Thunder Bay – WEATHER DESK – A messy winter system is sliding through the Far North this morning, bringing periods of snow and pockets of freezing drizzle, followed by gusty northwest winds and a sharp drop in temperature tonight.
Several communities will see blowing snow at times and wind chills cold enough for frostbite risk overnight.
Today’s Weather Overview
Weather Alerts
YELLOW ADVISORY – Freezing Drizzle
-
Cat Lake area (Pickle Lake – Cat Lake): Light ice accretion expected this morning, with icy and slippery roads/walkways possible.
-
Sandy Lake area (Sandy Lake – Weagamow Lake – Deer Lake): Freezing drizzle may linger through the morning before transitioning toward light flurries; slick surfaces are likely.
Current Conditions (early morning)
-
Cat Lake: Current conditions not observed on the Environment Canada page at update time.
-
Sandy Lake: Cloudy -4.4°C, WNW 17 km/h gusting 32, pressure 100.3 kPa, wind chill -10.
-
Ogoki Post / Marten Falls (Ogoki Post Airport): Light snow -14.2°C, SSE 18 km/h gusting 35, pressure 101.0 kPa, wind chill -23, visibility 13 km.
-
KI (Big Trout Lake/Kitchenuhmaykoosib): Light snow -9.4°C, SW 11 km/h, pressure 100.2 kPa, wind chill -15.
-
Kasabonika Lake: “Observed at” Big Trout Lake Airport: Light snow -9.4°C, SW 11 km/h, pressure 100.2 kPa, wind chill -15.
-
Sachigo Lake: “Observed at” Big Trout Lake Airport: Light snow -9.4°C, SW 11 km/h, pressure 100.2 kPa, wind chill -15.
Three Days Forecast
Expected Conditions
Cat Lake
-
Today (Thu): Periods of snow or freezing drizzle ending near noon, then cloudy with 60% chance of flurries; high -3. NW wind strengthens with gusts; wind chill improves to around -9 this afternoon.
-
Tonight: Windy and much colder; low -23, wind chill near -35 overnight; frostbite risk.
-
Friday: Mix of sun and cloud; high -17 with continuing wind and frostbite risk.
-
Saturday: Cloudy with 60% chance of snow; high -13.
Sandy Lake
-
Today (Thu): Periods of snow or freezing drizzle ending near noon, then cloudy with 40% chance of flurries; high -4.
-
Tonight: Mainly cloudy; low -23 with wind chill near -35; frostbite risk.
-
Friday: Mix of sun and cloud; high -19 (winds ease late); frostbite risk early.
-
Saturday: Cloudy with 60% chance of snow; high -11.
Ogoki Post / Marten Falls
-
Today (Thu): Periods of snow, about 2 cm; high -5. Wind shifts through the day; morning wind chill near -27improves this afternoon.
-
Tonight: Mainly cloudy with 60% chance of flurries; local blowing snow; low -23 with wind chill near -36 and frostbite risk.
-
Friday: Mainly cloudy; 40% chance of morning flurries with local blowing snow; high -17 with frostbite risk.
-
Saturday: Increasing cloudiness; high -17.
KI (Big Trout Lake / Kitchenuhmaykoosib)
-
Today (Thu): Periods of light snow; high -9 but falling to -17 this afternoon. Wind chills drop toward -28 later today; frostbite risk.
-
Tonight: Mainly cloudy with 60% chance of flurries and local blowing snow; low -24, wind chill near -38; frostbite risk.
-
Friday: Mix of sun and cloud; high -20 with local blowing snow in the morning; frostbite risk.
-
Saturday: Cloudy with 60% chance of snow; high -16.
Kasabonika Lake
-
Today (Thu): Periods of light snow; high -9 falling toward -17 this afternoon; frostbite risk.
-
Tonight: 60% chance of flurries with local blowing snow; low -24, wind chill near -38; frostbite risk.
-
Friday: Mix of sun and cloud; high -20; frostbite risk.
-
Saturday: Cloudy with 60% chance of snow; high -16.
Sachigo Lake
-
Today (Thu): Snow ending this morning, then cloudy with 40% chance of flurries; risk of freezing drizzle this morning. High -6 with temperatures falling to -13 this afternoon; wind chill drops toward -26.
-
Tonight: Mainly cloudy; 40% chance of flurries early; local blowing snow; low -23 with wind chill near -35; frostbite risk.
-
Friday: Mix of sun and cloud; temperature steady near -22 with wind chill near -36; frostbite risk.
-
Saturday: Cloudy with 60% chance of snow; high -16.
Wardrobe Recommendations
-
This morning (freezing drizzle zones): Wear boots with strong tread (or traction aids), and take sidewalks/steps slowly—thin ice can be hard to see.
-
Tonight into Friday (wind chill danger): Dress for frostbite risk—insulated parka, thermal base layer, snow pants, warm socks, winter boots, and mitts over gloves. Add a neck warmer / balaclava to protect cheeks and nose.
-
Travel tip: With gusty northwest winds and local blowing snow in spots, pack goggles/sunglasses and a small emergency kit if you’re on winter roads or ice routes.
Weather Trivia
Ontario’s “all-time cold record” is a bit of a weather mystery: a -58.1°C reading at Iroquois Falls on January 23, 1935has long been cited, but meteorologists have argued it may be an error based on how it compares to nearby stations that same morning. The same analysis notes other strong contenders for Ontario’s coldest temperatures, including Central Patricia (-53.9°C).
Summary:
Northern Ontario First Nations forecast for Cat Lake, Sandy Lake, Ogoki/Marten Falls, KI (Big Trout Lake), Kasabonika & Sachigo Lake—freezing drizzle advisory, snow, and dangerous wind chills.
