THUNDER BAY – WEATHER – Marathon is waking up to a calm but very important weather day along the north shore of Lake Superior. As of 5:00 AM EST at Marathon Airport, the temperature is sitting at a chilly –11.1°C under skies not yet fully observed, but cloud is already building.
Humidity is a very moist 90 percent, with the dew point at –12.4°C, and the barometric pressure is at 101.6 kPa and rising, ahead of the incoming system.
Winds are light out of the east-southeast at 5 km/h, giving a wind chill of about –14°C and visibility near 5 kilometres in light snow and haze.
Environment Canada has issued a Special Weather Statement for Marathon–Schreiber, calling for significant snowfall today into tonight. A developing weather system will spread snow across a large portion of northern Ontario, and with embedded lake-effect enhancement off Lake Superior in southwest winds, snowfall totals of 10 to 15 centimetres are possible for the Marathon area.
This combination of system snow and lake-effect means that some neighbourhoods could see less, while others see heavier bursts and rapidly changing conditions.
Snow, Squalls and Blowing Snow Through Today and Tonight
Today will stay cloudy with a 30 percent chance of flurries late this morning before steadier flurries begin early this afternoon. As the southwest winds strengthen ahead of the system, there is a risk of snow squalls developing this afternoon, especially closer to the Lake Superior shoreline. Local blowing snow is expected this afternoon as winds shift and ramp up, with local daytime snowfall amounts near 5 centimetres.
By early this afternoon, winds will become west at around 30 km/h with gusts up to 50 km/h. The daytime high is forecast to reach –3°C, which may feel relatively mild compared to recent days, but the wind will keep the wind chill near –20°C this morning and around –9°C this afternoon. That means it will still feel sharply cold in exposed areas, even as the thermometer creeps closer to zero.
Tonight, the flurries will continue into the evening, with another 5 centimetres or so possible before the steadier snow tapers near midnight. After that, skies stay cloudy with a 60 percent chance of flurries lingering through the night. There remains a risk of snow squalls this evening, and local blowing snow may continue as the wind swings to the northwest at 30 km/h, gusting to 50 km/h. The low will plummet to about –19°C, and wind chills will fall from around –14°C in the evening to near –27°C overnight. Those values push conditions into frostbite-risk territory, particularly for anyone outdoors for extended periods.
Taken together, the 5 centimetres expected today plus 5 more tonight bring totals right into the 10 to 15 centimetre snowfall range mentioned in the Special Weather Statement. With gusty winds and lake-effect enhancement, some stretches of Highway 17 near Marathon and Schreiber could see rapidly changing visibility, snow-covered pavement, and drifting snow, making travel hazardous at times.
Weekend Outlook: Colder but Quieter, Then More Snow on the Horizon
Saturday will bring some improvement in terms of active weather, but not in terms of the cold. A mix of sun and cloud is expected with a 40 percent chance of flurries, and the temperature will hold steady near –16°C through the day. With wind chills near –28, there will be a continued risk of frostbite on exposed skin, especially in the morning and in open areas along the highway and shoreline. Saturday night brings cloudy periods with a 30 percent chance of flurries and a low near –20°C.
Sunday looks calmer and brighter, with sunshine and a high near –12°C. It will be one of those crisp, blue-sky winter days that Marathon is famous for, although it will still feel quite cold. Sunday night, cloud returns along with a 60 percent chance of snow and a low near –11°C as another system approaches.
Looking into early next week, Monday will be cloudy with a high near –6°C and cloudy periods overnight with a low around –14°C. Tuesday brings a 40 percent chance of flurries with temperatures flirting with the freezing mark near 0°C, followed by a 40 percent chance of flurries Tuesday night and a low near –4°C. Wednesday is expected to be cloudy with a high near –2°C, and Thursday brings another 40 percent chance of snow and a high near –8°C, keeping the north shore firmly in winter’s grip.
What to Wear and How to Travel Today
For anyone in Marathon and Schreiber, today is a day to dress like you are going to be outside longer than you plan, because snow and wind have a way of changing plans. You will want a warm, insulated winter coat, ideally with a hood that can be pulled up when the snow squalls and gusts roll through. A good base layer under a sweater or hoodie will help trap heat, and snow pants or lined pants will make a big difference if you are shovelling, walking to work or school, or dealing with a stuck vehicle.
Winter boots with good grip are essential, as fresh snow over older compacted snow can make sidewalks, driveways and parking lots very slippery. A toque that covers your ears, warm mitts rather than thin gloves, and a scarf or neck warmer you can pull over your face will help take the bite out of those –20 to –27 wind chills. It is also a good day to toss an extra blanket, booster cables, and a small emergency kit into the vehicle, especially if you are driving Highway 17, where heavy snow and blowing snow can reduce visibility quickly.
Lake Superior Snow Machine – Local Weather Trivia
The Marathon–Schreiber corridor is one of the classic snow belts of northern Ontario thanks to Lake Superior. When cold air flows across the relatively warmer lake, it picks up moisture and drops it as enhanced snowfall along the shore and slightly inland. That is why you can leave one community under light flurries and drive into another that is suddenly getting hammered by heavy snow and reduced visibility. The same lake that brings cool breezes in summer turns into a powerful snow machine in winter, reminding everyone along Highway 17 that the weather here is anything but boring.
Last Word
Marathon and Schreiber face 10 to 15 cm of snow today into tonight, with snow squalls, blowing snow, and hazardous travel along Highway 17.
