NetNewsLedger Weather Desk – Wasaho Cree Nation (Fort Severn)

WASAHO CREE NATION – WEATHER DESK – For Ontario’s furthest north community, winter is not easing up. Wasaho Cree Nation is starting this Monday in full Arctic mode: cloud, cold, and more snow and blowing snow lining up off Hudson Bay.

At 6:00 AM EST, Fort Severn Airport reported cloudy skies and a temperature of –16.9°C (rounded to –17°C). With a west wind near 9 km/h, the wind chill sits around –23°C. Humidity is high at 92 percent, with a dew point near –17.9°C, and visibility is about 16 kilometres under the cloud deck.

The pressure sits at 101.1 kPa, reflecting a cold, unsettled pattern typical for mid-December on the shores of Hudson Bay.

For this latitude, mid-December highs in the minus teens and minus twenties are the norm. The current pattern is classic Fort Severn: bitter, windy, and about to get even more unforgiving as snow and blowing snow move in.

Today: Mainly Cloudy, Windy, and Biting Cold

Today will be mainly cloudy, with the wind doing most of the work in making things feel harsh. A northwest wind near 30 km/h gusting to 50 km/h will keep the air feeling much colder than the thermometer shows.

The daytime high is forecast near –17°C, but the wind chill will be close to –30°C, enough for a clear risk of frostbiteon exposed skin. This is the kind of day where a quick walk between buildings is fine if you’re properly bundled, but any longer time outside needs full winter gear.

Tonight: Snow Arriving, Cold Deepening

Tonight will start partly cloudy, then cloud will thicken near midnight as snow moves in. About 5 centimetres of snow is expected overnight, freshening up the landscape and adding to drifts.

Winds will shift through the night: west 20 km/h, then becoming south 20 km/h gusting to 40 km/h after midnight as the system passes. The temperature will drop to around –22°C, and the wind chill will fall to near –33°C this evening and around –27°C overnight.

Those values mean frostbite can develop quickly, especially for anyone travelling by snowmachine, working outside, or spending extended periods outdoors without proper protection.

Tuesday: Snow, Blowing Snow and Strong Winds

Tuesday is shaping up as a high-impact winter day for Wasaho Cree Nation. The forecast calls for periods of snow, with blowing snow late in the afternoon. Snowfall amounts of 5 to 10 centimetres are expected, enough to reduce visibility and build new drifts along riverbanks, trails and open areas.

Winds will be the big story:

• Northwest 20 km/h near noon,

• then increasing to 40 km/h gusting to 70 km/h later in the day.

That combination of fresh snow and strong wind will create local whiteout conditions at times and make travel challenging. The high will be near –14°C, but the wind chill will be around –23°C in the morning and close to –28°C in the afternoon. Once again, frostbite risk is high.

Tuesday night stays cloudy with a 60 percent chance of flurries, plus local blowing snow and windy conditions, with a low near –29°C. It will be one of those nights where the snow squeaks underfoot, and any exposed skin feels the sting of the wind almost immediately.

Mid-Week: Bitter Sunshine and Deep Cold

On Wednesday, the community will see a mix of sun and cloud with a 30 percent chance of flurries and a high near –24°C. The sun will be welcome, but it won’t provide much warmth – the air will remain brutally cold.

Wednesday night turns clear, with a low near –31°C. Under clear skies, heat escapes quickly, and temperatures tumble. It’s the kind of night where vehicles need to be plugged in and people and pets both need solid shelter and warmth.

Thursday brings a mix of sun and cloud with a 30 percent chance of flurries and a high around –26°C, keeping daytime conditions sharply cold. Thursday night continues with cloudy periods and a 30 percent chance of flurries, and a low near –32°C.

Looking ahead:

• Friday: Sunny with a high near –26°C, then cloudy Friday night with a low around –26°C.

• Saturday: Cloudy with a high near –24°C, then clear Saturday night with a low around –30°C.

• Sunday: Sunny with a high near –27°C.

The pattern is clear: this is deep, persistent Arctic cold, with snow events and blowing snow adding extra challenges, especially Tuesday and Tuesday night.

What to Wear in Wasaho Cree Nation

This is full Arctic gear weather, not “just grab a hoodie” weather. To stay safe and comfortable in wind chills dipping into the –30s:

• Start with a proper base layer – thermal or fleece tops and bottoms to hold in body heat.

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

• Top it with a heavy insulated parka designed for wind and extreme cold.

On your legs, insulated pants or snow pants are essential, particularly if you’re using a snowmachine, working outdoors, or walking any distance between homes and community buildings.

For your feet, insulated winter boots and thick, warm socks are key. At –25°C to –30°C wind chills, thin footwear means cold feet in minutes.

A toque that fully covers your ears, thick mitts instead of thin gloves, and a scarf or neck warmer that can be pulled up over your nose and mouth are all necessary when wind chills are in the –30°C range. For snowmachine travel or longer time out on the land, goggles or glasses help protect eyes from blowing snow and wind.

If you’re travelling between cabins, camps or neighbouring communities, extra mitts, spare socks, a second hat and additional layers are smart to carry. In this level of cold, having backup warmth is more than comfort — it’s safety.

Far North Trivia – Ontario’s Arctic Edge

Wasaho Cree Nation, near Fort Severn, holds a unique title: the furthest north community in Ontario. It sits on the shores of Hudson Bay, closer to the Arctic than to many places people think of when they hear “Ontario.”

That location means winter comes early, stays late, and often shows its harshest side here first:

• Long stretches of –20°C to –30°C temperatures,

• frequent blowing snow,

• and wind chills that rival those of the central Arctic.

At the same time, the snow and ice that winter brings are also what create winter roads, snowmachine routes and travel paths that connect people, families and communities across the North. The same storms and deep freezes that make life challenging are also part of how life here works — shaping culture, travel and daily routines in this remarkable northern community.

Last Word on the Wasaho Weather:
Wasaho Cree Nation faces –17°C and –30 wind chill today, snow and blowing snow Tuesday, and a deep Arctic freeze with lows near –31 to –32°C later in the week.