Strong winds cause flooding, damages in Ontario
Digital Reporter
Friday, November 13, 2015, 7:18 AM - Another dose of rain and strong winds hit Ontario Thursday, causing some wind damage and coastal floodng.
A Colorado low -- a low pressure system originating in the western United States and typically a winter phenomenon -- began to affect the province in the predawn hours, with several rounds of precipitation, with the strong winds peaking in the afternoon and evening.
The winds will still be stiff on Friday, with Weather Network meteorologist Tyler Hamilton estimating gusts of more than 70 km/h along the shores of lakes Ontario and Erie.
On Thursday, a gust of more than 100 km/h was recorded in Port Colborne, and gusts of 80 km/h or more were recorded at Toronto's Pearson Airport and in Windsor, with stiff gusts elsewhere.
Those winds were strong enough to whip up the surf into strong waves, and some communities along the lake shores reported some minor coastal flooding.
Although wind warnings and special weather statements were widespread Thursday, by Friday morning, statements were only in effect for the Niagara and Kingston - Prince Edward areas.
"Strong westerly winds with gusts of 70 to 80 km/h continue in the wake of a strong cold front that swept through the region Thursday," Environment Canada says for those areas. "The strong winds are expected to diminish later this morning, but remain brisk for much of the day."
The cottage is barely hanging on. Waves are getting bigger. Winds gusting to near hurricane strength. @jwhittalTWN pic.twitter.com/Yp4hfbTK2g
— Mark Robinson (@StormhunterTWN) November 12, 2015
The gusty conditions caused pockets of power outages across southern Ontario, with some of the largest concentrations in the London area.
Last week's wind storm left more than 110,000 Hydro One customers in the dark, and this week the utility announced it is taking preventative steps to minimize the potential impact on customers. As of Friday morning, around 1,500 were without power.
After Thursday's event, cool air moves in overnight into Friday and Saturday, fueling lake-effect rain showers.
"An Arctic front sweeps southeast, changing rain showers to wet flurries in parts of southern Ontario tonight," Hamilton says. "Localized accumulation possible around Georgian Bay/London snow belts before the atmosphere drives Saturday."
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With files from Cheryl Santa Maria.
