Winter Storm Update in Thunder Bay

THUNDER BAY – The winter weather advisory is continues for Thunder Bay. At 12:14PM EST Environment Canada has updated the weather statement.

Special weather statement in effect for:

• City of Thunder Bay
• Kenora – Nestor Falls
• Dryden – Ignace
• Fort Frances – Rainy Lake
• Atikokan – Upsala – Quetico
• Superior West
• Red Lake – Ear Falls
• Sioux Lookout – Savant Lake
• Lake Nipigon – Wabakimi
• Geraldton – Manitouwadge – Hornepayne
• Nipigon – Marathon – Superior North
• Wawa – White River – Pukaskwa
• Sault Ste. Marie – Superior East
• Kapuskasing – Hearst
• Timmins – Cochrane
• Greater Sudbury and Vicinity
• Chapleau – Gogama
• Kirkland Lake – New Liskeard – Temagami
• Elliot Lake – Ranger Lake
• Manitoulin – blind river – Killarney
• North Bay – West Nipissing.

A low pressure system from Alberta is currently over the Dakotas and will track across Northern Ontario today. A southerly flow ahead of this system will bring a surge of milder air to the region resulting in a wintery mix of precipitation for Northern Ontario.

For areas north of the Minnesota border from the Lake of the Woods to Thunder Bay and Superior North: periods of snow will be mixed with ice pellets with some brief freezing rain likely. The snow has changed to freezing rain in Thunder Bay but is expected to be intermittent before changing back to ice pellets and snow this afternoon. Some glazing of roads and untreated surfaces may be expected this afternoon making conditions rather slippery. North of superior will experience more snow, due to the moist flow off the lake giving higher amounts of 10 to locally 15 cm today.

For the swath of Northern Ontario extending from the Manitoba border near Kenora and Red Lake to the Quebec border near Little Abitibi: periods of snow continue with general snowfall amounts expected to be in the 5 to 10 cm range. For areas well north of superior, including Armstrong and Nakina, there is some indication that snowfall amounts could be higher, with storm totals approaching 15 cm. A snowfall warning has been issued for Kapuskasing – Hearst and Little Abitibi – Kesagami Lake where near 15 cm of snow is expected within 12 hours this afternoon and evening.

For Northeastern Ontario: intermittent light snow will continue today with snowfall amounts of up to 5 cm possible before temperatures rise above the freezing mark. Snow could become mixed with ice pellets or freezing rain before ending or changing to light rain. On Sunday, patchy light rain or drizzle is forecast to change to flurries as a cold front passes and temperatures drop below zero. If surfaces are wet as the freezing occurs, very icy conditions may develop.

Poor winter travelling conditions are expected across Northern Ontario. Motorists are urged to exercise caution as untreated surfaces may become snow covered and/or slippery.

Environment Canada meteorologists are watching the evolution of this system closely and will issue further statements or alerts as required.

Duluth Outlook

With the American Thanksgiving weekend, many people have headed southward to Duluth. There the forecast is calling for a 30 percent chance of light freezing rain and sleet…mainly after midnight. Lows 13 to 18. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph.

Saturday: Mostly cloudy. A slight chance of light freezing rain in the morning. Highs 32 to 37. South winds 5 to 10 mph becoming west late in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.