THUNDER BAY – WEATHER – Ontario is split right now between hazardous winter travel in parts of the south and dangerous cold in the northwest and Far North, with lake-enhanced snow still causing issues near Lake Superior.
Environment Canada’s alert map shows a mix of Orange Warnings (blizzard / snow squalls) and Yellow Warnings (cold, snow squalls, blowing snow) across the province.
Province-Wide Alert Snapshot
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Orange Warnings (High impact) are posted for parts of southwestern and central Ontario where blizzard conditions and/or snow squalls can quickly drop visibility and make travel hazardous.
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Yellow Warnings (Moderate impact) include:
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Cold warnings in Northwestern Ontario and the Far North (wind chills near -40 in spots).
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Snow squall and blowing snow alerts in multiple regions, depending on local wind and lake effect setup.
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City Highlights
Toronto
Alert status: No alerts in effect (as of Monday morning).
Toronto is cold and mostly cloudy this morning, but the bigger “heads up” for the GTA is that conditions can still change quickly if snow squalls develop in nearby regions under warnings/watches.
Sudbury
Alert status: No alerts in effect (as of Monday morning).
Even without an active warning, Sudbury is seeing winter conditions (light snow reported at the airport), so take it steady on roads and sidewalks.
Sault Ste. Marie
Alert status: Special Weather Statement for lake-enhanced snow.
Environment Canada is warning of reduced visibility in heavier bursts and local 5–10 cm snowfall, with the statement noting rapid changes as lake-effect bands move through.
Geraldton (Greenstone Region)
Alert status: No alerts in effect (as of Monday morning).
It remains very cold in the region, with light snow reported at Geraldton Airport—still a day to bundle up and plan extra time if you’re travelling.
Dryden
Alert status: Yellow Warning – Cold.
This warning calls out wind chills near -40, with the cold risk continuing into late morning and potentially returning again tonight for some locations. Frostbite can happen fast when skin is exposed.
Kenora (Lake of the Woods Region)
Alert status: Yellow Warning – Cold.
The same wind chill near -40 messaging applies here—limit time outside, cover exposed skin, and keep emergency supplies handy if you’re driving out of town.
Travel and Safety Notes
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If you’re in an Orange Warning area: avoid non-essential travel if you can; visibility can drop to near zero in blowing snow or squalls.
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If you’re in a Cold Warning area (Dryden/Kenora): dress for wind chill, not just the thermometer—warm layers, windproof outer layer, face/hand coverage.
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Near Lake Superior (Sault): be ready for sudden whiteout-style bursts under lake-effect bands.
Wardrobe Recommendations
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NW Ontario (Kenora/Dryden): insulated boots, windproof coat, snow pants if outdoors, balaclava/neck gaiter, mitts (not gloves).
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Lake Superior shore (Sault): winter coat + traction footwear; goggles can help if snow is blowing.
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Southern Ontario (Toronto and surrounding regions): full winter gear is still smart—even where alerts aren’t active, conditions nearby can spill over quickly.
Weather Trivia
Lake-effect (or lake-enhanced) snow happens when cold air moves over relatively warmer open water, picking up moisture and then dropping it as snow downwind—one reason visibility can change dramatically over short distancesnear the Great Lakes.
Weather Summary
Ontario weather alerts update for January 19, 2026: Orange blizzard/snow squall warnings in parts of the province, Yellow cold warnings in Northwestern Ontario, and a special weather statement for lake-enhanced snow near Sault Ste. Marie. Includes Toronto, Sudbury, Geraldton, Dryden, and Kenora.
