As winter tightens its grip on Northern Ontario, communities across the region are experiencing frigid temperatures, light snow, and biting winds. Here’s a comprehensive weather report for Marten Falls, Wasaho Cree Nation (Fort Severn), Fort Hope, Sachigo Lake, KI (Big Trout Lake), Sandy Lake, Pikangikum, Cat Lake, Kasabonika Lake, Neskantaga (Lansdowne House), Summer Beaver, Peawanuck, and Attawapiskat for December 11 through 14, 2024.
Marten Falls (Ogoki Post):
- Current Conditions: Cloudy with light snow, temperature at -15.6°C. Barometric pressure is 1021 hPa and rising. Winds are from the northwest at 15 km/h, creating a wind chill near -22°C.
- Forecast:
- December 11: Light snow with accumulations up to 2 cm. High near -12°C, low around -18°C.
- December 12: Overcast skies with occasional flurries. High of -14°C, low of -20°C.
- December 13: Partly cloudy with a high of -13°C and a low of -19°C.
- December 14: Mostly sunny with a high of -10°C.
- Sunrise and Sunset: Sunrise at 8:24 AM; sunset at 4:24 PM.
- Wardrobe Suggestions: Layered clothing with windproof outerwear is essential. Insulated gloves and hats are recommended to protect against wind chill.
- Trivia: Marten Falls often experiences its first significant snowfall by mid-November, setting the stage for a long winter season.
Wasaho Cree Nation (Fort Severn):
- Current Conditions: Partly cloudy with a temperature of -16.7°C. Barometric pressure at 1023 hPa and steady. Winds from the north at 20 km/h, resulting in a wind chill of -25°C.
- Forecast:
- December 11: Clear skies with a high of -15°C and a low of -22°C.
- December 12: Increasing cloudiness with light snow in the evening. High of -13°C, low of -21°C.
- December 13: Snow showers with accumulations up to 3 cm. High of -12°C, low of -20°C.
- December 14: Partly cloudy with a high of -11°C.
- Sunrise and Sunset: Sunrise at 8:45 AM; sunset at 4:15 PM.
- Wardrobe Suggestions: Heavy-duty parkas, thermal layers, and face protection are crucial to combat the severe wind chills.
- Trivia: Fort Severn, being Ontario’s northernmost community, often records some of the province’s coldest temperatures during winter.
Fort Hope (Eabametoong):
- Current Conditions: Overcast with a temperature of -19.1°C. Barometric pressure at 1018 hPa and rising. Calm winds with a wind chill of -19°C.
- Forecast:
- December 11: Cloudy with light snow. High of -17°C, low of -23°C.
- December 12: Snow flurries with a high of -16°C and a low of -22°C.
- December 13: Partly sunny with a high of -15°C, low of -21°C.
- December 14: Mostly cloudy with a high of -13°C.
- Sunrise and Sunset: Sunrise at 8:30 AM; sunset at 4:20 PM.
- Wardrobe Suggestions: Insulated jackets, thermal undergarments, and waterproof boots are recommended.
- Trivia: Fort Hope’s proximity to large lakes can lead to increased snowfall due to lake-effect snow showers.
Sachigo Lake:
- Current Conditions: Clear skies with a temperature of -25.1°C. Barometric pressure at 1025 hPa and rising. Winds from the northwest at 10 km/h, producing a wind chill of -30°C.
- Forecast:
- December 11: Sunny with a high of -20°C, low of -28°C.
- December 12: Partly cloudy with a high of -18°C, low of -26°C.
- December 13: Light snow in the evening. High of -17°C, low of -25°C.
- December 14: Overcast with a high of -15°C.
- Sunrise and Sunset: Sunrise at 8:35 AM; sunset at 4:25 PM.
- Wardrobe Suggestions: Extreme cold weather gear, including insulated mittens and balaclavas, is necessary.
- Trivia: Sachigo Lake often experiences rapid temperature drops during clear nights due to radiational cooling.
KI (Big Trout Lake):
- Current Conditions: Mostly cloudy with a temperature of -23.0°C. Barometric pressure at 1022 hPa and steady. Winds from the west at 15 km/h, leading to a wind chill of -31°C.
- Forecast:
- December 11: Cloudy with a high of -19°C, low of -25°C.
- December 12: Snow showers with a high of -18°C, low of -24°C.
- December 13: Partly sunny with a high of -16°C, low of -22°C.
- December 14: Mostly cloudy with a high of -14°C.
- Sunrise and Sunset: Sunrise at 8:40 AM Sunset at 4:30 PM.
- Wardrobe Suggestions: Full cold-weather protection is essential, including insulated parkas and fleece-lined accessories to prevent frostbite.
- Trivia: KI (Big Trout Lake) frequently experiences strong wind chills due to its exposure to open terrain.
- Sandy Lake:
- Current Conditions: Cloudy skies with a temperature of -20.5°C. Barometric pressure is at 1020 hPa and rising, with a northwest wind at 12 km/h giving a wind chill of -28°C.
- Forecast:
- December 11: Snow flurries with a high of -18°C and a low of -26°C.
- December 12: Overcast with occasional snow showers. High of -17°C and a low of -25°C.
- December 13: Partly sunny with a high of -15°C, low of -23°C.
- December 14: Mostly cloudy with a high of -12°C.
- Sunrise and Sunset: Sunrise at 8:33 AM; sunset at 4:23 PM.
- Wardrobe Suggestions: Thick thermal layers paired with waterproof boots and gloves are ideal for staying warm and dry.
- Trivia: Sandy Lake is known for its deep snowpack during the winter, often attracting snowmobile enthusiasts.
Pikangikum:
- Current Conditions: Partly cloudy, temperature at -22.3°C. Barometric pressure at 1019 hPa and rising. Winds from the west at 18 km/h, creating a wind chill of -30°C.
- Forecast:
- December 11: Cloudy with light snow and a high of -20°C, low of -27°C.
- December 12: Snow showers tapering off. High of -19°C, low of -26°C.
- December 13: Partly sunny with a high of -18°C, low of -25°C.
- December 14: Mostly sunny, high of -13°C.
- Sunrise and Sunset: Sunrise at 8:38 AM; sunset at 4:28 PM.
- Wardrobe Suggestions: Prioritize windproof clothing and layers to counteract strong wind chills.
- Trivia: Pikangikum often experiences lake-effect snow due to its proximity to numerous water bodies.
Cat Lake:
- Current Conditions: Clear skies with a temperature of -23.1°C. Barometric pressure at 1021 hPa and steady. Winds from the northwest at 16 km/h, wind chill at -32°C.
- Forecast:
- December 11: Mostly sunny with a high of -21°C, low of -28°C.
- December 12: Increasing cloudiness with a high of -19°C, low of -27°C.
- December 13: Cloudy periods with a high of -18°C, low of -26°C.
- December 14: Cloudy skies with a high of -14°C.
- Sunrise and Sunset: Sunrise at 8:36 AM; sunset at 4:26 PM.
- Wardrobe Suggestions: Heavy coats, thermal underlayers, and mittens are essential to maintain warmth.
- Trivia: Cat Lake’s winters are renowned for their stark contrasts between sunny days and extreme cold.
Kasabonika Lake:
- Current Conditions: Overcast skies with a temperature of -24.5°C. Barometric pressure is 1023 hPa and rising, with light winds making it feel like -30°C.
- Forecast:
- December 11: Light snow with a high of -22°C, low of -29°C.
- December 12: Flurries likely, high of -21°C, low of -28°C.
- December 13: Partly sunny with a high of -19°C, low of -26°C.
- December 14: Mostly cloudy, high of -15°C.
- Sunrise and Sunset: Sunrise at 8:42 AM; sunset at 4:32 PM.
- Wardrobe Suggestions: Opt for insulated boots and jackets, along with face protection to avoid frostbite.
- Trivia: Kasabonika Lake often records some of the coldest overnight temperatures in the region during December.
Neskantaga (Lansdowne House):
- Current Conditions: Cloudy with a temperature of -23.0°C, barometric pressure at 1020 hPa and steady. Winds are calm, with a wind chill of -24°C.
- Forecast:
- December 11: Mostly cloudy, high of -21°C, low of -29°C.
- December 12: Overcast skies with a chance of flurries. High of -20°C, low of -27°C.
- December 13: Partly sunny with a high of -19°C, low of -25°C.
- December 14: Mostly cloudy with a high of -14°C.
- Sunrise and Sunset: Sunrise at 8:40 AM; sunset at 4:30 PM.
- Wardrobe Suggestions: Insulated gloves, hats, and scarves are critical to guard against the icy chill.
- Trivia: Neskantaga is known for its long, serene winter nights, often paired with breathtaking starlit skies.
Wrapping Up the Weather
Wardrobe Tip: Across all communities, frostbite remains a key risk. Full winter gear, including thermal layers, windproof outerwear, and insulated accessories, is non-negotiable.
Trivia: Did you know? Communities in Northern Ontario often experience a phenomenon called “diamond dust”—tiny ice crystals suspended in the air, creating a magical shimmer under clear skies.
