NetNewsLedger Weather – Sioux Lookout Forecast
Thunder Bay – Weather Desk – Sioux Lookout is starting Wednesday under clear skies and sharp cold, a very “Hub of the North” kind of morning. At 5:00 AM CST, conditions at Sioux Lookout Airport were clear with the temperature at –19.1°C.
A light north-northwest wind at 6 km/h is enough to push the wind chill down to –24. Humidity is sitting at 82 percent with a dew point of –21.4°C, while visibility is an excellent 24 kilometres. The barometric pressure is 101.3 kPa and rising, a solid signal that today’s sunshine is no accident and that the atmosphere is settling down, at least for a bit.
Today’s forecast calls for a bright, sunny day across Sioux Lookout, but don’t let the blue sky trick you into thinking it is mild. The high is expected to reach –13°C, yet the wind chill will sit near –24°C this morning and only improve to about –19°C this afternoon.
Winds will stay light, up to 15 km/h, which means no blowing snow, just that steady, crisp cold that you feel the second you step out the door. Roads and sidewalks will stay wintery, with packed snow and icy patches hanging on in shaded spots despite the sunshine.
Tonight, the clear sky will give way to a few more clouds, with partly cloudy conditions and about a 30 percent chance of flurries. Winds remain light, up to 15 km/h, but the temperature drops to a low near –21°C. With that, the wind chill settles back to around –24 overnight. It will be another night where car block heaters, extra blankets and a hot drink all feel like very smart decisions.
Looking ahead to the Rest of the Week
On Thursday, the forecast shifts back to mainly cloudy skies with a high near –12°C. Once again, the wind stays modest at 15 km/h or less, but the wind chill will be close to –25°C in the morning before easing to about –16°C in the afternoon. Thursday night looks colder, with cloudy skies and a 60 percent chance of flurries as a weak system slides through the region, bringing the low to around –17°C.
Friday keeps the same theme going, with cloudy skies and a 60 percent chance of flurries and a high near –15°C. Light to moderate flurries could freshen up the snowpack and leave another thin coating on roads and walkways. Friday night turns even colder, with a low near –26°C under cloudy skies and a 30 percent chance of flurries lingering. That kind of low is genuine deep freeze territory, especially if you’re out late or up early.
Looking ahead to the weekend, Saturday will be cloudy with a high near –20°C and a low near –25°C under cloudy periods. Sunday offers a mix of sun and cloud with a high of around –17°C, followed by cloudy skies Sunday night and a low near –19°C. Monday and Tuesday stay mostly cloudy with highs in the minus mid-teens to around –10°C, keeping Sioux Lookout firmly in a steady mid-December pattern of cold, cloud, and occasional light snow.
Dress to Enjoy Winter Success!
When it comes to what to wear, today is very much “dress for the wind chill, not just the number on the thermometer” weather. A thermal or fleece base layer under a warm sweater and an insulated winter coat will go a long way toward keeping you comfortable. Snow pants or lined pants are a big help if you are walking to school, heading to work on foot, or spending more than a few minutes outside. Insulated winter boots with good grip will help with icy patches that are hiding under the snow.
Don’t forget the accessories. A toque that covers your ears, a good pair of mitts instead of thin gloves, and a scarf or neck warmer that you can pull up over your mouth and nose will make those –20 wind chills much easier to handle. With the sun shining today and more bright breaks expected this week, sunglasses are also a smart addition to cut the glare off the snow and protect your eyes.
Weather Trivia for the Morning Banter
As a bit of local weather trivia, Sioux Lookout’s nickname as the “Hub of the North” is more than just a slogan. The town’s airport and road links connect many remote First Nation communities across Northwestern Ontario, and winter weather like today’s plays a big part in how that hub functions.
Clear, cold days with strong ice and reliable snow cover help support winter roads and snowmobile trails, which have long been a vital part of travel, culture and community life in the region.
