From Muggy and Stormy to Chilly and Cloudy – Fort Frances Region’s Long Weekend Weather Rollercoaster
FORT FRANCES – WEATHER REPORT – After days of intense heat, the Fort Frances, Atikokan, and Red Gut First Nation areas are trading in the sunscreen and short sleeves for umbrellas, raincoats, and perhaps even a warm sweater or two. The Victoria Day Long Weekend forecast promises a taste of everything: lingering humidity and thunderstorms today, a steady parade of showers on Friday, and an unseasonably cold and cloudy weekend where flurries could flirt with the region Saturday night.
Currently at 5:00 AM CDT, the temperature is a balmy 15.9°C under a thick blanket of humidity at 88%, with winds from the east at 14 km/h and the barometric pressure at 100.2 kPa and falling—classic signs that stormy weather is brewing.
The Forecast: A Soggy, Stormy Start Before a Frosty Finish
Today will feature mainly cloudy skies with a 40 percent chance of showers, and the risk of a thunderstorm developing this afternoon. Winds will become a significant factor, picking up from the east at 20 km/h this morning, escalating to a gusty southeast 40 km/h, with gusts reaching 60 km/h this afternoon. The high will rise to a sticky 27°C, with a humidex of 30 making things feel extra muggy. The UV index will hit high at 7—so even under the clouds, don’t skip the sunscreen if you’re outside.
Tonight, showers will become more consistent, with a continued risk of thunderstorms through the evening and overnight. Winds will maintain their blustery mood, with southeast winds gusting up to 60 km/h before easing slightly after midnight. The low will cool to 11°C.
Friday will bring steady showers throughout the day, accompanied by calming winds as they shift to light easterlies in the afternoon. The high will cool to a much more seasonable 15°C, and the UV index will dip to a moderate 3. Friday night remains cloudy with a 40 percent chance of showers and a chilly low of 2°C—yes, just above freezing.
Saturday will keep the clouds coming, along with a 40 percent chance of rain showers or even the odd flurry. Highs will hover at a cool 11°C, while the night will stay cloudy with a low of 2°C—hardly ideal for outdoor overnight plans.
Sunday continues the gloomy trend with cloudy skies and a high of 11°C, but the night will bring a slight reprieve with some cloudy breaks and a low of 3°C.
Victoria Day Monday will finally offer a more typical spring day, with a mix of sun and cloud and a milder high of 17°C. The night will turn cloudy once again with a low of 8°C.
Pack for Every Season – and Don’t Forget the Rain Boots
Travelers and cottagers heading out this long weekend should be ready for it all—humid and windy conditions today, umbrellas and rubber boots tomorrow, and gloves and extra blankets by Saturday night. Those planning to camp should be ready for a potential frost risk Friday night into Saturday, and Sunday morning campfires might feel more like autumn than May.
Fort Frances Weather Trivia
Did you know? The Fort Frances area is no stranger to dramatic May reversals. In May 2004, the region experienced 28°C heat followed by a dusting of snow two days later. This year’s long weekend is poised to add its name to that quirky list.
