NetNewsLedger Weather – Border Country Mid-Week Chill

Thunder Bay – WEATHER DESK – It’s another firmly winter morning across Fort Frances, Atikokan and Nigigoonsiminikaaning First Nation, with cold air settled in and fresh flurries drifting through the region.

Old Man Winter has unplugged the heating pad on his recliner, and his remote control is set to winter.

Weather at 5:00 AM CST: observations from Fort Frances show a temperature of –9.9°C, feeling closer to –15°C in a north wind near 10 km/h. Humidity is sitting at 85 percent, with a dew point of –11.9°C, and barometric pressure at 101.2 kPa and rising, a sign that the atmosphere is gradually stabilizing after recent systems pushed through.

While Environment Canada says conditions were listed as “not observed” for sky cover at the time, the forecast and satellite trends support what many are seeing out the window: mainly cloudy skies with scattered flurries, and a classic early-December chill hanging over Rainy River District.

Today: Morning Flurries, Afternoon Clearing, and a Sharp Wind Chill

Through this morning, expect mainly cloudy skies with a 60 percent chance of flurries, especially along open stretches and through low-lying areas. The snow isn’t expected to add up to much, but it will be enough to keep side streets and rural roads slick, especially where previous snow has been lightly packed.

As the day goes on, conditions will gradually clear this afternoon, with more breaks of sun developing. Winds from the north at 20 km/h will ease and become light early this morning, but the cold air is firmly in place.

The daytime high will only reach –12°C, and with the breeze and dry Arctic air, wind chills will sit near –15°C this morning and drop closer to –21°C this afternoon. It’s one of those days that looks nicer as the sky clears but doesn’t feel any warmer when you step outside.

Tonight: Clear, Calm, and Very Cold

Tonight, skies turn clear, which is good news for star-gazing but bad news for thermometers. With little cloud cover to hold in heat, the temperature will drop to near –24°C. Winds remain light, up to 15 km/h, but that’s enough to bring the wind chill down to about –20°C this evening and near –26°C overnight.

Those values put the region right into risk-of-frostbite territory, especially for anyone walking longer distances, working outside, or heading out late at night. It’s a good time to make sure vehicles are plugged in, emergency kits are stocked, and everyone has proper winter gear ready at the door.

Thursday and Friday: Sunshine, Then Flurries and a Deeper Freeze

Thursday looks bright but bitter. The forecast calls for mainly sunny skies, with winds up to 15 km/h and a high near –12°C. The catch? Wind chills will drop to around –28°C in the morning, which means exposed skin can start to freeze in a relatively short time. The afternoon will feel “warmer” but still sharp, with wind chills near –18°C.

Thursday night, cloud returns with a 60 percent chance of flurries and a low around –15°C, as another weak disturbance brushes the area.

Friday stays cloudy with a 60 percent chance of flurries and a colder high of –16°C, adding another dusting of snow to what’s already on the ground. Friday night turns into another deep-freeze, with cloudy periods, a 30 percent chance of flurries, and an overnight low near –25°C. That’s a serious “extra blanket and plug-in-the-car” type of night.

Looking into the weekend and early next week, the pattern stays quite steady:

• Saturday: A mix of sun and cloud, high near –20°C, low around –24°C.

• Sunday: Cloudy with a high near –16°C, and another cloudy night close to –18°C.

• Monday and Tuesday: Cloudy skies, with highs nudging up into the minus low teens and around –7°C by Tuesday — still below freezing, but a hint of moderation.

What to Wear in Fort Frances, Atikokan & Nigigoonsiminikaaning – Dress for Warm!

This is “true winter gear” weather, not “grab a hoodie and hope for the best” weather. Wind chills in the –20s demand a bit of planning before heading out:

• Start with a thermal or fleece base layer to trap heat.

• Add a warm sweater or hoodie, then top it with a proper insulated winter jacket.

• Snow pants or lined pants are a big help if you’re walking, working outside, or out at the rink.

• On your feet, choose insulated winter boots with good traction and thick socks — icy patches and packed snow will be common.

• A toque that covers your ears, warm mitts instead of thin gloves, and a scarf or neck warmer you can pull up over your mouth and nose will make those –20 wind chills much easier to handle.

With sunshine expected this afternoon and on Thursday, sunglasses are also a smart addition to cut down glare from fresh snow and low-angled winter sun.

Weather Trivia – Border Country Cold

Fort Frances and Atikokan sit along one of the better-known “cold corridors” in Ontario, sharing winter patterns with neighbouring International Falls — a place nicknamed the “Icebox of the Nation.” That reputation carries over the border: long stretches of sub-zero temperatures, frequent light snows instead of big blizzards, and plenty of blue-sky days where the air sparkles and the snow squeaks underfoot. It’s tough weather — but people here are even tougher.