Kenora Winter Storm Update – Snow, Blowing Snow and Falling Temperatures

Thunder Bay – WEATHER – A powerful winter storm is impacting the Kenora, Grassy Narrows, Whitedog and the Lake of the Woods region this morning, making travel difficult and visibility highly variable.

This Yellow Winter Storm Warning from Environment Canada carries a moderate impact level and high forecast confidence, so this is a system to take seriously.

As of 6:00 a.m. CST at Kenora Airport, conditions are already tough:

• Temperature: -11.9°C

• Condition: Light snow and drifting snow

• Wind: NNE 30 km/h, gusting 46 km/h

• Wind chill: -22

• Humidity: 85%

• Pressure: 99.3 kPa, rising

• Visibility: 1.6 km

Snow and wind are teaming up to cut visibility, and that’s expected to worsen at times as the morning goes on.

Climatologically, mid-December in Kenora is normally much colder than freezing with persistent snow cover and frequent Arctic air. While exact historic high and low records for this specific date aren’t included in the data we have, the current setup – heavy snow, strong northerly winds and wind chills in the minus 20s and minus 30s – is very much in line with a typical deep-winter shot for northwestern Ontario.

Today: Snow at Times Heavy, Blowing Snow and a Sharp Drop in Temperature

Through today, snow at times heavy will continue across the Kenora region. Environment Canada is calling for an additional 5 to 10 centimetres of snow today on top of what has already fallen.

Northerly winds will ramp up further, with north winds near 40 km/h gusting to 60 km/h. That will drive local blowing snow, which can quickly drop visibility to near zero in open areas, on exposed stretches of Highway 17, and out on the ice and lakes.

The temperature isn’t climbing; it’s falling. Temperatures will slide down toward -19°C this afternoon, and with that strong wind, it will feel much colder:

• Wind chill near -21 this morning

• Wind chill near -31 this afternoon

At those wind chills, frostbite is a real risk on exposed skin, especially if you’re shovelling, snowblowing, or dealing with a stuck vehicle.

The heaviest snow totals are expected north of Highway 17, where localized amounts over 30 cm are possible by the time this system winds down.

Travel-wise, expect:

• Snow-covered, rutted and drifting roads

• Sudden reductions in visibility in heavier bursts

• Very poor conditions on side roads, rural driveways and farm lanes

Tonight: Light Snow Tapering Off, Very Cold and Windy

The good news: the storm starts to ease tonight.
The not-so-good news: the cold ramps up.

Environment Canada is calling for:

• Light snow ending late this evening, then clearing

• Local blowing snow persists this evening and after midnight

• Winds north 30 km/h gusting to 50, becoming light near midnight

• Low near -29°C

• Wind chill around -34°C

At those wind chills, frostbite can develop in minutes, especially on exposed skin. If you need to be out late tonight, make sure you’re properly covered – no bare fingers, ears or faces if you can help it.

As skies clear out later tonight, drifting may continue in open areas even as the falling snow stops. Expect plow ridges and drifts across driveways and side roads by morning.

Friday and the Weekend: Cold, Flurries and a Brief Sunny Break

On Friday, cloud will increase again with a 40 percent chance of flurries late in the afternoon. Winds will shift, becoming southeast 30 km/h gusting to 50, and the high will reach around -16°C. Wind chills remain harsh:

• Near -39 in the morning

• Near -26 in the afternoon

Friday night:

• Cloudy with 60 percent chance of snow

• Low near -18°C

Saturday brings a mix of sun and cloud with a 40 percent chance of flurries and a high near -15°C, followed by cloudy periods and a 30 percent chance of flurries Saturday night with a low near -25°C.

Sunday looks like one of the nicer days in the sequence:

• Sunny, high near -17°C

• Clear Sunday night, low near -22°C

By Monday, cloud and a 40 percent chance of snow return with a high near -11°C, and a 60 percent chance of snow Monday night with a low near -20°C.

Travel, Roofs and Safety – Not Just a “Regular” Snow Day

With 15 to 30 centimetres of snow on the ground from this system – and possibly more north of Highway 17 – this isn’t just a routine dusting.

• Roads and walkways: Expect deep snow, drifts, and ice underneath. Side streets, rural roads and driveways will be especially challenging.

• Visibility: Northerly gusts of 50 to 60 km/h can combine with loose snow to create whiteout pockets, especially along exposed stretches of highway and open areas.

• Roof loads: The growing snowpack means roofs, sheds, carports and older structures are under extra stress. Keep an eye on flat or lightly pitched roofs, awnings and older buildings where snow can build up heavily.

If you don’t need to travel, today is a good day to stay put, keep driveways clear in stages instead of tackling everything at once, and give road crews lots of room to work.

What to Wear in Kenora Today

This is full-on “serious winter” gear weather. For heading out:

• A heavy insulated parka with good windproofing

• Thermal base layers under a sweater or fleece

• Insulated winter boots with solid grip – sidewalks and parking lots will be snowy and slick

• Toque, scarf/neck warmer, and insulated gloves or mitts – essential once those wind chills drop into the -30s

• If you’re shovelling or snowblowing, consider snow pants or insulated pants to stay warm in drifting snow and strong winds

This is not the day to underestimate the cold; the combination of wind and wet, wind-packed snow will sap your heat quickly.

Kenora Weather Trivia – Storm Track and Lake of the Woods Influence

Winter storms in the Kenora region are often driven by Prairie low-pressure systems that gather moisture as they move east, then collide with Arctic air dropping south. The broad, icy expanse of Lake of the Woods doesn’t act quite like a Great Lake, but it can still slightly modify local temperatures and wind patterns, adding to the region’s variety of snow types and amounts.

It’s one reason why, during storms like this, snow totals can vary a lot between the lake shore, Highway 17, and communities farther north – sometimes by 10 cm or more in just a short drive.

The Last word on Weather:
Kenora faces 15–30 cm of snow, blowing snow, bitter wind chills near -30 and tough travel as a winter storm continues across the Lake of the Woods region today.