Sweltering Sunshine and Sticky Nights Take Hold Across Northwestern Ontario
FORT FRANCES – WEATHER REPORT – Fire up the fans and fill those water bottles—Fort Frances, Atikokan, Shebandowan, and Nigigoonsiminikaaning First Nation are in the sizzling spotlight as the season’s first Heat Warning rolls in. With temperatures expected to soar to the low 30s and nightly lows refusing to dip below 20°C, this heat event is turning up the thermostat on an already warm May.
Sizzling Days and Sleepless Nights: The Forecast Through Friday
This morning at 5:00 AM CDT, it was a deceptively cool 10.0°C at Fort Frances, but don’t let the number fool you—the heat is closing in. Humidity sits low at 35%, and easterly winds are moving at 20 km/h. The barometric pressure reads 101.7 kPa and is on a downward trend, foreshadowing atmospheric instability and hotter days ahead.
For today, early morning showers and a risk of a thunderstorm will give way to a mix of sun and cloud, with skies clearing fully this afternoon. The mercury will spike to a blazing 32°C—the highest forecasted high among all Northwestern Ontario regions today—with a UV index of 8 that’s officially in “very high” territory. Sunscreen and shade aren’t optional—they’re survival gear.
Winds will shift to the southwest at 30 km/h, gusting to 50 km/h, continuing into the evening as skies remain clear and the nighttime low holds at a very warm 20°C. Yes, that’s your nighttime temperature!
Monday will be another sunny scorcher. South winds will ramp up to 40 km/h, gusting to 60 by late morning. The high temperature will reach 31°C, with the UV index staying at a skin-sizzling 8. Monday night remains clear with a low of 18°C.
Tuesday mirrors Monday with sunny skies and another 31°C high, followed by a clear night and a low of 16°C.
Wednesday brings a slight cooldown—barely—with a mix of sun and cloud and a 30 percent chance of showers. The high will still reach 30°C. Overnight, expect a 60 percent chance of showers with a low of 14°C.
Relief may finally arrive Thursday with more widespread showers and a cooler high of 24°C. Rain will continue into the night with a low of 9°C. By Friday, temperatures drop sharply to a high of just 14°C under cloudy skies and a 40 percent chance of showers.
Heat Safety & Smart Dressing
With heat and sun like this, it’s all about light, breathable, and protective clothing. Think linen shirts, wide-brimmed hats, and sandals that let your toes breathe. Stay indoors during peak sun hours when possible, or better yet, post up at a library or cooling centre with a good book and some iced tea.
Stay vigilant for signs of heat exhaustion—nausea, dizziness, fatigue, or dark urine. Don’t wait until you’re parched—drink water throughout the day.
Historical Weather for May 11
Fort Frances has seen it all on May 11—from a record high of 33.0°C to a record low of -3.2°C. Today’s forecast is breathing down the neck of that historic high, so we’re likely making weather history of our own this week.
Fort Frances Fun Fact
Did you know Fort Frances once held the title for the hottest place in Ontario on a May day in 1963? The mercury hit a blistering 36.7°C. So while today’s heat is intense, the town’s been here before—and has the sweat-stained T-shirt to prove it.
