Winter Grips Kenora and the Lake of the Woods Region
The icy grip of winter continues to hold steady in Kenora and surrounding areas, including Whitedog and Highway 17. As of 6:00 AM CST today, temperatures sit at a bone-chilling -25.4°C, with ice crystals sparkling in the air. The humidity level is at 81%, and a north-northwest wind of 12 km/h is adding an extra bite, creating a wind chill of -35. The barometric pressure is on the rise, sitting at 103.1 kPa. Visibility is excellent at 32 kilometers—great for appreciating the frosty landscape if you’re brave enough to step outside.
Tuesday’s Forecast: Clear Skies but Bitter Cold
Mainly sunny skies dominate the forecast today, but don’t let the sunshine fool you—it’s cold. With winds reaching up to 15 km/h, the high temperature will climb to a modest -18°C, but the wind chill will keep it feeling much colder. Expect it to feel like -31 this morning and -24 by the afternoon. If you must venture outdoors, bundle up and heed the risk of frostbite. The UV index is a low 1, so sunglasses can stay home—though you might want to protect your eyeballs from freezing instead.
Tonight, partly cloudy skies will take over, with temperatures dipping to -22°C. Wind chill values will drop to a frosty -32 overnight, keeping the frostbite risk high.
Midweek Changes: Snow Returns Wednesday
On Wednesday, brace for a shift in the weather as clouds roll in and bring periods of snow starting early in the morning. Expect 2 to 4 cm of fresh powder by the end of the day. Winds will pick up, blowing southwest at 20 km/h and gusting to 40 km/h. Temperatures will reach a high of -3°C, but the morning wind chill of -30 will make it feel downright arctic before moderating to a more manageable -11 by afternoon.
Wednesday night brings continued snow and a low of -4°C, setting the stage for a slippery commute Thursday morning.
Extended Outlook: Flurries and Falling Temperatures
Thursday’s forecast holds a 40% chance of flurries with a high near -2°C. Periods of snow are expected Thursday night as temperatures slide back down to -9°C.
By Friday, the snowfall continues with a high of -10°C, before clearer skies and a much colder low of -22°C return Friday night.
What to Wear
Layers are your best friend today and throughout the week. Start with thermal base layers and add a thick sweater or fleece, topped off with a well-insulated parka. Don’t skimp on the extras: a toque, mittens, scarf, and warm winter boots are non-negotiable. Wind chill this severe is no joke, so protect exposed skin as much as possible.
Weather Trivia: Lake of the Woods’ Winter Record
Did you know the Lake of the Woods area once recorded a temperature of -48.9°C on January 24, 1929? That’s colder than some parts of the Arctic! While today’s -35 wind chill might feel extreme, it’s far from historic lows in this frosty region.
Weather in a Nutshell
Frigid temperatures continue in Kenora and Lake of the Woods, with frostbite risks and snow expected Wednesday. Stay warm as wind chills drop to -35°C today!
