Thunder Bay – WEATHER – As December 4, 2024, unfolds, Canada experiences a diverse array of weather conditions from coast to coast to coast.
Notably, parts of Ontario are under snow squall advisories, signaling significant snowfall and challenging travel conditions. Here’s a comprehensive overview of the weather across the nation for December 4 and 5, 2024.
Atlantic Canada
St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador:
- December 4: Mostly sunny with a high of 0°C and a low of -6°C.
- December 5: Increasing cloudiness with a few flurries; high of 2°C and low of 0°C.
Saint John, New Brunswick:
- December 4: More clouds than sun, high of -1°C and low of -6°C.
- December 5: Cloudy and windy with a couple of snow showers; high of 5°C and low of -3°C.
Halifax, Nova Scotia:
- December 4: Sun with areas of low clouds, high of 1°C and low of -2°C.
- December 5: Very windy; cloudy with a couple of rain or snow showers; high of 7°C and low of 1°C.
Quebec
Québec City:
- December 4: Cloudy with a high of 0°C and a low of -2°C.
- December 5: Snow accumulating an additional 3-6 cm; high of 2°C and low of -8°C.
Montreal:
- December 4: Cloudy with light snow late in the afternoon; high of -1°C and low of -2°C.
- December 5: Cloudy with a couple of snow showers; high of 1°C and low of -8°C.
Ontario
Toronto:
- December 4: Windy with snow accumulating 5-10 cm; high of 2°C and low of -2°C.
- December 5: Periods of clouds and sunshine with a couple of snow showers; high of 2°C and low of -6°C.
Greater Sudbury:
- December 4: Light snow accumulating up to 1 cm; high of -1°C and low of -7°C.
- December 5: Mostly cloudy, windy, and colder; high of -5°C and low of -15°C.
Sault Ste. Marie:
Lake effect snow squalls continue today. Hazards: Locally heavy snowfall with additional accumulations near 20 cm. Peak snowfall rates of 2 to 5 cm per hour. Very poor visibility at times in heavy snow and blowing snow. Power outages possible due to the heavy wet nature of the snow. Timing: Continuing through this evening. Discussion: Lake effect snow squalls off Lake Superior will continue today as a low pressure system moves across Lake Superior, enhancing snowfall amounts. Snow squalls will then move south of the region this evening. Snow squalls cause weather conditions to vary considerably; changes from clear skies to heavy snow within just a few kilometres are common. Road closures are likely.
- December 4: Snow with additional accumulations; high of 0°C and low of -7°C.
- December 5: Windy and colder with 5-10 cm of snow; high of -4°C and low of -9°C.
Thunder Bay:
- December 4: Cloudy and increasingly windy with some snow; high of -4°C and low of -10°C.
- December 5: Breezy in the morning; otherwise, cold with some clouds, then sunshine; high of -7°C and low of -12°C.
Prairies
Winnipeg, Manitoba:
Poor visibility in snow and blowing snow is expected or occurring in some locations. Reduced visibilities in blowing snow are expected at times throughout the Red River Valley today. Lake-effect flurries occurring concurrently with northerly winds gusting from 70 to 80 km/h will produce poor visibilities in blowing snow on Wednesday.
In the city of Winnipeg, this reduction in visibility will occur most often in open areas and in the vicinity of the Perimeter Highway. Winds will abate and visibilities will improve over the northern Red River Valley, including the city of Winnipeg, by Wednesday afternoon.
Improvement over the south is expected by Wednesday evening. Travel is expected to be hazardous due to reduced visibility in some locations. If visibility is reduced while driving, slow down, watch for tail lights ahead and be prepared to stop.
Ensure that shelter is provided for pets and outdoor animals. Blowing snow advisories are issued when winds are expected to create blowing snow giving poor visibility to 800 metres or less for at least 3 hours.
- December 4: Low clouds, windy, and much colder with snow flurries; high of -14°C and low of -19°C.
- December 5: Cloudy with a high of -12°C and a low of -13°C.
Churchill, Manitoba:
- December 4: Cloudy and windy with snow accumulating an additional 2-4 cm; high of -13°C and low of -24°C.
- December 5: Cold with intervals of clouds and sunshine; high of -19°C and low of -22°C.
Regina, Saskatchewan:
- December 4: Breezy in the morning; otherwise, cloudy and very cold; high of -18°C and low of -20°C.
- December 5: Breezy in the morning; otherwise, low clouds and not as cold; high of -5°C and low of -9°C.
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan:
- December 4: Cloudy and very cold; high of -17°C and low of -19°C.
- December 5: Not as cold with low clouds; high of -3°C and low of -9°C.
Alberta
Edmonton:
- December 4: Cloudy and much colder; a bit of morning snow followed by snow, sleet, and freezing rain in the afternoon; high of -6°C and low of -7°C.
- December 5: Mostly sunny with a high of 4°C and a low of 0°C.
Fort McMurray:
- December 4: Cloudy and cold; high of -13°C and low of -14°C.
- December 5: Sun through high clouds; high of -1°C and low of -6°C.
Calgary:
- December 4: Colder with intervals of clouds and sun; high of -2°C and low of -4°C.
- December 5: Cloudy and milder; high of 8°C and low of 1°C.
British Columbia
Kamloops:
- December 4: Mostly sunny with a high of 4°C and a low of -2°C.
Prince George:
- December 4: Rain and drizzle in the morning; otherwise, cloudy; high of 4°C and low of -1°C.
Vancouver:
- December 4: Cloudy with a high of 8°C and a low of 3°C.
Victoria:
- December 4: Mostly cloudy with a high of 8°C and a low of 4°C.
Northern Canada
Dawson City, Yukon:
- December 4: Intervals of clouds and sunshine; high of -12°C and low of -14°C.
- December 5: A little snow and freezing drizzle at times in the morning; high of -3°C and low of -8°C.
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories:
- December 4: Mostly cloudy with intervals of light snow in the afternoon; high of -25°C and low of -30°C.
- December 5: Partly sunny but extremely cold; high of -28°C and low of -34°C.
Alert, Nunavut:
- December 4: Frigid with clear skies; high of -35°C and low of -40°C.
- December 5: Clear and extremely cold; high of -34°C and low of -42°C.
Wardrobe Suggestions
Across Canada, proper winter attire is critical to navigating these wintry conditions. In areas experiencing snow squalls or extreme cold, residents should wear layered clothing, heavy winter coats, insulated boots, hats, gloves, and scarves to prevent frostbite. In the Prairie provinces, strong winds and sub-zero temperatures necessitate wind-resistant gear. Residents in Atlantic Canada should also prepare for wet snow and rain, requiring waterproof outerwear.
Weather Trivia
Did you know that snow squalls, like those currently impacting Sault Ste. Marie and surrounding areas, are among the most localized and intense weather phenomena in Canada? These storms, fueled by lake effect, can produce snowfall rates of 2-5 cm per hour, creating drastic visibility changes within minutes. Meanwhile, Alert, Nunavut, holds the record as the northernmost permanently inhabited settlement on Earth, where December daylight lasts only a few minutes each day.
