Rain, Wind, Fog, and Sun Await Holiday Travellers Across Ontario and into Manitoba
THUNDER BAY – WEATHER REPORT – If you’re planning to hit the highways from Toronto all the way to Winnipeg this Victoria Day long weekend, prepare for a cross-province weather adventure featuring everything from thunderstorms and showers to flurries and sunshine. The atmospheric roller coaster is rolling through southern, central, and northwestern Ontario, promising changing driving conditions and plenty of reasons to keep that travel mug topped up.
Southern Ontario: Toronto and the Golden Horseshoe
Kicking things off in Toronto, travellers are waking up to muggy conditions at 16°C with light showers and early-morning thunderstorms. As the day progresses, skies will clear, bringing a toasty high of 27°C with humidex values near 29. Roads are expected to be wet this morning but drying quickly by midday. Evening travellers should watch for another round of showers and thunderstorms overnight. Visibility might be reduced during these downpours, so slow down and stay alert.
Saturday brings a cooler, breezier day with strong winds from the south gusting to 50 km/h, shifting west later in the day. Roads could be slippery at times with heavy showers and ponding in low-lying areas. Sunday into Monday will reward drivers with sunny skies and dry roads—ideal for those returning home.
Central Ontario: Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie and North Shore
Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie are in for unsettled skies today with early morning showers and the chance of thunderstorms, giving way to a mix of sun and cloud with daytime highs soaring into the mid-20s. While highways should be drying by afternoon, patchy fog and slippery stretches are possible early this morning and again overnight.
Saturday will cool down with scattered showers, and Sunday will feel more like early spring with highs only around 10°C. Expect wet roads, gusty winds, and reduced visibility in patchy fog near Lake Superior and Lake Huron shores, especially along Highway 17.
Northwestern Ontario: Thunder Bay, Dryden, Sioux Lookout, Kenora, Fort Frances
The north continues its dance with every season this weekend. Thunder Bay, Dryden, and Sioux Lookout are still shaking off last night’s lightning shows and waking up to drizzle, mist, and fog this morning. Showers will linger today, with a soggy, chilly Saturday expected and even the chance of snow or flurries by Saturday night. Roads will be wet, with slick conditions overnight and patchy fog reducing visibility along Highways 17 and 11.
Kenora and Fort Frances will see periods of rain changing to ice pellets or even wet snow Friday night into Saturday. Expect poor visibility, gusty winds, and a real risk of icy patches Saturday morning, particularly on bridge decks and shaded areas.
By Sunday, the skies clear, and Victoria Day Monday will finally bring sunny skies and improved driving conditions across the northwest.
Manitoba: Winnipeg
Winnipeg has finally said goodbye to its early-week heat wave, but not to the smoke. Mist and local smoke are reducing visibility this morning with a cool 13°C. Rain and gusty winds today will make for slick, smoky roadways, especially along the Trans-Canada Highway approaching Winnipeg. Saturday will stay grey, damp, and breezy with daytime highs plunging to just 6°C. The good news? Sunshine returns for Victoria Day Monday, making for ideal homeward travel weather.
Road Safety Reminder
With such a mix of rain, fog, smoke, and even possible flurries, motorists should be prepared for changing and challenging road conditions across the route. Allow extra travel time, use your headlights in poor visibility, and check the latest highway conditions at 511ON.ca before heading out.
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) will have an enhanced presence throughout the weekend. They remind all travellers to drive sober, stay alert, obey speed limits, and buckle up. Let’s make sure everyone gets to their destination safely and returns home to tell the tale of the May long weekend weather that gave us a little bit of everything.
