A Mild Christmas for Northwestern Ontario
This morning, Fort Frances, Mine Centre, Red Gut First Nation, and Atikokan are waking up to cloudy skies and temperatures of -9°C. With a humidity level of 93% and a light south wind at 9 km/h, the wind chill makes it feel like a frosty -14°C. Fog patches lingering early this morning will dissipate as the day progresses, setting the stage for a cloudy holiday week.
Christmas Eve: A Cloudy Day with Flurries and Gusty Winds
Today’s weather will feature mainly cloudy skies, with a 30% chance of flurries by late afternoon. Winds will pick up, shifting to the south at 20 km/h and gusting to 40 km/h, causing temperatures to briefly dip to -12°C before rising again by midday. The wind chill will feel as cold as -20°C this morning but will improve to -9°C this afternoon.
The UV index is a low 1, leaving the sun hidden behind the clouds. It’s a great day for bundling up and enjoying indoor holiday activities.
Tonight: Flurries and Freezing Drizzle Risks
Cloudy skies continue overnight, with a 30% chance of flurries and a risk of freezing drizzle late in the evening and overnight. Winds will calm to become light early in the evening, with temperatures steady at -5°C. The wind chill will hover around -10°C, making for a chilly but not unbearable night. Take caution on potentially slippery roads if you’re traveling for holiday celebrations.
Christmas Day: Overcast with a Hint of Warmth
Christmas Day brings overcast skies but milder conditions, with temperatures climbing to a high of 1°C. Winds will stay light at up to 15 km/h, with a morning wind chill of -10°C easing as the day warms. It’s a great day for outdoor festivities like a winter walk or sledding.
The evening will feature clear skies and a low of -3°C—ideal for stargazing or cozying up indoors.
Boxing Day: Cloudy with Milder Temperatures
Boxing Day will be cloudy with a 30% chance of flurries and temperatures reaching a high of 2°C. Overnight, the chance of flurries continues as lows stay above freezing at 1°C. It’s a mild stretch to round out the holiday week but could make for slushy and slick roads.
Weather Trivia for Fort Frances and Surrounding Areas
On December 24, Fort Frances’ warmest Christmas Eve was recorded at 6.1°C in 1994, while the coldest plummeted to -37.4°C in 1983. Today’s weather sits comfortably in the middle—cold enough for holiday spirit but warm enough for a festive stroll.
