August 21, 2026: Northwestern Ontario Weather — Foggy Start Gives Way to Afternoon Showers and Thunderstorm Risk
Thunder Bay – Weather Desk – Northwestern Ontario is starting Friday with areas of dense fog, high humidity and light winds, but the weather will become more active this afternoon. Kenora, Fort Frances, Red Lake, Vermilion Bay, Dryden, Sioux Lookout and Pickle Lake all have a 40 percent chance of showers this afternoon along with a risk of thunderstorms.
Morning fog is especially significant around Dryden and Sioux Lookout, where visibility was down to just 200 metresearly today. Temperatures will recover nicely, however, with afternoon highs ranging from 21°C in Pickle Lake to 25°C in Fort Frances. Northwest winds increase in several locations as the day progresses.
The weekend starts cooler and breezier Saturday before sunshine becomes widespread Sunday.
Today’s Weather Overview
Kenora
Current Conditions
At 7:00 AM CDT, Kenora Airport was reporting partly cloudy skies and 15.4°C. Humidity was 89 percent, barometric pressure was 101.5 kPa and rising, and west winds were blowing at 13 km/h. Visibility was 24 kilometres.
A mix of sun and cloud continues today. Fog patches dissipate this morning, followed by a 40 percent chance of afternoon showers and a risk of a thunderstorm. Northwest winds increase to 20 km/h this afternoon.
Kenora reaches 24°C, with a humidex of 27 and a high UV index of 6. Tonight remains partly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of evening showers and another thunderstorm risk. The low is 12°C.
Fort Frances
Current Conditions
At 7:00 AM CDT, Fort Frances was sitting at 14.9°C with humidity at 100 percent. Pressure was 101.5 kPa and rising, while east-northeast winds were almost calm at 3 km/h. The observing station did not provide a sky-condition report at that hour.
Fog patches dissipate through the morning before a mix of sun and cloud takes over. There is a 40 percent chance of showers this afternoon with a risk of thunderstorms.
Northwest winds develop at 20 km/h late this morning. Fort Frances will be the warmest community in today’s regional forecast, reaching 25°C with a humidex of 28. The UV index is 6, or high.
Tonight brings a 40 percent chance of evening showers and a thunderstorm risk before conditions improve. The low is 13°C.
Red Lake
Current Conditions
Red Lake had a cool, damp start. At 7:00 AM CDT, Red Lake Airport was reporting fog patches and 9.6°C. Humidity was 95 percent, pressure was 101.4 kPa and falling, and north winds were light at 3 km/h.
Early sunshine gives way to a mix of sun and cloud. There is a 40 percent chance of showers this afternoon with a thunderstorm risk.
Northwest winds strengthen to 20 km/h gusting to 40 km/h late this afternoon. The high reaches 22°C.
Tonight remains partly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of evening showers and thunderstorms. Winds ease later this evening, with a low of 11°C.
Vermilion Bay
Current Conditions
Environment Canada’s nearby Rawson Lake station reported 12.5°C at 7:00 AM CDT. Humidity was very high at 97 percent, pressure was 101.5 kPa and rising, and southwest winds were only 3 km/h.
Fog patches will dissipate this morning. A mix of sun and cloud follows, but there is a 40 percent chance of afternoon showers and a risk of thunderstorms.
The daytime high reaches 23°C, feeling closer to 26 with the humidex. The UV index is 6, or high.
Tonight will be partly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of evening showers and thunderstorms. The low drops to 11°C.
Dryden
Current Conditions
Fog was a major concern around Dryden early Friday. At 7:15 AM CDT, Dryden Airport was reporting fog and 12.1°C, with humidity at 99 percent and pressure at 101.6 kPa.
South winds were light at 8 km/h, but visibility had fallen to only 200 metres. Drivers should allow extra stopping distance where fog remains thick.
The fog dissipates this morning, followed by a mix of sun and cloud. There is a 40 percent chance of showers this afternoon and a risk of a thunderstorm.
Dryden reaches 23°C, with a humidex of 26 and a high UV index of 6.
Tonight remains partly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of evening showers and thunderstorms. The overnight low is 11°C.
Sioux Lookout
Current Conditions
Sioux Lookout also began Friday in dense fog. At 7:00 AM CDT, the airport was reporting 12.3°C, humidity of 100 percent and pressure of 101.6 kPa and rising.
North winds were just 3 km/h, while visibility had dropped to only 200 metres.
Fog patches dissipate this morning, with a mix of sun and cloud developing. There is a 40 percent chance of afternoon showers and a risk of thunderstorms.
The high reaches 22°C, with a humidex of 25 and a high UV index of 6.
Tonight remains partly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of evening showers and thunderstorms. North winds strengthen to 20 km/h before morning, with a low of 11°C.
Pickle Lake
Current Conditions
Pickle Lake had the brightest start in the region. At 7:00 AM EST, Pickle Lake Airport was reporting sunny skies and 11.6°C.
Humidity was 96 percent, pressure was 101.4 kPa, and southwest winds were light at 5 km/h.
Clear conditions early this morning give way to a mix of sun and cloud. A 40 percent chance of showers develops this afternoon, along with a risk of a thunderstorm.
Northwest winds strengthen to 30 km/h this afternoon, and the high reaches 21°C.
Tonight stays mainly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of showers and an early-evening thunderstorm risk. Northwest winds settle near 20 km/h before morning, with a low of 12°C.
Tomorrow’s Forecast
Saturday, August 22
Saturday brings cooler air and a stronger north-to-northwest flow across much of Northwestern Ontario.
Kenora: Sunshine early, followed by a mix of sun and cloud. Northwest winds increase to 20 km/h gusting to 40. High 21°C, with a clear Saturday night and low of 8°C.
Fort Frances: Sunny early before some cloud develops. Northwest winds reach 20 km/h gusting to 40. High 23°C, feeling closer to 25. Saturday night clears and falls to 9°C.
Red Lake: A mix of sun and cloud with a 30 percent chance of afternoon showers. North winds reach 20 km/h gusting to 40. High 20°C, followed by a clear night and low of 7°C.
Vermilion Bay and Dryden: Both communities start sunny before clouds increase. Northwest winds reach 20 km/h gusting to 40. Highs will be around 21°C, followed by clear skies and overnight lows of 8°C.
Sioux Lookout: A mix of sun and cloud with a 30 percent chance of afternoon showers. North winds of 20 km/h will gust to 40. High 19°C, with a clear night and low of 9°C.
Pickle Lake: Saturday will be noticeably colder and cloudier. There is a 30 percent chance of morning showers, with northwest winds at 30 km/h. The high reaches only 16°C before skies clear Saturday night and temperatures fall to 8°C.
Sunday, August 23
Sunday looks like the best outdoor-weather day of the weekend across Northwestern Ontario.
Kenora will be sunny with a high of 23°C. Fort Frances gets sunshine and 22°C, while Red Lake, Vermilion Bay and Dryden each reach 23°C under sunny skies. Sioux Lookout will be sunny at 22°C, and Pickle Lake rebounds to 21°Cwith sunshine.
Sunday night will be clear across the region, although it turns chilly in places. Sioux Lookout falls to 7°C, while most other communities settle between 9°C and 11°C.
Monday, August 24
Clouds and shower chances begin returning Monday, but temperatures remain pleasant.
Kenora reaches 23°C with a mix of sun and cloud and a 30 percent chance of showers. Fort Frances warms to 25°C, also with a 30 percent shower chance. Red Lake reaches 23°C under cloudy skies with a 30 percent chance of showers.
Vermilion Bay and Dryden both climb to 24°C with a 30 percent chance of showers. Sioux Lookout also reaches 24°Cwith a mix of sun and cloud and a 30 percent shower chance.
Pickle Lake has the best Monday forecast of the group, with sunshine and a high of 23°C before clouds and a 40 percent chance of showers move in Monday night.
Wardrobe Recommendations
Friday starts cool and damp, so layers are the best approach. A light jacket or hoodie will be comfortable through the foggy morning, while short sleeves should work well once temperatures rise into the low to mid-20s.
A light rain jacket or compact umbrella is worth carrying this afternoon in every community because showers and thunderstorms are possible. Sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat are also recommended from Kenora through Dryden and Sioux Lookout, where the UV index reaches the high category.
Saturday will feel cooler, particularly in Red Lake, Sioux Lookout and Pickle Lake. A wind-resistant jacket will be useful with north and northwest winds gusting to 40 km/h in several areas. Pickle Lake’s high of only 16°C will make a sweater or fleece comfortable even during the afternoon.
For people camping, fishing or spending the weekend at camp, pack a warmer evening layer. Overnight temperatures drop into the 7°C to 9°C range in several communities Saturday and Sunday nights.
Weather Trivia
Friday’s temperatures are running slightly above the late-August normals in much of Northwestern Ontario. Environment Canada lists normal August 21 highs of about 22°C in Kenora, 23°C in Fort Frances, 21°C in Red Lake, Vermilion Bay, Dryden and Sioux Lookout, and 20°C in Pickle Lake. Today’s forecast highs are generally one to two degrees warmer than those values.
The widespread morning fog is also typical of late-summer weather when clear or partly clear nights allow temperatures to fall close to the dew point. When temperature and dew point meet, the air becomes saturated and tiny water droplets can form near the ground, sometimes reducing visibility dramatically—as happened around Dryden and Sioux Lookout this morning.
Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada observations and public forecasts issued early Friday, August 21, 2026. Forecasts may be updated during the day, especially where thunderstorms are possible.
