Stormy Weather Headed to Thunder Bay

THUNDER BAY – WEATHER – Thunder Bay has escaped winter so far. Now it appears much of the region is about to join the rest of Ontario.

Special weather statement in effect for:

• City of Thunder Bay

Becoming wet and mild for Northeastern Ontario – a wintery mix for northwest of superior.

A rapidly intensifying disturbance brewing in Kansas is setting its sights on Ontario. It will track towards Lake Michigan tonight and cross Northeastern Ontario on Monday.

Northeastern Ontario: some patchy freezing drizzle is affecting parts of the region this morning especially in Chapleau and Kapuskasing. Roads and sidewalks may be rather slippery until temperatures moderate during the day. Some roads have been reported to be rather slippery with some fog in and around St Joseph Island early this morning.

Rain, at times rather heavy, will arrive later this afternoon for the whole area and continue tonight and for much of Monday. A general rainfall of 20 to 30 mm is expected before it changes to snow Monday night. The rainfall may have some impact on snow melt for any parts of Northeastern Ontario which have considerable snow pack. Some localized minor flooding is possible in some locales.

Northwest of superior: periods of rain will settle in across most regions adjacent to Lake Superior tonight except for regions closer to Lake Nipigon which should see primarily snow. The rain will likely transition to some freezing rain a little later tonight for the Lake Superior regions then change to snow Monday morning. A significant snowfall of around 10 centimetres is likely in most of the area from Lake Superior towards Nipigon.

Travellers should give themselves extra time due to potentially icy roads tonight and accumulating snow and lower visibility on Monday.

Winter Storm Warning

Winter storm warning in effect for:

• Geraldton – Longlac – Caramat
• Manitouwadge – Hornepayne
• Nakina – Aroland – Pagwa
• Beardmore – Jellicoe – Macdiarmid
• Fraserdale – Pledger Lake

Hazardous winter conditions are expected.

A low pressure system developing over the southwestern United States will track rapidly northeastward and deepen to bring a winter storm to portions of northern Ontario. Some freezing rain is expected to develop over most areas this morning and then change to snow at times heavy early Monday. Freezing rain amounts averaging about 5 mm may be expected, followed by 15 cm of snow on Monday. Strong northerly winds on Monday will create some blowing snow. Icy roads can be expected today due to the freezing rain, with travel conditions further deteriorating by Monday in the snow and blowing snow.
Please refer to the latest public forecasts for further details.

Take extra care when walking or driving in affected areas. Poor weather conditions may contribute to transportation delays.

Winter Storm Warnings are issued when multiple types of severe winter weather are expected to occur together.

Flight Concerns

Wasaya Airlines reports, “Travel Advisory – 23 NOV 2014 – We would like to advise all our guests travelling with us today of possible delays, misconnects, and cancellations due to poor weather forecasted for Northwestern Ontario.”