Wind warning and power outages in Hamilton, as gusts may reach 80 km/h

Hamilton was largely spared a snow dump last weekend, but a special weather statement regarding gusting winds was issued early on Monday afternoon.

Environment and Climate Change Canada says that “strong southwesterly winds with gusts up to 80 km/h” are expected to be prevalent throughout the day before “ending early this evening.” Alectra Utilities, the hydro provider in the city, says it is already dealing with one east end power outage that is affecting more than 300 customers.

The federal climate and weather agency adds that, “Isolated power outages are possible.” On the ground in Hamilton, residents should also be aware that “loose objects may be tossed by the wind and cause injury or damage.”

The reported outage in the east end is along and south of Barton St. E. in the McQuesten West neighbhourhood, near the Red Hill Valley Parkway. Alectra has given a 4:30 p.m. ETR (expected time of resumption) for affected residents and business operators.

UPDATE: #Outage in Hamilton affecting approx 319 homes and businesses. Crews Continuing to Investigate. ETR updated to 4:30 pm. For more info via https://t.co/EFEjqBLWEo #pwrout ^pa

— Alectra (@alectranews) November 21, 2022

South of Hamilton, the Hydro One utility has sent crews out as a pre-emptive measure in anticipation there will be outages.

Hamilton had some of the white stuff over the weekend, when lake-effect snow blanketed Niagara region, some parts of Buffalo and also the area along the northeastern shore of Lake Ontario in Kingston.