NetNewsLedger Weather Desk – Webequie First Nation

Thunder Bay – WEATHER – Webequie is waking up to classic Far North winter this Monday morning: grey skies, light snow, and a wind that cuts right through lighter jackets.

At 6:00 AM EST, observations show light snow and a temperature of –13.8°C (rounded to –14°C).

The humidity is 89 percent, with a dew point of –15.2°C, and visibility sits near 16 kilometres through the light snow. A west wind at 11 km/h makes it feel closer to –20°C in the wind chill, and the barometric pressure is 101.3 kPa, signalling a typical early-winter pattern that’s about to turn more active – and much colder.

For mid-December in Webequie, daytime highs in the minus teens and nights dipping into the minus twenties are standard. The current setup is very much in the “normal but harsh” zone for the Far North – with some truly dangerous cold expected later this week.

Today: Mainly Cloudy, Flurries and a Sharp Wind Chill

Today will be mainly cloudy, with a 40 percent chance of flurries this morning. Winds will shift, with southwest 20 km/h becoming northwest 20 km/h gusting to 40 km/h early this morning, before easing to light this afternoon.

The high is forecast near –13°C, but with the wind, it will feel much colder. Wind chill values will sit near –25°C, enough to make quick trips outside feel very brisk and to push longer outdoor time into frostbite risk territory if skin isn’t properly covered.

Tonight: Colder, Windier, and Frostbite Risk Grows

Tonight stays mainly cloudy, but the wind direction and intensity become more of a factor. Winds will become south 20 km/h, gusting to 40 km/h after midnight as the next system approaches.

The overnight low will tumble to about –23°C, and the wind chill will sit near –24°C this evening and drop to around –34°C overnight. That’s a level of cold where frostbite can develop quickly on exposed skin, especially for anyone travelling by snowmachine, walking longer distances, or spending extended time outdoors.

Tuesday: Snow, Blowing Snow and Biting Morning Cold

On Tuesday, Webequie is in for a significant snow day. The forecast calls for cloudy skies, with snow and local blowing snow beginning in the morning. Snowfall amounts of 5 to 10 centimetres are expected, enough to cover old tracks, build drifts in open areas, and reduce visibility at times.

Winds will be southwest 30 km/h, gusting to 50 km/h, before becoming light in the afternoon. The high temperature will climb to near –4°C, so it won’t stay brutally cold all day, but the morning will be harsh.

The wind chill Tuesday morning will be near –30°C, improving to around –9°C in the afternoon as winds ease and temperatures nudge closer to the warm side of the minus single digits. Even so, with blowing snow, travel will feel challenging, particularly over open stretches and around community roads and trails.

Tuesday night will bring periods of snow and a low near –22°C, keeping fresh snow on the ground and helping set up the deep cold that follows.

Mid-Week: Brief Bright Spell, Then Back to Snow and Extreme Cold

On Wednesday, Webequie gets a visual break as conditions shift to a mix of sun and cloud with a 30 percent chance of flurries and a high near –15°C. It will look nicer, but still feel very cold, especially in any light breeze.

Wednesday night turns cloudy with a 40 percent chance of flurries and a low near –22°C, maintaining a solid Far North chill.

On Thursday, snow returns again, with daytime snow and a high near –19°C. The steady snow will keep travel challenging and visibility reduced at times, especially away from tree cover or buildings that block the wind.

Thursday night is where the real deep freeze arrives:

• Cloudy periods

• 60 percent chance of flurries

• Low near –33°C

At this level of cold, frostbite can develop very quickly, vehicles have a tougher time starting, and proper cold-weather planning becomes crucial for anyone heading out on the land or between communities.

The pattern stays wintry into the weekend:

• Friday: 60 percent chance of flurries, high near –18°C; 60 percent chance of snow Friday night, low near –18°C.

• Saturday: 40 percent chance of flurries, high near –15°C; 60 percent chance of snow Saturday night, low near –28°C.

• Sunday: 40 percent chance of flurries, high near –21°C.

In short: cloudy and cold today, big snow and blowing snow Tuesday, and then a long stretch of deep, dangerous cold with on-and-off flurries and snow.

What to Wear in Webequie

This is serious winter gear weather from start to finish, especially as wind chills drop into the –30s. To stay safe and comfortable:

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

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

• Top it with a proper insulated winter parka that blocks wind and sheds snow.

• On your legs, insulated pants or snow pants are important, especially if you’re using a snowmachine, working outside, or walking any distance.

For your feet, insulated winter boots and thick socks are essential. Cold ground and blowing snow will quickly numb toes in thin footwear.

A toque that covers your ears, thick mitts instead of thin gloves, and a scarf or neck warmer pulled over your nose and mouth will help protect against frostbite when the wind chill dips toward –30°C or lower.

If you’re travelling on the land or between communities, packing extra mitts, a spare hat, additional layers, and emergency supplies is a smart move – especially with Tuesday’s blowing snow and Thursday night’s extreme cold.

Far North Trivia – Snow as a Highway

In communities like Webequie, winter’s snow and cold don’t just bring challenges; they also create seasonal highways. As snow deepens and the cold strengthens the ice on lakes and rivers, routes open up for snowmachine travel that simply don’t exist in the warmer months.

This week’s pattern – steady snow Tuesday, more snow Thursday, and a strong deep freeze – will help firm up trails, smooth out the land, and support travel for hunting, visiting, and daily life. The same cold that makes the air sting is also what turns the surrounding land and water into a connected winter network, shaping how the community moves and lives through the season.

Last Word on the Webequie Weather:
Webequie faces –14°C and flurries today, snow and blowing snow Tuesday with 5–10 cm, then a plunge into extreme cold with lows near –33°C and ongoing flurries.