Vital Northern Air Hubs Face Cold Snap and Light Snow
SIOUX LOOKOUT – WEATHER – Sioux Lookout and Pickle Lake, critical for passenger and cargo flights in Northern Ontario, respectively, are experiencing a chilly -12°C with light snowfall early this morning. The barometer’s reading of 101.3 kPa and rising indicates improving weather conditions, albeit slowly. With 79% humidity and northwest winds blowing at 22 km/h, the wind chill factor plunges to a frosty -21°C, necessitating caution for all outdoor activities, including air operations.
Today: Clouds and Chance of Flurries Amidst Travel
The forecast calls for cloudy skies with a 30 percent chance of flurries throughout the day. Winds from the northwest at 20 km/h, gusting to 40 km/h, will become lighter by the afternoon. The high is expected to reach -8°C, with wind chills of -22°C in the morning warming slightly to -13°C by the afternoon. The low UV index of 1 suggests minimal sunlight, typical of Northern Ontario winters.
![The light dusting of snow gets airborne in Pikangikum as the North Star Air Basler BT-67 lands.](https://www.netnewsledger.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/NSA-BT-67-landing-in-Pikangikum-Toys-for-the-North-2020.jpg)
Tonight: Continued Cloudy with Flurries
As night falls, the chance of flurries remains at 30 percent under cloudy skies. The wind will ease up to 15 km/h, bringing the temperature down to a low of -13°C. The wind chill is expected to feel like -16°C, affecting those traveling or working outdoors.
Sunday, 11 Feb: A Flurry-Filled Day
The weather on Sunday sees mainly cloudy skies with a 60 percent chance of flurries, indicating a busier day for both air hubs in managing runway conditions and visibility. The wind chill in the morning will be around -16°C, improving to -8°C in the afternoon despite a high of only -6°C. Such conditions underscore the importance of winter readiness for both travel and cargo operations.
Sunday Night: Cold Continues with Chance of Flurries
The likelihood of flurries persists into the night with a 30 percent chance under cloudy periods, and temperatures dropping to a low of -18°C. These conditions may impact late-night and early-morning flights, highlighting the need for continuous weather monitoring.
Operational Advisory for Air Hubs
For Sioux Lookout and Pickle Lake, this weekend’s weather conditions call for heightened preparedness, particularly in maintaining clear runways and ensuring the safety of both passengers and cargo. Travelers are advised to check their flight statuses and prepare for potential delays.
Air operators will be adapting operations as needed to the changing weather conditions to ensure safety and minimize disruptions.