THUNDER BAY – WEATHER – Northern Ontario’s First Nation communities are bracing for a significant weather event. An Alberta Clipper is forecasted to impact parts of the region from December 3 to December 5, 2024, bringing substantial snowfall and frigid temperatures.
Here’s a comprehensive outlook for the affected areas:
Marten Falls (Ogoki Post)
Current Conditions: Cloudy with light snow, temperature at -4°C. Barometric pressure is 1012 hPa and falling, indicating an approaching system. Winds are from the northwest at 15 km/h. Sunrise at 8:24 AM; sunset at 4:24 PM.
Forecast:
- December 3: Cloudy with light snow in the afternoon, accumulating up to 1 cm. High of -2°C, low of -4°C.
- December 4: Cloudy with a couple of snow showers, totaling 1–2 cm. High of -2°C, low of -10°C.
- December 5: Morning snow, adding up to 1 cm; otherwise, cloudy and colder. High of -8°C, low of -18°C.
Wasaho Cree Nation (Fort Severn)
Current Conditions: Cloudy, temperature at -1°C. Barometric pressure is 1018 hPa and steady. Winds are from the northeast at 20 km/h. Sunrise at 8:23 AM; sunset at 4:15 PM.
Forecast:
- December 3: Sunny and cold, high of -14°C, low of -18°C.
- December 4: Cloudy with light snow in the morning, little to no accumulation. High of -5°C, low of -18°C.
- December 5: Windy and colder with partial sunshine. High of -14°C, low of -20°C.
Fort Hope (Eabametoong)
Current Conditions: Mostly cloudy, temperature at -16°C. Barometric pressure is 1020 hPa and falling. Winds are from the west at 10 km/h. Sunrise at 8:15 AM; sunset at 4:20 PM.
Forecast:
- December 3: Cloudy with light snow late in the afternoon, high of -12°C, low of -14°C.
- December 4: Cloudy with snow in the afternoon, accumulating 2–4 cm. High of -11°C, low of -12°C.
- December 5: Cold with low clouds, high of -9°C, low of -21°C.
Sachigo Lake
Current Conditions: Partly cloudy, temperature at -17°C. Barometric pressure is 1022 hPa and falling. Winds are calm. Sunrise at 8:20 AM; sunset at 4:10 PM.
Forecast:
- December 3: Cloudy and cold, high of -13°C, low of -15°C.
- December 4: Cloudy with light snow, little to no accumulation. High of -9°C, low of -18°C.
- December 5: Colder with some sun, high of -15°C, low of -19°C.
KI (Big Trout Lake)
Current Conditions: Partly cloudy, temperature at -17°C. Barometric pressure is 1025 hPa and falling. Winds are calm. Sunrise at 8:25 AM; sunset at 4:05 PM.
Forecast:
- December 3: Cloudy and cold, high of -13°C, low of -15°C.
- December 4: Cloudy with light snow, little to no accumulation. High of -9°C, low of -18°C.
- December 5: Colder with some sun, high of -15°C, low of -19°C.
Sandy Lake
Current Conditions: Mostly cloudy, temperature at -18°C. Barometric pressure is 1028 hPa and falling. Winds are from the west at 10 km/h. Sunrise at 8:30 AM; sunset at 4:00 PM.
Forecast:
- December 3: Cloudy with light snow late in the afternoon, high of -9°C, low of -15°C.
- December 4: Cloudy with snow, accumulating 2–4 cm. High of -11°C, low of -20°C.
- December 5: Cold with some sun, high of -15°C, low of -18°C.
Pikangikum
Current Conditions: Mostly cloudy, temperature at -13°C. Barometric pressure is 1026 hPa and falling. Winds are from the west at 8 km/h. Sunrise at 8:10 AM; sunset at 4:20 PM.
Forecast:
- December 3: Snow, accumulating 1–3 cm, high of -8°C, low of -16°C.
- December 4: Low clouds with light snow, additional 1 cm. High of -13°C, low of -20°C.
- December 5: Cold with partial sunshine, high of -15°C, low of -17°C.
Cat Lake
Current Conditions: Mostly cloudy, temperature at -15°C. Barometric pressure is 1027 hPa and falling. Winds are calm. Sunrise is at 8:20 AM, and sunset at 4:15 PM.
Forecast:
- December 3: Cloudy skies with light snow in the late afternoon, accumulating 1–2 cm. High of -12°C, low of -16°C.
- December 4: Overcast with snow showers, totaling 2–4 cm. High of -10°C, low of -20°C.
- December 5: Cold with a mix of sun and clouds. High of -15°C, low of -18°C.
Kasabonika Lake
Current Conditions: Kasabonika Lake is under mostly cloudy skies with a temperature of -16°C. The barometric pressure is at 1028 hPa and falling. Winds are calm. Sunrise is at 8:25 AM, and sunset at 4:10 PM.
Forecast:
- December 3: Mainly cloudy with light snow developing late, high of -11°C, low of -15°C.
- December 4: Overcast with snow showers, accumulating 2–3 cm. High of -9°C, low of -18°C.
- December 5: Frigid with occasional sunshine, high of -13°C, low of -20°C.
Neskantaga (Lansdowne House)
Current Conditions: Neskantaga is experiencing partly cloudy skies at -14°C. The barometric pressure is at 1026 hPa and falling. Winds are calm. Sunrise is at 8:30 AM, and sunset at 4:15 PM.
Forecast:
- December 3: Cloudy with occasional snow showers, high of -11°C, low of -14°C.
- December 4: Overcast with snow accumulations of 2–4 cm. High of -10°C, low of -18°C.
- December 5: Bitterly cold with a mix of sun and clouds. High of -14°C, low of -19°C.
Summer Beaver
Current Conditions: Summer Beaver is under mostly cloudy skies with a temperature of -15°C. The barometric pressure is at 1029 hPa and falling. Winds are light. Sunrise is at 8:35 AM, and sunset at 4:05 PM.
Forecast:
- December 3: Snow expected in the late afternoon, accumulating 1–2 cm. High of -12°C, low of -16°C.
- December 4: Overcast with snow showers continuing, high of -9°C, low of -20°C.
- December 5: A mix of sun and clouds with frigid temperatures. High of -14°C, low of -19°C.
Peawanuck
Current Conditions: Peawanuck reports mostly cloudy skies with a temperature of -12°C. The barometric pressure is at 1025 hPa and steady. Winds are from the east at 10 km/h. Sunrise is at 8:40 AM, and sunset at 4:05 PM.
Forecast:
- December 3: Cold with light snow late in the day, high of -10°C, low of -15°C.
- December 4: Overcast with snow, accumulating 2–4 cm. High of -8°C, low of -17°C.
- December 5: Cold and breezy with scattered clouds. High of -12°C, low of -20°C.
Attawapiskat
Current Conditions: Attawapiskat is under cloudy skies with a temperature of -11°C. The barometric pressure is at 1024 hPa and steady. Winds are calm. Sunrise is at 8:50 AM, and sunset at 4:20 PM.
Forecast:
- December 3: Cloudy with snow arriving late, accumulating 1–2 cm. High of -8°C, low of -14°C.
- December 4: Periods of snow, adding 2–3 cm. High of -9°C, low of -16°C.
- December 5: Cloudy and cold with partial sunshine, high of -12°C, low of -18°C.
Wardrobe Suggestions
The next few days will bring persistent cold temperatures and snow to Northern Ontario’s First Nation communities. Residents should dress warmly in insulated coats, thermal layers, and winter boots. Hats, gloves, and scarves are essential to protect against wind chills that make temperatures feel even colder.
What is an Alberta Clipper?
If you live in Northwestern Ontario, you’ve likely heard the term “Alberta Clipper” during winter weather forecasts. But what exactly is it?
Essentially, an Alberta Clipper is a fast-moving low-pressure system that originates in or near Alberta, Canada. These systems typically track southeastward across Canada and the northern United States, bringing with them a quick burst of snow and a sharp drop in temperature.
Why “Clipper”?
The name comes from the clipper ships of the 19th century, known for their speed and agility. Like these ships, Alberta Clippers move quickly, often crossing the continent in just a few days.
What to Expect:
- Light to moderate snowfall: Alberta Clippers usually don’t dump massive amounts of snow, but they can still bring several inches of accumulation.
- Strong winds: Winds can be gusty, causing blowing snow and reduced visibility.
- Cold temperatures: One of the hallmarks of an Alberta Clipper is the blast of Arctic air that follows in its wake. Temperatures can plummet significantly after a Clipper passes through.
Impacts:
While Alberta Clippers are generally not as intense as other winter storms, they can still cause disruptions:
- Travel delays: Snow and wind can make driving conditions hazardous.
- School closures: Schools may close due to poor weather.
- Power outages: Strong winds can bring down trees and power lines.
Stay Informed:
It’s important to stay informed about weather conditions during the winter months. Pay attention to forecasts and be prepared for sudden changes in the weather. If an Alberta Clipper is headed your way, take precautions and adjust your travel plans accordingly.
Weather Trivia
Northern Ontario often experiences Alberta Clippers during the winter months. These fast-moving low-pressure systems bring bursts of snow, frigid air, and windy conditions. By December, many communities rely on frozen rivers and lakes for transportation, and snow from these systems plays a crucial role in establishing safe winter routes.
