despite recent drops in water levels on Lake St Clair, storm surges bring the potential for minor flooding near the shoreline and in natural floodplain areas.
Residents along the Lake St. Clair shoreline near Mitchell’s Bay and Walpole Island First Nation should pay close attention to local conditions. Water levels in the Sydenham River at Wallaceburg may also become elevated due to backflow from strong winds.
The Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority has also issued a flood watch for the Lake Erie shoreline with gale force winds predicted into tomorrow.
Officials say there’s also the risk of flooding along Erie Shore Drive as well as damage and erosion along the shoreline and high bluff areas.