Gorgeous Spring Weather Today Before Smoky Skies Return Friday
Morning Calm Sets the Stage for a Sunny Day Ahead
Fort Frances & Rainy River – Thursday, May 29, 2025: It’s a mild and humid morning in Northwestern Ontario, with temperatures sitting at 12.2°C and humidity at 82%. While observations at Fort Frances Airport didn’t note cloud cover directly, the forecast confirms that early skies are a mix of sun and cloud — a calm start ahead of a much brighter, warmer afternoon. The dew point is 9.3°C, and a light westerly breeze is drifting through at 7 km/h, though expect that to shift later today. Barometric pressure sits at 102.0 kPa and falling, a gentle indicator of changes ahead, including a breezier afternoon.
Sunny, Breezy, and Summer-Like by Noon
The forecast today calls for skies to clear by midday, giving the Fort Frances region a beautiful late-spring day. With temperatures rising to a high of 27°C and a UV index of 7, it’s a perfect opportunity to soak up the sun — with sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat, of course.
By this afternoon, expect northwest winds to pick up to 20 km/h, helping clear any lingering humidity but also introducing slightly gustier conditions heading into the evening. Perfect for drying laundry or enjoying some patio time — as long as your napkin game is strong.
Clear and Calm Tonight
Tonight, skies remain clear, and northwest winds gusting up to 40 km/h will ease as the evening wears on. The overnight low of 13°C makes for ideal sleeping weather — just be sure to close the windows if you’re sensitive to smoke, because…
Friday Brings Sunshine — and Smoke
Friday will bring more summer heat, with a scorching high of 29°C, but local wildfire smoke is expected to drift into the region by late morning and afternoon. If you’re spending time outside, especially for strenuous activities or if you fall into a sensitive health category, limit exposure and consider a mask during hazy periods.
Winds will start from the west at 20 km/h but will shift to a stronger north wind near noon, gusting up to 50 km/h, likely pushing the smoke further into the area.
Weekend Forecast: Slight Shower Risk, Then More Sunshine
Saturday brings a mix of sun and cloud and a 30% chance of showers, with a high of 26°C. A quick sprinkle could offer some brief relief from the smoke, though it’s not expected to amount to much.
Saturday night remains clear with a low of 11°C, and Sunday returns to full sunshine and another warm high of 28°C. That summer preview continues into the night with a balmy low of 14°C.
What to Wear and Watch For
Today calls for summer clothing — T-shirts, shorts, sunglasses, and definitely sunscreen. But keep an eye on the wind and be prepared for smoke-related air quality alerts on Friday. Sensitive groups, outdoor workers, and those with asthma or chronic conditions should stay informed and limit extended exposure.
Historic Temperatures for May 29
Fort Frances has experienced record highs nearing 32°C, and record lows around 1.7°C for this date. With a forecast high of 27°C today, we’re comfortably within the “it’s basically summer” range — without quite hitting the record books.
Rainy River Trivia: How Breezy Is It, Really?
Did you know that Fort Frances sits along a region known for frequent air mass shifts due to the proximity of Lake of the Woods and Rainy Lake? These lakes create wind corridor effects — perfect for cooling down a hot day or kicking up a wildfire smoke warning.
