THUNDER BAY – WEATHER DESK – As early December unfolds, Northwestern Ontario is experiencing typical winter conditions characterized by cold temperatures, overcast skies, and intermittent snowfall. Here’s a detailed weather forecast for December 5, 6, and 7, 2024, covering the communities of Kenora, Dryden, Fort Frances, Atikokan, Sioux Lookout, Pickle Lake, Red Lake, Ear Falls, Nipigon, Terrace Bay, and Armstrong.
The western part of the region is free of weather alerts and warnings. However from Thunder Bay heading east, Highway 11 and Highway 17 will present some challenges today.
Weather Highlights Across Northwestern Ontario
Northwestern Ontario communities will experience consistent winter conditions, with cloudy skies and light snow flurries dominating the forecast. While no major weather warnings are currently in effect, roads may become slippery due to intermittent snowfall.
Residents should drive cautiously and monitor conditions, particularly in areas prone to snow squalls near Nipigon and Beardmore.
Kenora:
Currently, Kenora is partly cloudy with a temperature of -13°C. The barometric pressure is steady, and winds are light. Sunrise is at 8:00 AM, and sunset at 4:15 PM.
- December 5: Low clouds breaking for some sun, high of -12°C, low of -13°C.
- December 6: Thick cloud cover with a couple of afternoon flurries, high of -8°C, low of -10°C.
- December 7: Morning snow, sleet, and freezing rain with little accumulation; considerable cloudiness, high of 0°C, low of -2°C.
Dryden:
Dryden reports partly cloudy skies at -12°C. Winds are calm, and the barometric pressure is stable. Sunrise is at 8:05 AM, and sunset at 4:20 PM.
- December 5: Low clouds breaking for some sun, high of -12°C, low of -14°C.
- December 6: Thick cloud cover with light snow, little to no accumulation, high of -11°C, low of -12°C.
- December 7: Morning snow with little accumulation; considerable cloudiness, high of -1°C, low of -3°C.
Fort Frances:
Currently, Fort Frances is mostly cloudy at -12°C. Winds are light, and the barometric pressure is steady. Sunrise is at 8:10 AM, and sunset at 4:25 PM.
- December 5: Cold with low clouds, high of -10°C, low of -14°C.
- December 6: Cloudy and not as cold; a flurry in the afternoon, high of -7°C, low of -9°C.
- December 7: Clouds followed by a brightening sky, high of 2°C, low of -5°C.
Atikokan:
Atikokan is experiencing cloudy conditions at -11°C. Winds are calm, with a steady barometric pressure. Sunrise is at 8:15 AM, and sunset at 4:30 PM.
- December 5: Some sun, then turning cloudy, high of -10°C, low of -13°C.
- December 6: Thick cloud cover with light afternoon snow, accumulating up to 1 cm, high of -8°C, low of -13°C.
- December 7: Morning snow with little accumulation; considerable cloudiness, high of 1°C, low of -6°C.
Sioux Lookout:
Sioux Lookout reports mostly clear skies at -11°C. Winds are light, and the barometric pressure is stable. Sunrise is at 8:20 AM, and sunset at 4:35 PM.
- December 5: Low clouds, high of -11°C, low of -15°C.
- December 6: Thick cloud cover with light afternoon snow, little to no accumulation, high of -10°C, low of -12°C.
- December 7: Considerable cloudiness; morning flurries followed by light afternoon snow, high of -1°C, low of -3°C.
Pickle Lake:
Currently, Pickle Lake is cloudy at -11°C. Winds are calm, with a steady barometric pressure. Sunrise is at 8:25 AM, and sunset at 4:40 PM.
- December 5: Very cold with low clouds breaking for some sun, high of -12°C, low of -17°C.
- December 6: Cold with considerable cloudiness; light afternoon snow, up to 1 cm, high of -12°C, low of -16°C.
- December 7: Snow at times, accumulating an additional 1–2 cm, high of -8°C, low of -10°C.
Red Lake:
Red Lake is mostly cloudy with a temperature of -15°C. Winds are light, and the barometric pressure is stable. Sunrise is at 8:30 AM, and sunset at 4:45 PM.
- December 5: Low clouds breaking for some sun, high of -13°C, low of -17°C.
- December 6: Cloudy with occasional snow and flurries, mainly later, up to 1 cm, high of -12°C, low of -13°C.
- December 7: Thick cloud cover with light snow, little to no accumulation, high of 0°C, low of -2°C.
Ear Falls:
Ear Falls reports partly cloudy skies at -12°C. Winds are calm, with a steady barometric pressure. Sunrise is at 8:35 AM, and sunset at 4:50 PM.
- December 5: Some sun, high of -12°C, low of -16°C.
- December 6: Light snow at times, up to 1 cm, high of -10°C, low of -12°C.
- December 7: Thick cloud cover with light snow, up to 1 cm, high of 0°C, low of -2°C.
Nipigon:
Lake effect snow squalls off Lake Nipigon this morning.
Hazards: Additional local snowfall accumulations of 5 to 10 cm. Reduced visibility in snow and local blowing snow.
Timing: Continuing this morning.
Lake effect snow squalls off Lake Nipigon will impact travel along portions of Highway 11 between Macdiarmid and Nipigon. Northerly winds gusting to near 60 km/h will result in areas of blowing snow.
While the heaviest snow is expected to ease this morning, lake effect flurries may persist through this afternoon. Snow squalls cause weather conditions to vary considerably; changes from clear skies to heavy snow within just a few kilometres are common. Travel is expected to be hazardous due to reduced visibility.
Consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve.
Nipigon is experiencing snow with a temperature of -8°C. Winds are from the northwest at 15 km/h, creating a wind chill near -14°C. The barometric pressure is at 1015 hPa and steady. Sunrise is at 7:45 AM, and sunset at 4:20 PM.
- December 5: Expect periods of light snow tapering to flurries by late morning, with a high of -6°C and a low of -10°C.
- December 6: Overcast skies with light afternoon snow, little accumulation expected, with a high of -5°C and a low of -9°C.
- December 7: Mainly cloudy with scattered snow flurries, a high of -3°C, and a low of -8°C.
Terrace Bay:
Terrace Bay is currently overcast with intermittent snow and a temperature of -9°C. Winds are from the northwest at 20 km/h, producing a wind chill of -15°C. The barometric pressure is steady at 1016 hPa. Sunrise is at 7:48 AM, and sunset at 4:25 PM.
- December 5: Expect snow flurries tapering by the afternoon, with a high of -8°C and a low of -12°C.
- December 6: Cloudy conditions will dominate, with light snow showers developing in the evening and a high of -6°C and a low of -9°C.
- December 7: Flurries in the morning, followed by overcast skies, with a high of -4°C and a low of -10°C.
Armstrong:
Armstrong is currently mostly cloudy with a temperature of -11°C. Winds are light, and the barometric pressure is at 1017 hPa and steady. Sunrise is at 7:50 AM, and sunset at 4:22 PM.
- December 5: Expect thick cloud cover with occasional breaks of sunshine, a high of -10°C and a low of -13°C.
- December 6: Cloudy skies with occasional light snow flurries, accumulating up to 1 cm, a high of -9°C and a low of -12°C.
- December 7: Overcast skies with light snow in the afternoon, accumulating 1–2 cm, a high of -7°C and a low of -11°C.
Wardrobe Recommendations
For all communities, insulated winter clothing is essential, including heavy coats, gloves, scarves, and thermal boots. Wind chills may make temperatures feel significantly colder, especially in Nipigon and Terrace Bay, where winds are stronger. Waterproof outer layers are advisable to manage light snow and icy surfaces.
Weather Trivia
- Kenora: The Lake of the Woods region often sees its first significant ice cover by early December, marking the beginning of ice fishing preparations.
- Dryden: Dryden’s annual snowfall averages 150 cm, with much of it falling between November and February.
- Terrace Bay: The proximity to Lake Superior often brings lake-effect snow showers, creating higher local snowfall compared to inland areas.
