Wind warnings in effect for parts of Ontario, Quebec

A wind warning is in effect for Toronto, as well as much of southern and eastern Ontario, as the effects of Hurricane Sandy begin to be felt in eastern Canada.

“The remnants of hurricane Sandy will arrive later today as a large and powerful post tropical fall storm over southern Ontario,” Environment Canada noted in a statement Monday.

The Toronto area could see wind gusts of 90 km per hour Monday, and other Ontario regions including the areas around London, Hamilton, Niagara Falls and Ottawa will also experience strong winds.

Rainfall is less of a concern than winds in Ontario, although a “total of 20 to 40 mm is likely today through tonight due to Sandy’s effects, especially  across Niagara extending west towards the St Thomas area,” Environment Canada said.

Wind warnings are also in effect for parts of western Quebec, including Montreal, Laval and the St. Lawrence River Valley.

The intense winds could potentially cause broken tree limbs, possibly downing utility lines, the government noted. Leaves blocking drainage systems could also raise the risk of flooding.

Hurricane Sandy is likely to make landfall in the eastern United States late Monday. The storm has prompted major evacuations, transit closures and states of emergencies in several eastern U.S. states.

Image: Hurricane Sandy as seen from space Oct. 28 at 9:02 a.m. ET. (Credit: NASA GOES Project)