Gusty winds ease as sunshine and warmer temperatures return across Northwestern Ontario

KENORA — Showers, mainly cloudy skies and gusty west winds will affect much of Northwestern Ontario on Tuesday, Aug. 4. Conditions improve Wednesday as temperatures rise, although showers could return to parts of the region by Thursday.

The forecast matters for motorists, boaters, aviation services and outdoor workers, with Tuesday’s gusts reaching 40 to 50 km/h in several communities. All forecast times are in Central Daylight Time.

Three-Day Northwestern Ontario Forecast

Kenora

Tuesday, Aug. 4: Mainly cloudy with a 40 per cent chance of showers during the morning and early afternoon. West winds will reach 30 km/h, gusting to 50 km/h. High 18 C. Tuesday night will be partly cloudy, with winds becoming light near midnight. Low 13 C.

Wednesday, Aug. 5: Sunny through the morning and early afternoon before cloud develops. There is a 40 per cent chance of late-afternoon showers and a risk of a thunderstorm. Southwest winds will reach 30 km/h, gusting to 50 km/h. High 23 C. Cloudy periods and a 30 per cent chance of overnight showers, with a low of 14 C.

Thursday, Aug. 6: Sunny with a high of 25 C. Clear Thursday night, with a low of 16 C.

Fort Frances

Tuesday, Aug. 4: Mainly cloudy with a 40 per cent chance of showers during the morning and early afternoon. West winds will increase to 20 km/h, gusting to 40 km/h. High 20 C. Clearing Tuesday evening, with a low of 9 C.

Wednesday, Aug. 5: Sunny. Southwest winds will reach 20 km/h, gusting to 40 km/h. High 24 C, with a humidex of 25. Clear overnight, with a low of 15 C.

Thursday, Aug. 6: Sunny and warmer, with a high of 26 C. Clear Thursday night, with a low of 19 C.

Dryden and Vermilion Bay

Tuesday, Aug. 4: A few morning showers will end before mainly cloudy conditions settle over the area. There remains a 40 per cent chance of showers. West winds will reach 30 km/h, gusting to 50 km/h. High 19 C. Partly cloudy overnight, with a low of 10 C.

Wednesday, Aug. 5: Sunny skies will give way to some cloud near midday. Southwest winds will reach 20 km/h, gusting to 40 km/h. High 23 C. Clear overnight, with a low of 14 C.

Thursday, Aug. 6: Sunny with a high of 25 C. Clear Thursday night, with a low of 17 C.

Red Lake

Tuesday, Aug. 4: Morning showers will end before mainly cloudy skies develop, with a continuing 40 per cent chance of showers. West winds will reach 30 km/h, gusting to 50 km/h. High 18 C. Partly cloudy Tuesday night, with a low of 10 C.

Wednesday, Aug. 5: Sunny during the morning before a mix of sun and cloud develops during the afternoon. Southwest winds will increase to 30 km/h, gusting to 50 km/h. High 23 C. Cloudy periods and a 30 per cent chance of overnight showers, with a low of 14 C.

Thursday, Aug. 6: A mix of sun and cloud with a 40 per cent chance of showers. High 24 C. Cloudy periods and a 30 per cent chance of showers Thursday night, with a low of 15 C.

Sioux Lookout

Tuesday, Aug. 4: Morning showers will end before mainly cloudy skies develop. There remains a 40 per cent chance of showers. West winds will reach 30 km/h, gusting to 50 km/h. High 19 C. Skies will clear late Tuesday evening, with a low of 10 C.

Wednesday, Aug. 5: Sunny before cloud increases early in the afternoon. Southwest winds will reach 20 km/h, gusting to 40 km/h. High 23 C. Clear overnight, with a low of 15 C.

Thursday, Aug. 6: A mix of sun and cloud with a 40 per cent chance of showers. High 25 C. Cloudy periods and a 30 per cent chance of overnight showers, with a low of 17 C.

Travel and Outdoor Impacts

Tuesday’s gusty winds could affect vehicles towing trailers, high-profile transport trucks and small aircraft operating from regional airports. Crosswinds may be particularly noticeable on exposed sections of highways 17, 71, 72 and 105.

Boaters on Lake of the Woods, Rainy Lake, Wabigoon Lake, Lac Seul and smaller inland waters should be prepared for rapidly changing wave conditions. Thunderstorms remain possible near Kenora late Wednesday, while showers may return to the Red Lake and Sioux Lookout areas Thursday.

The UV index will reach the high range in several communities Wednesday. Residents working or travelling outdoors should use sun protection and carry drinking water.