THUNDER BAY – WEATHER – As the fall season deepens across Canada, weather conditions are cooling rapidly, bringing a mixture of rain, frost, and even snow to some areas.
From the eastern shores of Newfoundland to the remote regions of Nunavut, this comprehensive report highlights weather alerts, current conditions, and forecasts for the next three days.
Here’s what to expect across the country, including wardrobe suggestions and interesting historical weather trivia for each region.
Atlantic Canada
In St. John’s, Newfoundland, October 8 starts with cloudy skies and steady rain. The temperature is sitting at 12°C, with strong southeast winds blowing at 30 km/h. Barometric pressure reads 1007 hPa, indicating low-pressure systems that will dominate the weather over the next few days.
The rain will persist through October 9, with gusts reaching 50 km/h. On October 10, rain will taper off, but windy conditions will keep the high temperature at 10°C. Residents should be prepared with rainproof clothing and sturdy boots.
St. John’s holds a weather record for its wettest October in 2005, when 300 mm of rain fell.
In Saint John, New Brunswick, rain and gusty winds set the tone for October 8. Temperatures are currently at 9°C, with southeast winds at 20 km/h.
Barometric pressure is 1011 hPa. Rain will continue through October 9, with gusts strengthening to 40 km/h before clearing on October 10, when temperatures will drop to 7°C in the day and 4°C at night. Saint John experienced its earliest October snowfall in 1961, but no snow is expected this week.
A good raincoat and waterproof shoes will be necessary.
Halifax, Nova Scotia, is also seeing rain, with temperatures around 13°C and barometric pressure at 1013 hPa. Winds are moderate at 25 km/h from the southwest. Rain will persist until October 9, when winds will gust up to 45 km/h, keeping temperatures between 10°C and 14°C.
The skies will clear by October 10, bringing cooler, sunnier conditions. Halifax holds a historical record of 27°C on October 7, 1954, but this week’s forecast calls for much cooler weather. A rain jacket and umbrella will be essential.
Quebec
In Quebec City, temperatures are currently at 9°C with overcast skies. The barometric pressure is at 1017 hPa, indicating relatively stable weather but light rain through October 8 and 9. Temperatures will range from 8°C to 10°C during the day, with lows around 4°C at night. October 10 will bring clearer skies and cooler mornings, with potential for frost. Quebec City often sees its first snowfall in late October, but cold rain will dominate this week. Warm layers and waterproof outerwear are recommended.
Montreal is seeing similar weather with cloudy skies and temperatures around 11°C. The barometric pressure is 1015 hPa. Rain is forecast for October 8 and 9, with daytime highs of 12°C and overnight lows of 6°C. By October 10, the skies will clear, and temperatures will drop to a cool 9°C during the day. Montreal’s coldest recorded October temperature was -7°C in 1959, but this week will remain wet and cool. Layered clothing and a waterproof jacket will be necessary.
Ontario
Toronto is currently overcast with a temperature of 6°C. Winds from the northwest at 15 km/h are keeping the air cool, and the barometric pressure is 1016 hPa. Rain showers are forecast for October 8 and 9, with highs around 14°C and lows dropping to 6°C at night.
By October 10, clearer skies will emerge, but temperatures will stay cool at around 10°C during the day. Toronto’s historical warmest October day was 29°C on October 8, 1951, but this week will be much chillier. Rain gear and layers will be essential.
Greater Sudbury is experiencing cloudy skies and light rain, with the current temperature at 7°C and barometric pressure at 1018 hPa. Winds from the northwest at 15 km/h will continue through October 8 and 9.
Daytime highs will stay around 8°C, with overnight lows dropping to 2°C, resulting in frost by October 10. The weather will clear by midweek, but the cold air will remain.
Sudbury recorded its first snowfall of October on October 4, 1965, but frost, not snow, is expected this week. Warm coats and gloves will be needed for frosty mornings.
Sault Ste. Marie is under cloudy skies with light rain and a current temperature of 8°C. Winds are blowing from the northwest at 20 km/h, and barometric pressure is at 1016 hPa.
Rain will continue through October 9, with temperatures dropping to 1°C overnight, leading to frost. October 10 will bring clearer skies, but the air will stay chilly, with highs of 6°C and overnight lows near freezing.
Sault Ste. Marie’s coldest October day was recorded on October 5, 1980, when temperatures reached -7°C, so be prepared for cold mornings. Heavier jackets and gloves will be essential.
Thunder Bay is seeing partly cloudy skies with a temperature of 0°C and barometric pressure at 1019 hPa. There’s a chance of light rain on October 8 and 9, but skies will clear by October 10.
Temperatures will remain between 16°C and 17°C during the day, with overnight lows dipping to -1°C, making for frosty mornings.
Thunder Bay experienced its earliest snowfall on October 8, 1978, with 12 cm, but frost rather than snow is expected this week. Layered clothing and a heavier coat will be necessary for chilly nights.
Manitoba and Saskatchewan
In Winnipeg, light snow has begun, with the current temperature hovering at 1°C. Winds from the northwest are gusting at 25 km/h, and barometric pressure is 1012 hPa. Snow will continue through October 9, with accumulations of 2 to 3 cm.
Daytime highs will reach only 3°C, with overnight lows dipping to -4°C. By October 10, skies will clear, but the cold will persist.
Winnipeg recorded its earliest snow on October 7, 1951, and this week, it will once again experience early winter conditions. Winter coats, hats, and gloves will be necessary.
Churchill, Manitoba, is facing heavy snow and freezing conditions, with the current temperature at -5°C. Winds are blowing from the north at 40 km/h, and the barometric pressure is at 1007 hPa. Snow will continue through October 8 and 9, with up to 10 cm expected.
Daytime highs will remain below freezing at -4°C, with nighttime lows dropping to -10°C.
Churchill holds the record for the coldest October day in Manitoba at -25°C, and while it won’t reach those extremes this week, winter gear is essential.
In Regina, Saskatchewan, the skies are clear, with the temperature at 5°C and winds from the west at 10 km/h. Barometric pressure is at 1018 hPa.
Sunny weather will continue through October 9, with highs of 9°C and overnight lows dropping to -2°C, bringing frost. Regina recorded its earliest snowfall on October 6, 1981, but snow is not expected this week. Warm layers and a heavier jacket will be required, especially for the chilly mornings.
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, is also experiencing sunny weather, with temperatures currently at 5°C. Winds are calm, and the barometric pressure is at 1020 hPa. Clear skies will persist through October 9, with daytime highs of 10°C and overnight lows of -3°C, leading to frost.
By October 10, cloud cover will increase slightly, but temperatures will remain stable. Saskatoon experienced one of its coldest October days on October 10, 1936, at -16°C, but this week will remain moderate. Warm layers and gloves are recommended for the cold mornings.
Alberta
In Edmonton, the skies are clear, with temperatures at 7°C and light winds from the west at 15 km/h. Barometric pressure is 1021 hPa, indicating stable weather for the next few days.
October 8 and 9 will remain sunny, with daytime highs around 11°C and overnight lows dipping to 0°C, leading to frost. Edmonton recorded one of its earliest snowfalls on October 3, 1945, but this week will remain snow-free. Layered clothing and a heavier jacket will be needed for frosty mornings.
Fort McMurray is also clear, with the temperature around 6°C and light northwest winds at 10 km/h. Barometric pressure is at 1020 hPa.
The forecast calls for sunny skies through October 8 and 9, with daytime highs of 10°C and overnight lows around -2°C, leading to frost. Fort McMurray’s earliest snowfall was on October 6, 1982, but the coming days will remain dry. Warm layers and a heavier coat are recommended for cold mornings.
Calgary is currently sunny, with temperatures at 10°C and light winds from the northwest. Barometric pressure is at 1017 hPa.
October 8 and 9 will see continued sunshine, with daytime highs reaching 12°C. However, overnight lows will drop to 1°C, bringing frost by October 10.
Calgary’s warmest October day was October 7, 1975, at 25°C, but this week will be cooler. Light layers for the day and heavier coats for the mornings and evenings will be ideal.
British Columbia
In Kamloops, British Columbia, it’s currently 12°C with light winds from the north. Barometric pressure is 1020 hPa, signaling clear skies for the next few days.
October 8, 9, and 10 will remain sunny, with daytime highs around 14°C and nighttime lows of 4°C. Kamloops recorded its warmest October day on October 5, 1963, at 29°C, but this week will feel much cooler. Light layers and a jacket will be needed for cooler evenings.
Prince George is partly cloudy, with a current temperature of 10°C. Winds are calm, and the barometric pressure is at 1022 hPa.
The forecast calls for clear skies through October 9, with daytime highs reaching 11°C and nighttime lows near 1°C, bringing frost. Prince George’s earliest October snowfall was recorded on October 7, 1982, but snow is not expected this week. Warm layers will be necessary for the chilly mornings.
In Vancouver, the skies are cloudy, with temperatures around 14°C and light winds from the southwest. Barometric pressure is 1015 hPa, and rain is expected on October 8, clearing by October 9.
Temperatures will remain mild, with highs of 15°C and lows around 8°C. Vancouver’s highest October rainfall was recorded in 1967, but this week’s rain will be light. A raincoat will be necessary, especially for October 8.
Victoria is also cloudy, with a current temperature of 13°C and light winds. Barometric pressure is 1016 hPa.
Rain is expected on October 8, but October 9 and 10 will bring clearer skies, with highs around 14°C. Victoria experienced its warmest October day on October 6, 1951, with temperatures reaching 25°C, but this week will be cooler. A raincoat is recommended for the rainy start to the week.
Northern Canada
In Dawson City, Yukon, temperatures are at -3°C with light winds from the north. Barometric pressure is 1023 hPa, indicating clear and cold weather.
October 8 and 9 will bring sunny skies, with daytime highs just above freezing at 1°C and overnight lows dropping to -6°C. Dawson City’s coldest October temperature was recorded at -24°C, but this week will remain cold yet manageable. Winter coats, gloves, and scarves will be needed.
In Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, snow is falling lightly, with a temperature of -4°C and winds from the north at 20 km/h. Barometric pressure is 1010 hPa. Snow will continue through October 8 and 9, with highs of -3°C and lows of -10°C at night. Yellowknife recorded its coldest October day on October 15, 1975, when the temperature fell to -22°C. Full winter gear is recommended for the cold and snowy conditions.
Alert, Nunavut, is currently experiencing heavy snow, with temperatures at -9°C and strong northeast winds at 35 km/h. Barometric pressure is at 1008 hPa, signaling continued snowfall through October 9. Temperatures will range from -8°C to -12°C, making it essential to wear full arctic winter gear in this remote northern region.
Summary
As fall continues across Canada, rain, wind, frost, and snow will impact different regions. Eastern Canada will experience wet conditions, while Northern Ontario and the Prairies will deal with frost and early signs of winter. Northern and Western Canada will see cooler temperatures, with widespread frost and snow in some areas.
Wardrobe Suggestions: Residents in coastal areas should prepare for rain and wind with waterproof gear and layers. Those in Northern Canada and the Prairies should bundle up with winter coats, gloves, and scarves as frost and snow make their presence felt.
