NetNewsLedger Weather Desk – Kenora, Lake of the Woods, Grassy Narrows & Whitedog

Arctic Start to Sunday Across Lake of the Woods

THUNDER BAY – WEATHER Desk – Kenora and the Lake of the Woods region are waking up to a serious deep freeze this morning. At 6:00 AM CST, the temperature at Kenora Airport was –28.6°C (we’ll call it –29°C), under clear skies.

Even with that sunshine potential, the air is dangerously cold. A south-southeast wind near 8 km/h is pushing the wind chill down to about –36°C, well into frostbite-risk territory. Humidity is sitting at 78 percent, with a dew point of –31.3°C, and visibility is excellent at 32 kilometres under the clear Arctic sky. The barometric pressure is a strong 103.7 kPa and starting to fall, signalling a change as cloud and flurries move in later today.

A big warmup is on the way, but first we have a dip into the deep freeze.

Today: Brutal Morning Chill, Increasing Cloud and Flurries

Sunday will start off with a mix of sun and cloud, which might make things look a bit kinder than they feel. By around noon, skies will become cloudy, and there’s a 60 percent chance of flurries late this afternoon as a system edges closer to Northwestern Ontario.

Winds will pick up from the south, 30 km/h gusting to 50 km/h late this morning, so even though the afternoon high is expected to reach about –14°C, the wind chill will feel closer to –27°C by afternoon, after a brutally cold start near –36°C this morning.

Environment Canada notes a risk of frostbite, and that’s not just a casual warning — at these values, exposed skin can freeze in minutes, especially on cheeks, ears, fingers and toes.

Tonight and Monday: Flurries Continue, Then a Bit “Less Cold”

Tonight will stay cloudy with a 60 percent chance of flurries. The southwest wind at 30 km/h gusting to 50 km/h will ease to light after midnight. The temperature will hold steady near –14°C, and the wind chill will be near –27°C this evening, improving to around –18°C overnight as winds ease.

On Monday, expect a mix of sun and cloud with a 40 percent chance of flurries in the morning. Winds will be lighter, up to 15 km/h, and the high will climb to about –10°C. The wind chill will improve to around –14°C in the afternoon, still cold but noticeably easier to handle than this morning’s –36. Monday night stays cloudy with a 30 percent chance of flurries and a low near –11°C.

Tuesday and Beyond: From Flurries to Possible Rain Showers

Tuesday is where things get interesting. The forecast calls for cloudy skies with a 30 percent chance of flurries or rain showers and a high near +5°C. That’s a dramatic jump from Sunday’s –29°C, and it means roads, sidewalks and snowbanks could turn wet, slushy and slick as snow begins melting and refreezing.

Tuesday night turns cloudy with a low near –19°C, so any slush or standing water will refreeze, likely leading to icy conditions by Wednesday morning.

On Wednesday, skies remain cloudy with a high near –6°C, followed by a 60 percent chance of snow Wednesday night and a low near –21°C.

Thursday keeps a 40 percent chance of flurries and a high near –21°C, with cloudy periods and a very cold low near –29°C Thursday night. Friday and Saturday both bring a 30 percent chance of flurries and highs near –14°C, with nighttime lows in the mid-teens below zero.

So, after a brief taste of above-freezing temperatures Tuesday, the region slides back into a classic cold and snowy December pattern.

What to Wear Around Kenora and Lake of the Woods

This is “serious winter” weather and not the time to be underdressed, especially in the morning. With wind chills from –36°C this morning to –27°C this afternoon:

• Start with a thermal or fleece base layer (top and bottom) to hold in heat.

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

• Wear a heavy insulated winter jacket that blocks the wind.

• On your legs, snow pants or insulated pants are your best friend — jeans alone will feel like ice sheets at –30 wind chill.

• Use proper insulated winter boots with thick socks to keep your feet warm and protect against frostbite.

• A toque that fully covers your ears, thick mitts instead of thin gloves, and a scarf or neck warmer you can pull over your nose and mouth are essential when you’re out in this kind of cold.

If you’re driving, especially between communities or into rural areas, make sure you’ve got a winter emergency kit: booster cables, blanket, extra hat and mitts, flashlight, and a charged phone. In this type of cold, a minor delay can get serious quickly.

Lake of the Woods Weather Trivia – From Deep Freeze to Thaw and Back Again

The Kenora and Lake of the Woods region is well known for its temperature swings in winter. Arctic air can settle in and drive readings into the –30s, only to be followed a couple of days later by a warm Pacific flow that lifts temperatures into the plus range, just like the +5°C forecast for Tuesday.

These wild swings mean the snowpack can go from rock-hard and squeaky underfoot to soft and slushy, then back to an icy crust once the cold returns. It’s one of the reasons winter travel and outdoor plans here always come with a side of “check the forecast twice” — the lake, the jet stream and the Prairies all team up to keep the weather interesting.

The Last Word

Kenora and Lake of the Woods plunge to –29°C with wind chills near –36 this morning, flurries later, and a surprising warm-up to +5°C by Tuesday before cold returns.