Thunder Bay – Weather – As October settles in across Northern Ontario, the region is experiencing the onset of early winter-like conditions. Temperatures are dropping quickly, with snow showers becoming a more frequent occurrence.
Communities across region should prepare for cold days and even colder nights, as well as gusty winds and occasional snowfall.
Here is your forecast for the next three days, October 17, 18, and 19, 2024, for each of the First Nations communities in the northern region, including wardrobe recommendations and historical weather trivia.
Marten Falls
Current Conditions: 1°C, overcast skies. Winds from the northwest at 15 km/h. Barometric pressure: 1024 mb, steady.
Forecast: The 17th will see light snow showers developing in the afternoon with a high of 3°C. Snow will continue overnight into the 18th, accumulating a few centimeters with a high of 1°C. By the 19th, expect cloudy skies and occasional flurries, with temperatures remaining steady around 0°C.
Wardrobe: Winter coats, hats, and gloves are essential for the cold and wet conditions.
Historical Trivia: Marten Falls is located along the Albany River, a region known for its early winter onset and long periods of subzero temperatures starting as early as mid-October.
Sunrise: 7:58 AM | Sunset: 6:44 PM
Wasaho Cree Nation (Fort Severn)
Current Conditions: -1°C, partly cloudy with light winds from the north at 10 km/h. Barometric pressure: 1027 mb, rising.
Forecast: Fort Severn will experience snow starting in the afternoon on the 17th, with temperatures hovering around 0°C. The snow will continue through the 18th, with winds picking up to 25 km/h and temperatures dropping to -3°C. On the 19th, expect light flurries throughout the day and temperatures steady at -4°C.
Wardrobe: Full winter clothing, including parkas, snow boots, and mittens, will be needed as the snow piles up and temperatures stay below freezing.
Historical Trivia: Fort Severn, being the northernmost community in Ontario, experiences some of the coldest October temperatures in the province. Snow typically arrives in early to mid-October and stays for the winter.
Sunrise: 8:34 AM | Sunset: 6:55 PM
Fort Hope (Eabametoong)
Current Conditions: 2°C, overcast skies with light winds from the northwest at 15 km/h. Barometric pressure: 1026 mb, steady.
Forecast: Light snow is expected by the afternoon of the 17th, with a high of 3°C. Snow will continue through the night and into the 18th, with accumulation expected to reach 5 cm by morning. The 19th will see cloudy skies with flurries, and temperatures remaining near 0°C.
Wardrobe: Heavy winter jackets and snow boots are recommended for handling the snowfall and cold.
Historical Trivia: Fort Hope has a long history of early snowfalls in October, with some years seeing more than 30 cm of snow by the end of the month.
Sunrise: 8:05 AM | Sunset: 6:51 PM
Sachigo Lake
Current Conditions: -1°C, mostly cloudy. Winds from the northeast at 10 km/h. Barometric pressure: 1025 mb, steady.
Forecast: Expect snow showers on the afternoon of the 17th, with highs of 1°C. Snow will continue into the 18th, with up to 7 cm of accumulation and winds picking up to 20 km/h. The 19th will bring continued flurries and a high of -2°C.
Wardrobe: Winter gear, including insulated jackets, hats, and gloves, will be needed as snow and wind make conditions colder.
Historical Trivia: Sachigo Lake is located in a region that often sees snow by mid-October, and the lake effect from nearby water bodies can increase snowfall amounts.
Sunrise: 8:12 AM | Sunset: 6:55 PM
KI (Big Trout Lake)
Current Conditions: -2°C, overcast skies. Winds from the northeast at 15 km/h. Barometric pressure: 1028 mb, rising.
Forecast: Snow will start on the afternoon of the 17th, with temperatures peaking at 0°C. The 18th will bring heavier snow, with up to 10 cm expected and winds increasing to 30 km/h. By the 19th, light flurries will continue with highs around -3°C.
Wardrobe: Full winter attire, including warm coats, snow boots, and gloves, will be necessary with significant snow accumulation.
Historical Trivia: KI First Nation regularly sees snow by mid-October, often leading to full winter conditions before the end of the month.
Sunrise: 8:20 AM | Sunset: 6:58 PM
Sandy Lake
Current Conditions: -1°C, mostly cloudy with calm winds. Barometric pressure: 1026 mb, steady.
Forecast: Snow will begin on the evening of the 17th, with 3-5 cm expected by the 18th. Winds will increase slightly to 20 km/h, and temperatures will remain around 1°C. The 19th will bring continued flurries and a high of -2°C.
Wardrobe: Winter jackets and waterproof boots are necessary, especially as snow and slush accumulate.
Historical Trivia: Sandy Lake often sees early October snow, with cold winds coming from the north and contributing to winter’s early arrival.
Sunrise: 8:16 AM | Sunset: 6:53 PM
Pikangikum
Current Conditions: 0°C, overcast with light winds from the northwest at 10 km/h. Barometric pressure: 1025 mb, rising.
Forecast: The 17th will bring light snow showers in the afternoon, with a high of 2°C. On the 18th, expect heavier snow, with up to 6 cm accumulation and temperatures around 1°C. The 19th will be mostly cloudy with intermittent flurries, and temperatures will drop to -3°C.
Wardrobe: Waterproof winter gear, including gloves and insulated jackets, will be necessary for the snow and colder temperatures.
Historical Trivia: Pikangikum is located near the Berens River and is known for its early onset of snow, which typically begins accumulating by mid-October.
Sunrise: 8:08 AM | Sunset: 6:51 PM
Cat Lake
Current Conditions: 1°C, cloudy skies with calm winds. Barometric pressure: 1026 mb, steady.
Forecast: Snow will begin by the evening of the 17th, with about 4 cm expected by morning. The 18th will see more snow, bringing total accumulation to around 8 cm, with a high of 1°C. The 19th will be mostly cloudy with light flurries, with highs staying near -1°C.
Wardrobe: Warm winter clothing and snow boots will be needed, particularly for the heavy snow expected on the 18th.
Historical Trivia: Cat Lake is known for its long winters, with October often bringing the first significant snowfalls that mark the transition into winter.
Sunrise: 8:10 AM | Sunset: 6:52 PM
Kasabonika Lake
Current Conditions: -2°C, overcast. Winds from the northeast at 15 km/h. Barometric pressure: 1027 mb, steady.
Forecast: Light snow will begin on the 17th, with temperatures rising to 0°C. The 18th will bring steady snow throughout the day, accumulating up to 10 cm. Winds will increase to 25 km/h. Snow will continue lightly on the 19th, with temperatures hovering around -2°C.
Wardrobe: Full winter attire, including heavy jackets and waterproof boots, will be needed to manage the cold and snow.
Historical Trivia: Kasabonika Lake often experiences winter-like conditions by mid-October, with heavy snowfall blanketing the region well before November.
Sunrise: 8:15 AM | Sunset: 6:56 PM
Neskantaga (Lansdowne House)
Current Conditions: 0°C, cloudy with calm winds. Barometric pressure: 1026 mb, steady.
Forecast: The 17th will bring snow showers in the afternoon, with a high of 2°C. Snow will continue into the 18th, with up to 6 cm expected and temperatures around 1°C. The 19th will bring more flurries, with temperatures dropping to -2°C.
Wardrobe: Warm jackets, hats, and gloves are essential, with snow accumulation making winter boots a must.
Historical Trivia: Neskantaga frequently sees snow by October, with early winter conditions often making travel difficult by the middle of the month.
Sunrise: 8:13 AM | Sunset: 6:54 PM
Summer Beaver (Nibinamik)
Current Conditions: 0°C, cloudy skies with light winds. Barometric pressure: 1027 mb, rising.
Forecast: Snow will begin on the 17th, with light accumulation throughout the day and a high of 1°C. The 18th will bring more significant snow, with up to 7 cm expected. The 19th will be overcast with intermittent flurries and a high of -1°C.
Wardrobe: Winter jackets, snow boots, and gloves will be needed for the snowy, cold conditions.
Historical Trivia: Summer Beaver typically sees its first lasting snowfall in mid-October, with the snow staying through the winter months.
Sunrise: 8:18 AM | Sunset: 6:57 PM
Peawanuck
Current Conditions: -2°C, partly cloudy. Winds from the north at 15 km/h. Barometric pressure: 1028 mb, steady.
Forecast: Snow will begin by the afternoon of the 17th, with a high of 0°C. Snow will continue into the 18th, with up to 6 cm expected and winds increasing to 20 km/h. The 19th will be cloudy with light flurries, with highs around -4°C.
Wardrobe: Heavy winter coats and gloves are necessary as snow and cold temperatures set in.
Historical Trivia: Peawanuck, located near the Hudson Bay coast, typically sees its first significant snowfall in mid-October, with the cold northern winds accelerating winter’s arrival.
Sunrise: 8:26 AM | Sunset: 6:47 PM
Attawapiskat
Current Conditions: -1°C, overcast skies with light winds. Barometric pressure: 1027 mb, steady.
Forecast: Light snow will begin by the evening of the 17th, continuing through the 18th with total accumulation reaching 5 cm. The 19th will be overcast with more flurries and a high of -2°C.
Wardrobe: Warm, insulated clothing and boots are essential for managing the snowy and cold conditions.
Historical Trivia: Attawapiskat often experiences snow by mid-October, marking the beginning of long, cold winters along the James Bay coast.
Sunrise: 8:29 AM | Sunset: 6:52 PM
