THUNDER BAY – WEATHER – Winter is gripping on Northern Ontario today.
A winter storm warning is in effect for many of the far north regions of Ontario.
Winter storm warning in effect for:
- Sachigo Lake
- Big Trout Lake – Kasabonika
- Fort Hope – Webequie
- Fort Severn – Washaho Cree Nation
Hazardous winter conditions are expected.
A slow-moving low pressure system centred over Far-Northeastern Ontario is expected to stall and linger well into mid-week. Significant snow will continue today, some of which will fall heavily at times. The snow may ease off a little tonight in many areas but reintensify again on Wednesday. The snow will be combined with appreciable cold gusty winds creating low visibilities in blowing snow in some areas.
Total snowfall amounts will likely exceed 25 cm in some areas by late today with additional amounts up to 15 to locally 20 cm tonight and Wednesday. As of 11 am, Pickle Lake has reported 37 cm since Sunday evening. Storm totals may exceed 40 cm in some regions by the time it winds down Thursday.
Consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve. Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become difficult to navigate due to accumulating snow.
Weather conditions are impacting flights to Northern Communities. Wasaya Airways report, “It is not quite spring yet. The unfavourable weather conditions that have affected Northwestern Ontario have had a significant impact on flights for Wasaya Airways the past several days. Freezing rain and snow coupled with low ceilings have led to poor visibility at all of our Northern airports. Hazardous conditions are expected to linger well into mid-week across Northwestern Ontario. The snow will be combined with substantial cold gusty winds creating low visibilities and blowing snow in some areas. Some communities in Northwestern Ontario are reporting blizzard conditions and expect up to 40-50 cm of snow. Wasaya is aware of the inconvenience this causes our guests and freight customers.
Once conditions improve and it is safe and practical, Wasaya Airways will be adding extra aircraft to fly guests and cargo on scheduled and extra flights in the coming days to ensure our guests make it to their final destination. In addition, Wasaya will be working diligently to ensure any delayed baggage and cargo get where they need to be as quickly as possible. We are planning to have all the guests, bags and cargo delivered to their intended destinations by the end of this week, if the current weather forecast holds true.
We would like to thank our guests for their continued patience and support over the past few days. The safety of guests travelling with us remains our number one priority. As a result we will not fly when the weather is below minimums set by Transport Canada nor will we attempt to land at an airport with unsafe runway conditions. We apologize for the inconvenience brought on by Mother Nature and we sincerely regret that so many of our guests were affected.
Guests can contact our Customer Care Centre for updates at 1-877-492-7292.
