High Winds Follow
Record Breaking Mild Temperatures
Most of Southern Ontario was under a high wind warning as the record breaking mild temperatures were replaced with more seasonal values on Wednesday January 9th. High winds brought down branches throughout the streets of Collingwood.
High Winds Blow Into Town
The record breaking mild temperatures moved out with a bang as high winds along the southern Georgian Bay shoreline ushered in colder temperatures. Most of Southern Ontario was under a wind warning as the colder air moved into the province. Power outages were reported throughout the region as hydro crews scrambled to restore the electricity to residents and businesses. Blue Mountain, hit hard by the mild temperatures, was forced to close its quad chairlift "The Silver Bullet" due to high winds. The Peak FM was forced off the air due to a power outage, as was The Beach in Wasaga Beach. Area rivers and streams continued to bulge with excessive runoff caused by temperatures that hit the mid-teens earlier in the week along with heavy rain and even thunderstorms.
The high winds chruned up the waters of Nottawasaga Bay along Collingwood's shoreline. High waves could be seen as far as the eye could see as winds gusted to 90 km/h. Collingwood's Sunset Point is now ice-free following the January thaw and rough water brought on by high winds.
The snow was gone and the grass was actually turning green along the shoreline of Sunset Point Park as the waves came crashing in.
One ice hut remained clinging to what ice was left in Collingwood Harbour on Wednesday January 9th (above). Ice Hut owners scrambled to get their huts off the ice (below) while the open water closed in behind them.
High winds along Collingwood's waterfront caused problems at the Collingwood Yacht Club, blowing this blue tarp (below) off a sailboat that had been prepared for winter storage.
This isn't the first time high winds have caused problems at the Yacht Club. A previous wind storm blew this sailboat (below) off its trailer where it had been stored for the winter.
Winds along the Collingwood shoreline were gusting up to 90 km/h as a cold front came crashing in, pushing away the record breaking mild temperatures. Traffic lights were out because of a power failure at the busy intersection of First Street and Hurontario Street on Wednesday morning.
In Toronto, delays were reported on at least three Toronto-bound GO trains because of wind-blown debris covering the train tracks, including a portion of a protective chain-link fence. About 20 flight delays were reported at Pearson International Airport. The airport was forced to close some runways because of a strong crosswind.