A fierce wind storm swept across Windsor and Essex County overnight Sunday into Monday, December 29, 2025, leaving a trail of downed trees, damaged power infrastructure, and property damage in its wake. Environment Canada had issued a wind warning for the region, forecasting dangerous gusts that materialized with significant force.
Widespread Damage and Disruptions
The intense winds, which reached speeds between 80 and 90 kilometres per hour, uprooted and snapped trees throughout the city. One large tree was torn from the ground on Homedale Boulevard in east Windsor, landing directly on a resident's vehicle. The incident, captured in photos, saw local resident Tim Lucier surveying the damage to his car on Monday morning.
The storm's impact extended to critical infrastructure. Repair crews were forced to close the intersection of Tecumseh Road East and Southfield Drive in Tecumseh to all traffic. The closure was necessary as technicians from Essex Powerlines worked to clear and repair downed hydro lines that were damaged by the heavy winds. Photos from the scene showed crews assessing the significant damage to the power lines.
Official Warnings and Safety Advice
In its warning, Environment Canada cautioned that the strong winds could lead to localized power outages and cause minor property damage, including harm to roofs, fences, and tree branches. The agency advised residents to secure any loose outdoor objects that could become hazardous projectiles in the powerful gusts. Conditions were expected to ease by Monday evening.
The wind event capped off a period of volatile holiday weather for Windsor-Essex. The region experienced an unusual warm spell on Sunday night, with temperatures reaching a high of 15 degrees Celsius, before plunging into below-freezing temperatures and snowfall by Monday morning. The dramatic shift was accompanied by wind chill values in the double-digit negatives.
Broader Weather Context and Advisories
Prior to the wind storm, the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) had issued a flood outlook statement over the weekend. The advisory warned that the combination of wet and warm weather could lead to ponding in low-lying areas and rising water levels in smaller waterways. Although the formal notice period for this advisory ended on Monday, ERCA urged the public to remain cautious near watercourses as conditions continued to be monitored.
The severe weather was not confined to southwestern Ontario. Across the border, blizzard warnings were in effect, and Lake Superior reportedly saw record-sized waves. Environment Canada also issued strong wind warnings for Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie, where forecasters predicted gusts could surge as high as 100 km/h.
Residents are encouraged to check the Environment Canada website for the most up-to-date weather warnings and forecasts.
