‘Hazardous winds’: Hamilton under wind warning Wednesday

Hamilton is under a wind warning as it breaks record high temperatures.

Environment Canada said in a weather statement early Wednesday morning that hazardous wind gusts of up to 90 kilometres per hour are expected to hit the city this afternoon and into the evening as temperatures are set to soar to double digits.

It will feel more like March than mid-February, says the weather service.

Temperatures are expected to top out at 15 C Wednesday afternoon, creating severe wind conditions.

Record high temperatures for Feb. 15 in Hamilton were broken before 10 a.m. when the city hit 10 C, according to Environment Canada.

The previous record high for this date was 8.9 C recorded by the weather service in 1976.

The average temperature expected in the area for this date in mid-February is -1.3 C. The record low is -23.5 C recorded in 1987.

Beware of flying debris as loose objects and tree branches are tossed around by the wind, Environment Canada says.

Drivers, especially in trucks and high-profile vehicles, are cautioned of heavy crosswinds, making driving hazardous on highways.

Residents are warned to avoid wooded areas to prevent injury from possible falling trees. Campers should move to sturdy shelters, the weather service added.

Wind warnings are issued by Environment Canada when a high risk of damaging winds is expected.

Winds should die down overnight as the mercury falls to around -1 C. On Thursday, rain and a daytime high of 4 C is in the forecast, while Friday will bring rain or snow and temperatures dropping to around -4 C.

Jennifer Moore is an editorial assistant at The Spectator. jmoore@thespec.com