Hot, Hazy, and Stormy: Weather Roller Coaster Continues as Heat, Smoke, and Showers Dominate the Day

KENORA – WEATHER REPORT – It’s a two-pronged weather challenge today across the Kenora, Grassy Narrows, Whitedog, and Lake of the Woods region as the Heat Warning and Special Air Quality Statement remain firmly in effect. Temperatures are expected to once again climb to a steamy 30°C, but the lingering wildfire smoke from southeastern Manitoba and northwestern Ontario will continue to cloud the skies, reduce visibility, and compromise air quality—making it a day to stay indoors when possible.

Add in the growing threat of afternoon showers and thunderstorms, and today is shaping up to be a day where the weather has a bit of everything—hot, smoky, stormy, and soon… much cooler.

Heat and Smoke Tag-Team Kenora Today Before Dramatic Cool-Down by the Weekend

At 4:00 AM CDT, Kenora Airport reports clear skies and a balmy 19.4°C. Humidity is at 56% with a dew point of 10.4°C, and winds are from the south-southwest at 13 km/h. Visibility is currently good at 32 km, but local smoke is expected to thicken throughout the day. Pressure is at 100.2 kPa and rising—suggesting some atmospheric settling before the thunderstorms later today.

Today will start sunny and smoky, with conditions deteriorating this afternoon as clouds build and bring a 40 percent chance of showers and the risk of thunderstorms. Winds will pick up from the southeast at 20 km/h late this afternoon, and the high will climb to a sweltering 30°C. The UV index will also hit very high at 8—making this a tricky day for outdoor activities with the double whammy of heat and smoke.

Tonight will remain partly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of showers and a continued risk of a thunderstorm early in the evening. Winds will become light, and the overnight low will hold at a warm 16°C.

Thursday will bring a brief sunny start before turning to a mix of sun and cloud with another 40 percent chance of showers and the risk of an afternoon thunderstorm. Winds will return from the southeast at 20 km/h by late morning. The high will be a slightly cooler but still muggy 27°C, with a humidex of 29. The UV index will be high at 7. Showers will move in Thursday night with a much cooler low of 9°C.

Friday will feel dramatically different, with a high of just 17°C under cloudy skies and a 60 percent chance of showers. The night will remain damp with a low of 5°C.

Saturday will barely make it to 5°C, with continued showers and a potential shocker of rain showers or even flurries overnight as temperatures drop to 1°C. Sunday will slowly start the rebound with a mix of sun and cloud, a high of 13°C, and a low of 3°C Sunday night.

Safety Tips: Heat, Smoke, and Storm Preparedness

Today remains a day of caution—limit outdoor activities during peak heat and smoky conditions, stay hydrated, and seek shelter if thunderstorms develop. The air quality may approach high-risk levels, especially near the Ontario-Manitoba border, so those with respiratory issues should stay indoors with filtered air.

Kenora Weather Trivia

Did you know? Kenora’s position near the Manitoba border makes it one of Ontario’s wildfire smoke hot spots when fires burn across the Prairies. Combined with sudden cold fronts, it’s not uncommon for Kenora to see heat warnings followed by flurries in the same week—as we might see this weekend.

Kenora’s Weather Records for May 14

Kenora’s record high for today is 31.1°C, while the record low is -2.9°C. Today’s high of 30°C comes close to the historical mark—but with Saturday’s forecast low near 1°C and the risk of flurries, it’s another classic Lake of the Woods weather swing.