THUNDER BAY – WEATHER – Extreme cold continues to grip Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario. An Arctic air mass has settled over the region and has the mercury in the thermometers almost all down in the bottom bowl. The temperature in Thunder Bay this morning is -35c with the windchill making it feel like -40 to -45.
The Coldspot in Ontario this morning at -42.7 °C or -44.9 °F is Armstrong.
The Extreme Cold Warning should end tonight as there will be slight warming. Environment Canada says the low minus 30°C. Wind chill minus 31°C in the evening and minus 36°C overnight. Extreme Cold Warnings are issued when the temperature is forecast to be -40°C or colder.
There is a sign the Arctic cold is waning. In Fort Severn today the weather service is calling for a high of -23°C. Skies will be mainly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of flurries this morning. Wind southwest 20 km/h gusting to 40. The wind chill minus 45°C in the morning and minus 34°C in the afternoon. This is a far cry from the -50°C to -60°C wind chill values of the past few days.
If you are headed out to Toronto – The forecast is calling for cold temperatures and snow. Environment Canada says snow will end early this morning then clearing. There will be local blowing snow early this morning. Winds north 30 km/h gusting to 60. High minus 16. Wind chill near minus 32. Risk of frostbite. UV index 2 or low.
For tonight in Toronto expect a few clouds. Wind northwest 40 km/h gusting to 60. Low minus 24. Wind chill minus 32 in the evening and minus 38 overnight.
Extreme Cold Warning in effect for:
- Pickle Lake – Cat Lake
- Savant Lake – Sturgeon Lake
- Sioux Lookout – Eastern Lac Seul
- Summer Beaver – Wunnummin Lake – Kingfisher Lake
- Kenora
- Dryden – Vermilion Bay
- Fort Frances
- Nigigoonsiminikaaning First Nation
- Seine River First Nation
- Ignace
- Attawapiskat
- Fort Severn
- Peawanuck
- Webequie
- Landsdowne House
- Kasabonika First Nation
- Summer Beaver
- Marten Falls – Ogoki
- Aroland
- Nipigon – Marathon – Red Rock First Nation
A prolonged period of very cold wind chills is expected. Wind chill values of minus 40 to minus 45 are occurring over much of Northern Ontario.
This bitterly cold Arctic airmass will remain in place through the rest of the weekend.
Conditions will begin to slowly moderate through Monday.
Risks are greater for young children, older adults, people with chronic illnesses, people working or exercising outdoors, and those without proper shelter.
Dress warmly. Dress in layers that you can remove if you get too warm. The outer layer should be wind resistant.
Cover up. Frostbite can develop within minutes on exposed skin, especially with wind chill.
