THUNDER BAY – WEATHER DESK – Environment Canada has issued Special Weather Statements across a broad stretch of Northwestern Ontario, including Fort Frances–Emo–Rainy River, Kenora–Grassy Narrows–Whitedog, Dryden–Vermilion Bay, Ignace–English River, Sioux Lookout–Eastern Lac Seul, and the City of Thunder Bay. The agency says a Colorado Low will push snow into the region beginning Monday night, March 30, and continuing into Tuesday evening, March 31, with 10 to 15 centimetres possible in many areas, reduced visibility in heavier snow, and totals that could still shift if the storm track changes.
Reality is, especially in Thunder Bay where there has been a lot of snow, and it seems Winter is not interested in moving on and letting Spring get started, people are wearing out the Winter Blues.
Overall the regional pattern is fairly consistent: clouds will thicken through Monday, snow developing from west to east Monday evening and overnight, and Tuesday stays wintry with periods of snow and colder air locked in behind the system.
By Wednesday, April 1, most of Northwestern Ontario turns sunnier but remains chilly, with highs generally near 0°C to 3°C before a modest rebound later in the week.
Kenora and the Lake of the Woods area look likely to be on the lower end of the snowfall range, but still messy enough to create travel problems. Environment Canada’s detailed forecast calls for periods of snow Monday night with about 5 cm, followed by another 2 to 4 cm on Tuesday and a daytime high near -1°C. The broader statement still allows for 10 to 15 cm in the zone, while noting lower amounts are more likely closer to the Minnesota border.
Fort Frances will also see deteriorating weather Monday night, though the city forecast currently suggests somewhat lighter in-town totals than the top end of the statement. Snow is expected to begin overnight Monday, with Tuesday bringing periods of snow, 2 to 4 cm, and a high near 1°C. Like Kenora, Fort Frances sits closer to the Minnesota border, where Environment Canada says lower totals are more likely even though the regional statement still warns of 10 to 15 cm potential.
Dryden is in a more active part of the storm track. The forecast calls for snow to begin Monday evening, with 2 to 4 cm overnight and another 5 cm on Tuesday, when the high will struggle to about -2°C. Environment Canada’s statement says 10 to 15 cm remains possible in the broader Dryden–Vermilion Bay area if the heavier snow band lines up over the district.
Sioux Lookout is also under a Special Weather Statement, and the area is expected to turn fully wintry by Monday evening. Forecast details show 2 to 4 cm Monday night, about 5 cm Tuesday, and a cold Tuesday high near -5°C. That sets up a prolonged stretch of slick roads, reduced visibility at times, and a hard freeze Tuesday night as temperatures drop to around -15°C.
Ignace faces much the same setup as Dryden and Sioux Lookout. The current forecast calls for cloud thickening Monday with flurries possible in the afternoon, then periods of snow beginning Monday evening with 2 to 4 cm overnight and another 5 cm on Tuesday. Environment Canada’s statement for Ignace–English River also carries the same 10 to 15 cm potential through Tuesday evening, again with the warning that snowfall amounts could shift if the Colorado Low changes track.
Thunder Bay is also in the path of this system, though the city forecast currently points to a somewhat lower total in the urban area than the upper end of the statement. Snow is expected to begin Monday evening with about 2 cm overnight, followed by another 5 cm Tuesday before tapering later in the day. Even so, the Special Weather Statement for Thunder Bay still warns that 10 to 15 cm is possible in the region if the storm evolves a little differently.
For travellers, this is a good time to be cautious rather than optimistic. Environment Canada says roads and walkways may become difficult to navigate, untreated surfaces may turn icy and slippery, and motorists should allow extra time to reach their destination. Across Highway 17, Highway 11, and connecting regional roads, conditions can change quickly once the steadier snow begins Monday night, so drivers should slow down, leave extra stopping distance, keep a winter kit in the vehicle, and check the latest forecast and alert before heading out.
The good news is that this system is not expected to linger deep into the week.
Sunshine returns Wednesday in Kenora, Fort Frances, Dryden, Sioux Lookout, Ignace, and Thunder Bay, but the cold remains in place, with overnight lows mostly in the -8°C to -15°C range before temperatures recover a bit later in the week.
In other words, Northwestern Ontario is getting one more solid reminder that March and early April can still behave very much like winter.
