NetNewsLedger Weather Desk – Geraldton / Greenstone Winter Storm Warning

THUNDER BAY – WEATHER – Hazardous winter conditions are lining up for the Geraldton, Greenstone, Longlac and Caramat region as a powerful system targets the area tonight through Friday.

Environment Canada has issued an ORANGE Winter Storm Warning, with 30 to 50 centimetres of snow expected and the potential for local amounts exceeding 50 cm, along with strong winds and blowing snow that could make travel extremely difficult or even impossible at times.

The weather will have a major impact on travel over the next two days.

Current Conditions – Snowy and Brisk This Morning

As of 6:00 AM EST, conditions at Geraldton Airport show winter already settling in. It is –14.2°C with light snowfalling and a northwest wind near 21 km/h, gusting to 33 km/h.

That wind is driving the wind chill down to about –23, making it feel significantly colder than the actual air temperature. The humidity is at 79 percent with a dew point of –17.1°C, and visibility is reduced to about 5 kilometres in the light snow. The barometric pressure sits at 100.8 kPa, indicating the atmosphere is in transition ahead of the stronger system that arrives later.

Storm Setup – 30 to 50 cm of Snow and Blowing Snow

Environment Canada’s Impact Level is High and Forecast Confidence is High for this event. A strong low pressure system will move into the region beginning tonight, bringing snow at times heavy and strong northerly winds that will combine to produce blowing snow and near-zero visibility at times.

Snow will begin tonight, intensify through Thursday, and gradually taper off from west to east during the day on Friday. The expected totals are impressive: 30 to 50 centimetres of snow, with a real possibility that some locations could see more than 50 centimetres if they sit under the heaviest bands.

In addition to the heavy snow, northerly winds gusting as high as 70 km/h are expected on Thursday, easing gradually through Friday. The combination of heavy snow and strong winds will lead to drifting, whiteout conditions and very difficult travel, especially in open areas and along exposed stretches of highway.

There is still some uncertainty in the exact track of the low pressure system, which will determine exactly where the heaviest snow falls. However, the Geraldton and Greenstone region is firmly within the corridor of concern.

Today and Tonight – Quiet Start Before the Storm

Today, the region can expect mainly cloudy skies with a 40 percent chance of flurries late this afternoon. Winds will shift from northwest 20 km/h gusting to 40 to light early this morning, and then become southwest near 20 km/hlater in the morning. The high will be around –9°C, with a wind chill near –24 this morning and around –14 this afternoon, so it remains quite cold even ahead of the main storm.

Tonight, clouds thicken further with a 40 percent chance of flurries this evening, then snow at times heavy beginning near midnight. Expected snowfall overnight is 10 to 15 centimetres. Winds will increase from the south to near 20 km/h late this evening, and the temperature will actually rise to around –5°C by morning as warmer air moves in aloft. The wind chill will sit near –15, so it will still feel sharply cold despite the slight warm-up on the thermometer.

By daybreak Thursday, the storm will already be well underway, with a fresh blanket of new snow on the ground and more on the way.

Thursday – Storm Day: Heavy Snow, Blowing Snow and Dangerous Wind Chills

Thursday is the main storm day for Geraldton and the Greenstone region. The forecast calls for snow at times heavy with local blowing snow. An additional 15 to 25 centimetres of snow is expected on top of what falls overnight, bringing storm totals into the 30 to 40 centimetre range by evening, with more still possible beyond that.

Winds will be a major part of the story, with northeast winds of 30 km/h gusting to 50 km/h creating blowing and drifting snow. These winds will reduce visibility, especially in open and rural areas, and could lead to whiteout conditions at times.

The temperature will fall to around –17°C in the afternoon, and the wind chill will be near –14°C in the morning and plunge to around –31°C by the afternoon. At those wind chills, frostbite can develop in a short time on exposed skin, especially for those stuck outside in stalled vehicles or handling snow clearing.

Thursday night continues with snow and local blowing snow and windy conditions, with the temperature dropping further to a low near –26°C. By this point, significant snow accumulation, drifting, and deep cold will likely make travel very difficult, and some road closures are possible.

Friday and the Weekend – Cold, Snowy and Blustery

On Friday, the region will still feel the storm’s influence, with a mix of sun and cloud and a 60 percent chance of snow. Local blowing snow and windy conditions remain in the forecast, and the high temperature will be around –18°C. With wind, it will feel even colder, and conditions underfoot will remain slippery and uneven, with ruts, drifts, and hard-packed snow.

Friday night brings cloudy periods with a 60 percent chance of snow and a low near –28°C, reinforcing the deep cold.

On Saturday, another round of snow is expected with a high around –12°C, followed by snow again Saturday nightand a low near –24°C.

By Sunday, the pattern eases slightly to a 40 percent chance of flurries and a high near –16°C, and a 30 percent chance of flurries Sunday night with a low around –23°C. Monday brings a mix of sun and cloud with a high near –10°C, and the chance of snow returns Monday night and into Tuesday with temperatures remaining below seasonal norms.

In short, this is not a quick hit. After the heavy snow and strong winds of Thursday, the region stays locked in a cold, snowy pattern into early next week.

Travel and Safety – Avoid Non-Essential Trips

With 30 to 50 centimetres of snow, strong winds and blowing snow, and temperatures dropping into the –20s with wind chills near or below –30, travel will be very challenging. Roads and walkways are expected to be very difficult to navigate, with deep snow, drifts, and ice sealed beneath fresh accumulation.

Drivers should be prepared for:

• Rapidly changing visibility, including sudden whiteouts.

• Snow-covered, icy highways and side roads, with hidden ruts and slick patches.

• Possible road closures or significant delays, especially on rural routes and stretches exposed to drifting.

If possible, avoid non-essential travel during the height of the storm from Thursday into Friday. If you must drive, ensure your vehicle is equipped with winter tires, carry a winter emergency kit, and let someone know your route and expected arrival time.

What to Wear in Geraldton / Greenstone

For this storm and the deep cold that follows, dressing properly is essential. Start with a thermal base layer on both top and bottom to keep body heat close. Add a warm mid-layer like a fleece or wool sweater, then top it with a windproof, insulated parka that can handle both heavy snow and strong winds.

On your legs, snow pants or insulated pants will make a big difference, particularly if you are shovelling, using a snow blower, or walking any distance in deep drifts.

Choose insulated winter boots with excellent traction to handle both icy sections and deep snow. Pair them with warm, moisture-wicking socks. Finish the outfit with a toque, insulated mitts or gloves, and a neck warmer or scarf that you can pull up over your face in high winds. Goggles or sunglasses can also help in blowing snow.

Greenstone Weather Trivia – Big Snow is Part of the Story

The Geraldton / Greenstone region sits in a zone where continental storm systems, Arctic air, and moisture from the Great Lakes can intersect. That geography helps explain why multi-day winter storms with 30 centimetres or more of snow are part of the local climate story.

While not every December brings a storm of 30 to 50 cm, events like this are a reminder of just how quickly conditions can go from routine winter cold to high-impact storm in Northern Ontario. For long-time residents, a forecast like this often signals the true arrival of mid-winter.

The Last Word:
Geraldton and Greenstone face a major winter storm with 30–50 cm of snow, blowing snow, near-zero visibility and wind chills near –30°C from tonight through Friday.