Yellow Cold Warning in Effect as Wind Chills Push Near -45

THUNDER BAY – WEATHER – A deep Arctic air mass is driving dangerous cold across the Far North today, and Environment Canada has a Yellow Warning – Cold in effect for multiple communities from the Sandy Lake area through the western James Bay coast. Wind chills near -45 are expected this morning through Monday morning, with a risk that similar values could return Monday night into Tuesday morning in some areas.

Frostbite can develop quickly on exposed skin—this is a “cover up completely and limit time outside” stretch of weather.

What the Yellow Cold Warning Means

Environment Canada’s moderate-impact, high-confidence cold warning highlights wind chills near -45, with the cold most widespread tonight into Monday morning. If you must be outdoors, dress in layers with a wind-resistant outer shell, cover hands and face, and watch for numbness or colour change in fingers and toes. Keep pets indoors and make sure vehicles are winter-ready with emergency supplies.

Three-Day Outlook by Community

Big Trout Lake (KI) / Kasabonika Area

Big Trout Lake stays brutally cold today with cloud early, then clearing this afternoon. Northwest winds gusting to 50 km/h will keep the wind chill near -42. Tonight turns clear and even colder, with wind chills near -46. Monday stays sunny but remains dangerous for frostbite, and Tuesday begins a slow easing with a chance of flurries.
Sun: Mainly cloudy, clearing early afternoon; steady near -27, wind chill ~ -42
Tonight: Clear; low -36, wind chill ~ -46
Mon: Sunny; high -23 (wind chill -46 morning / -33 afternoon)
Tue: Cloudy, 40% flurries; high -14

Sandy Lake

Sandy Lake is in the core of the cold warning zone, with temperatures holding near -28 today and wind chills near -42. Clear skies tonight will allow temperatures to crash further. Monday stays frigid, then light snow may arrive late Monday, with slightly “less extreme” cold by Tuesday.
Sun: Mainly cloudy, clearing near noon; steady near -28, wind chill ~ -42
Tonight: Clear; low -35, wind chill ~ -44
Mon: Sunny AM, then increasing cloud/light snow late; high -18 (wind chill -41 morning)
Tue: Cloudy, 60% flurries; high -12

Fort Severn

Fort Severn remains in the danger zone for extreme wind chills. Today clears near noon, but wind chills are expected near -44. The overnight low plunges to -38, with wind chills down near -49. Monday stays sunny but still hazardous.
Sun: Mainly cloudy, clearing near noon; high -27, wind chill ~ -44
Tonight: Clear; low -38, wind chill down to -49
Mon: Sunny; high -27 (wind chill -49 morning)
Tue: Sunny; high -22

Neskantaga (Lansdowne House)

Neskantaga’s forecast calls for blowing cold and a falling temperature through the day, with wind chills in the -30s by afternoon. Tonight clears and drops hard to -34, and Monday remains dangerously cold despite sunshine.
Sun: Mainly cloudy, 40% flurries; temperature falling to -20, wind chill -33
Tonight: Clearing late; low -34, wind chill down to -43
Mon: Sunny; high -24 (wind chill -44 morning)
Tue: Cloudy, 60% flurries; high -16

Ogoki Post (Ogoki)

Ogoki Post is under the same cold-warning pattern as the Fort Hope–Lansdowne House corridor: strong north winds, falling temperatures today, and a very cold, clear night. Monday is sunny but still severe for wind chill and frostbite risk.
Sun: Mainly cloudy, 40% flurries; temperature falling to -20, wind chill -33
Tonight: Clearing; low -34, wind chill to -43
Mon: Sunny; high -24 (wind chill -44 morning)
Tue: Cloudy, 60% flurries; high -16

Attawapiskat

Attawapiskat remains dangerously cold with wind chills near -30 today and a plunge to -33 tonight. Monday brings sun but no relief from frostbite risk, with morning wind chills in the -40s.
Sun: Mainly cloudy, 40% flurries; high -15, wind chill ~ -30
Tonight: Clearing; low -33, wind chill down to -46
Mon: Sunny; high -25 (wind chill -47 morning)
Tue: Sunny; high -22

Sachigo Lake

Sachigo Lake is among the coldest spots in this roundup. Clearing today still leaves temperatures steady near -28, with frostbite in minutes possible. Tonight drops to -36, then Monday stays bitterly cold even under sun.
Sun: Clearing late morning; steady near -28, wind chill ~ -41
Tonight: Clear; low -36, wind chill down to -46
Mon: Sunny; high -21 (wind chill -46 morning)
Tue: Cloudy, 40% flurries; high -14

Wardrobe and Safety Notes

This cold warning is the kind that demands full coverage: insulated boots, thick mitts, warm hat, and a face covering (balaclava/neck gaiter). If you’re travelling between communities, pack extra layers, blankets, and ensure your vehicle has winter windshield washer fluid—cold, blowing snow, and road spray can kill visibility fast.

Weather Trivia

Wind chill doesn’t change the thermometer reading, but it does increase how fast your body loses heat. That’s why a “not that windy” day can still bring frostbite risk when the air is this cold—especially overnight and early morning.

Summary

Far North Ontario weather forecast (Feb 22, 2026) for Big Trout Lake (KI), Sandy Lake, Fort Severn, Neskantaga, Ogoki Post, Attawapiskat and Sachigo Lake: Yellow Cold Warning in effect with wind chills near -45, frostbite risk, and a three-day outlook showing extreme lows and limited improvement.