THUNDER BAY – WEATHER – Christmas Day in Thunder Bay and across much of Northwestern Ontario will see a calm start to the day, followed by snow and ice pellets or freezing rain.
In the City of Thunder Bay, residents have been asked to keep cars off of the streets later today, as the snow starts which will assist city crews in clearing snow.
Across the region, Environment Canada is suggesting that people monitor the weather carefully and make sure to only make essential travel once the forecasted storm has started.
Air travel, especially to northern communities from Thunder Bay, Sioux Lookout, Dryden, and Pickle Lake is likely to be impacted.
Winter storm warning in effect for:
- City of Thunder Bay
- Pikangikum – Poplar Hill – MacDowell
- Ear Falls – Perrault Falls – Western Lac Seul
- Red Lake – Woodland Caribou Park
- Kenora – Grassy Narrows – Whitedog
- Sioux Narrows – Nestor Falls – Morson
- Fort Frances – Emo – Rainy River
- Vermillion Day – Dryden – Ignace
- Sioux Lookout – Pickle Lake – Cat Lake – Mishkeegogamang
- Upsala – Raith – English River
- Nipigon – Red Rock
Hazardous winter conditions are expected.
A winter storm will affect the regions from this evening until midday Monday.
A band of heavy snow will move into the regions this evening. The snow will likely mix with ice pellets or freezing rain before changing to freezing drizzle or flurries Monday morning.
Snow and ice pellet accumulations in the 10 to 25 cm range are expected with the heaviest snow falling near midnight.
Hazardous travel conditions will develop this evening in heavy snowfall and blowing snow. Wind gusts to 75 kilometres per hour are possible beginning this afternoon. Some improvement is expected Monday afternoon as the precipitation will become much lighter, and the blowing snow will have ended.
The storm is due to a Colorado low tracking northeastward and expected to cross northern Ontario on a Fort Frances to Moosonee path Monday.
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. Rapidly accumulating snow could make travel difficult over some locations. If visibility is reduced while driving, turn on your lights and maintain a safe following distance.
