THUNDER BAY – WEATHER DESK – As December 10, 2024, unfolds, Northern Ontario’s Indigenous communities are experiencing a range of winter conditions. Here’s a detailed weather report for Marten Falls, Wasaho Cree Nation (Fort Severn), Fort Hope, Sachigo Lake, KI (Big Trout Lake), Sandy Lake, Pikangikum, Cat Lake, Kasabonika Lake, Neskantaga (Lansdowne House), Summer Beaver, Peawanuck, and Attawapiskat for December 10, 11, and 12, 2024.
Marten Falls (Ogoki Post)
Current Conditions: Clear skies with a temperature of -13°C. Barometric pressure is steady. Winds are calm.
Forecast:
- December 10: Morning snow accumulating up to 1 cm; otherwise, cloudy. High of -9°C, low of -20°C.
- December 11: Colder with low clouds. High of -15°C, low of -21°C.
- December 12: Morning snow showers; otherwise, very cold with low clouds. High of -16°C, low of -22°C.
Sunrise and Sunset: Sunrise at 8:24 AM; sunset at 4:24 PM.
Wardrobe Suggestions: Insulated jackets, thermal layers, and snow boots are essential to stay warm.
Weather Trivia: Marten Falls often sees December as the onset of consistent snow cover lasting into spring.
Wasaho Cree Nation (Fort Severn)
Current Conditions: Cloudy with a temperature of -18°C. Barometric pressure is steady. Winds are calm.
Forecast:
- December 10: Cloudy with light snow in the afternoon. High of -12°C, low of -16°C.
- December 11: Windy and cold with low clouds. High of -14°C, low of -17°C.
- December 12: Very windy; low clouds with light snow in the afternoon. High of -11°C, low of -17°C.
Sunrise and Sunset: Sunrise at 8:23 AM; sunset at 4:15 PM.
Wardrobe Suggestions: Windproof jackets and face protection are crucial against biting winds.
Weather Trivia: Fort Severn is among Ontario’s coldest inhabited areas in December, with average highs below -10°C.
Fort Hope (Eabametoong)
Current Conditions: Mostly cloudy with a temperature of -14°C. Barometric pressure is steady. Winds are calm.
Forecast:
- December 10: Low clouds. High of -11°C, low of -19°C.
- December 11: Morning light snow; otherwise, cloudy and colder. High of -16°C, low of -22°C.
- December 12: Morning flurries; otherwise, very cold with low clouds. High of -17°C, low of -24°C.
Sunrise and Sunset: Sunrise at 8:20 AM; sunset at 4:20 PM.
Wardrobe Suggestions: Layered clothing with insulated outerwear is recommended.
Weather Trivia: December often brings the first significant snowfalls to Fort Hope, marking winter’s arrival.
Sachigo Lake
Current Conditions: Mostly cloudy with a temperature of -17°C. Barometric pressure is steady. Winds are calm.
Forecast:
- December 10: Cold with light snow, accumulating up to 1 cm. High of -16°C, low of -28°C.
- December 11: Morning light snow; otherwise, cloudy and very cold. High of -23°C, low of -27°C.
- December 12: Low clouds and very cold. High of -20°C, low of -26°C.
Sunrise and Sunset: Sunrise at 8:25 AM; sunset at 4:25 PM.
Wardrobe Suggestions: Heavy-duty winter gear is essential to combat extreme cold.
Weather Trivia: Sachigo Lake’s December temperatures can plunge below -30°C, emphasizing the need for proper attire.
KI (Big Trout Lake)
Current Conditions: Mostly cloudy with a temperature of -21°C. Barometric pressure is steady. Winds are calm.
Forecast:
- December 10: Cloudy and seasonably cold. High of -14°C, low of -21°C.
- December 11: Colder with light snow. High of -20°C, low of -21°C.
- December 12: Low clouds, breezy and cold. High of -17°C, low of -22°C.
Sunrise and Sunset: Sunrise at 8:30 AM; sunset at 4:30 PM.
Wardrobe Suggestions: Insulated clothing and windproof layers are recommended.
Weather Trivia: Big Trout Lake often experiences early December snow cover, lasting through winter.
Sandy Lake
Current Conditions: Mostly cloudy with a temperature of -15°C. Barometric pressure is steady. Winds are calm.
Forecast:
- December 10: Cold with light snow, accumulating up to 1 cm. High of -15°C, low of -29°C.
- December 11: Cloudy and very cold. High of -24°C, low of -28°C.
- December 12: Very cold with low clouds. High of -20°C, low of -28°C.
Sunrise and Sunset: Sunrise at 8:22 AM; sunset at 4:22 PM.
Wardrobe Suggestions: Thermal layers and insulated outerwear are essential.
Weather Trivia: Sandy Lake experiences some of the longest stretches of continuous cold in Ontario, with December often marking the start of deep freeze conditions lasting months.
Pikangikum
Current Conditions: Pikangikum wakes up to cloudy skies and a temperature of -14°C. The barometric pressure is steady, and winds are calm.
Forecast:
- December 10: Cloudy with occasional flurries. High near -12°C and a low of -20°C.
- December 11: A mix of sun and cloud with occasional snow showers. High of -18°C and a low of -25°C.
- December 12: Continued cold with low clouds. High of -17°C and a low of -24°C.
Sunrise and Sunset: Sunrise at 8:30 AM, sunset at 4:25 PM.
Wardrobe Suggestions: Layered thermal clothing and heavy winter boots are necessary, especially with wind chills dipping lower.
Weather Trivia: Pikangikum often sees heavy snow accumulation by mid-December, preparing the region for traditional winter activities.
Cat Lake
Current Conditions: Cat Lake reports partly cloudy skies at -15°C. The barometric pressure is steady, with calm winds creating a serene winter morning.
Forecast:
- December 10: Mostly cloudy with flurries developing by the afternoon. High near -14°C, dropping to -23°C overnight.
- December 11: Light snow clearing in the afternoon, with a high of -19°C and a low of -26°C.
- December 12: A sunny but cold day, with temperatures between -18°C and -27°C.
Sunrise and Sunset: Sunrise at 8:25 AM, sunset at 4:23 PM.
Wardrobe Suggestions: Insulated jackets, hats, and gloves are essential for warmth.
Weather Trivia: December in Cat Lake is a critical time for community preparations, as consistent sub-zero temperatures ensure strong ice cover for transportation.
Kasabonika Lake
Current Conditions: Light snow and a temperature of -17°C set the stage in Kasabonika Lake. Winds are light, and the barometric pressure is steady.
Forecast:
- December 10: Snow tapering by late evening. High of -15°C and a low of -23°C.
- December 11: A mix of sun and cloud, with occasional snow showers. High of -19°C, low of -25°C.
- December 12: Bitterly cold with sunshine, temperatures steady between -20°C and -27°C.
Sunrise and Sunset: Sunrise at 8:27 AM, sunset at 4:20 PM.
Wardrobe Suggestions: Thermal layers and windproof outerwear are essential for extended outdoor activities.
Weather Trivia: Kasabonika Lake often experiences long stretches of snow-filled days in December, with deep cold becoming routine.
Neskantaga (Lansdowne House)
Current Conditions: Cloudy skies and a temperature of -18°C prevail this morning, with light snow falling intermittently. Winds are calm.
Forecast:
- December 10: Intermittent light snow with highs near -16°C, dropping to -24°C overnight.
- December 11: Cloudy with a chance of flurries. High of -21°C, low of -27°C.
- December 12: Bright sunshine but very cold, with temperatures steady around -22°C.
Sunrise and Sunset: Sunrise at 8:28 AM, sunset at 4:22 PM.
Wardrobe Suggestions: A heavy winter coat, gloves, and thermal underlayers are mandatory.
Weather Trivia: December often sees the first extended ice formations on local waterways in Neskantaga, critical for travel.
Summer Beaver (Nibinamik)
Current Conditions: Clear skies and a biting -22°C set the tone in Summer Beaver, with steady pressure and calm winds.
Forecast:
- December 10: Clear and cold, with highs of -20°C and lows of -25°C.
- December 11: Intermittent flurries and colder, with highs of -23°C and lows of -30°C.
- December 12: Clear skies with extreme cold, temperatures steady around -25°C.
Sunrise and Sunset: Sunrise at 8:31 AM, sunset at 4:20 PM.
Wardrobe Suggestions: Full Arctic gear is required for safety outdoors, including face protection.
Weather Trivia: December temperatures here frequently test the durability of winter clothing.
Peawanuck
Current Conditions: Partly cloudy skies and a temperature of -21°C define the day in Peawanuck. Winds are calm, and the barometric pressure is steady.
Forecast:
- December 10: Intermittent snow showers with highs of -19°C and lows of -26°C.
- December 11: Mostly clear but colder, with temperatures steady around -24°C.
- December 12: Continued clear skies with temperatures plunging to -28°C.
Sunrise and Sunset: Sunrise at 8:33 AM, sunset at 4:15 PM.
Wardrobe Suggestions: Heavy-duty winter boots, gloves, and windproof jackets are essential for survival in extreme conditions.
Weather Trivia: Peawanuck has some of the most extreme December cold spells in the region.
Attawapiskat
Current Conditions: Overcast skies at -16°C with calm winds. Barometric pressure is steady.
Forecast:
- December 10: Cloudy with light snow and highs of -14°C, dropping to -22°C overnight.
- December 11: Flurries tapering to partly cloudy skies, with highs near -20°C and lows of -27°C.
- December 12: Clear and very cold, temperatures steady around -25°C.
Sunrise and Sunset: Sunrise at 8:34 AM, sunset at 4:17 PM.
Wardrobe Suggestions: Ensure multiple layers of thermal clothing to combat frostbite risks.
Weather Trivia: Attawapiskat sees consistent snowfall in December, adding to the already challenging winter conditions.
