NetNewsLedger Weather – Sandy Lake Weather Outlook

Thunder Bay – WEATHER DESK – Sandy Lake is starting this Thursday in full deep-winter mode. At 5:00 AM CST, conditions at Sandy Lake Airportwere clear but brutally cold, with the temperature at –27.6°C.

Sandy Lake holds the spot as coldest temperature in Ontario this morning.

There’s no wind to speak of this morning, which is the only gentle part of the setup, but that still leaves the air feeling every bit of that –28°C.

The humidity is 78 percent, with a dew point of –30.3°C, and visibility is 16 kilometres under the clear, pre-dawn sky. The barometric pressure sits at a firm 101.9 kPa, signalling a stable, cold high-pressure system overhead. In short: the weather isn’t wild today, it’s just very, very cold.

Today: Bright but Bitter, with a Bite in the Air

Through the day, Sandy Lake can expect a mix of sun and cloud, a classic northern winter sky. Winds will be light, up to 15 km/h, and the high is forecast to reach –14°C. That sounds almost “mild” compared to this morning, but don’t be fooled.

The wind chill will sit near –27°C this morning, improving only to around –17°C this afternoon. That’s well into the range where exposed skin can become very cold very quickly, especially for kids walking to school or anyone out on the land. Even with the sunshine, this is not a day to underdress.

Tonight: Clouds Roll In, Light Snow on the Way

Tonight, skies turn cloudy, with a 40 percent chance of flurries late this evening and after midnight, followed by periods of light snow beginning overnight. Around 2 cm of new snow is expected by Friday morning — just enough to freshen up the snowpack and make surfaces a bit more slippery.

Winds remain light, up to 15 km/h, and the temperature will drop to around –17°C. The wind chill will stay near –17°C this evening, then slide down to about –24°C overnight. Not quite as harsh as early this morning, but still very cold, especially for anyone travelling late or doing early-morning chores.

Friday: Snow, Falling Temperatures, and Frostbite Risk

Friday brings periods of snow in the morning, adding another 2 cm or so before easing early in the afternoon. After that, the sky will turn into a mix of sun and cloud with a 40 percent chance of flurries.

A northwest wind around 20 km/h will develop and then ease later in the day. The unusual twist is the temperature falling to around –21°C in the afternoon, instead of warming up. With that, the wind chill will sit near –30°C, and frostbite becomes a real concern, especially on exposed cheeks, noses, ears and fingers. If you’re heading out on a snowmobile, working outside, or travelling between communities, this is serious “cover up everything” weather.

Friday night brings cloudy periods with a 30 percent chance of flurries and a low near –23°C, keeping Sandy Lake firmly in the deep freeze.

Weekend: Classic Northern Winter – Cold, Quiet and Bright

The weekend keeps things very northern and very winter:

• Saturday: A mix of sun and cloud with a high near –19°C.

• Saturday night: Cloudy periods with a low around –25°C — another sharp, clear, deep-cold night.

Further into the outlook:

• Sunday: A 40 percent chance of snow with a high near –14°C, and an increased 60 percent chance of snow Sunday night with a low near –18°C.

• Monday: A 30 percent chance of flurries, high near –13°C, and another snow chance Monday night with a low near –20°C.

• Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of snow and a relative “warm-up” to –6°C, before dropping back to –16°CTuesday night with more snow chances.

It’s a very typical stretch for a northern community like Sandy Lake in mid-December: persistent cold, frequent light snow, and not much thawing in sight.

What to Wear in Sandy Lake

This is “full winter armour” weather, not just “throw on a sweater” weather. To stay safe and comfortable:

• Start with a thermal or fleece base layer (top and bottom) to trap your body heat.

• Add a warm mid-layer, like a hoodie or sweater.

• Top it all with a heavy insulated parka built for serious cold.

• Snow pants or insulated pants are a must if you’re out on the land, on a machine, or walking any distance.

• Wear insulated winter boots with thick socks — cold feet will make everything feel worse.

• A toque that fully covers your ears, thick mitts instead of thin gloves, and a scarf or neck warmer to pull over your face are essential, especially Friday when wind chills near –30°C.

• Goggles or sunglasses help protect your eyes from both the brightness of the snow and the sting of cold air.

In these temperatures, it’s a good idea to keep trips outside short when you’re not fully geared up, and to check on elders, kids, and pets who may be more sensitive to the cold.

Weather Trivia – Sandy Lake’s Deep-Winter Strength

Sandy Lake sits far from the warming influence of the Great Lakes, which is why true Arctic-style cold settles in so easily here. While the cold can be harsh, it also supports strong ice and reliable snow cover, which are vital for winter travel, traditional activities, and connecting with surrounding lands and communities. The same –30°C wind chill that makes your eyelashes frost over is also what helps build solid winter roads and safe ice routes — an essential part of life in the Far North.

Last Words:
Sandy Lake plunges to –28°C under clear skies, with sun and cloud today, snow arriving tonight, and wind chills near –30°C Friday.