A Frigid Morning with Clearing Skies by Noon
Kenora faces a frigid Friday with extreme wind chills before clearing skies. Weekend snow moves in, with temperatures rising slightly before another deep freeze Sunday night
Kenora and the Lake of the Woods region are starting the day in a deep freeze, with temperatures sitting at -17.5°C and light snowflakes drifting through the air. Humidity is at 85%, making the cold feel even more biting, while a brisk north wind at 13 km/h, gusting to 28 km/h, has pushed the wind chill down to a bone-chilling -25°C. The barometric pressure sits at 102.3 kPa and is rising, indicating a short-lived break in the snow.
Cloudy skies will dominate the morning with a lingering 30% chance of flurries before the clouds gradually clear by noon. However, temperatures will take an unusual dip before they rise again, dropping to -21°C this morning before rebounding slightly. The wind will pick up to 20 km/h before easing off in the afternoon, helping the wind chill improve from a brutal -32°C this morning to a “milder” -19°C later in the day. With frostbite risk still in play, it’s best to bundle up before stepping outside.
Tonight: Clear but Still Bitterly Cold
The skies will remain clear through the evening, though some clouds will sneak in late at night. Winds will stay light, around 15 km/h, but temperatures will bottom out at -20°C. The wind chill will hover near -27°C, keeping the night dangerously cold. If you’re heading out, be sure to wear your warmest winter gear—frostbite can set in quickly under these conditions.
Weekend Outlook: Snow Incoming!
Saturday will bring a shift in the weather pattern as clouds roll back in and snow makes its return. Periods of snow are expected to begin in the morning, bringing 2 to 4 cm of fresh accumulation throughout the day. Winds will pick up from the east at 20 km/h, but temperatures will moderate slightly, reaching a high of -7°C. The morning will still be bitterly cold, with a wind chill of -25°C, but conditions will ease slightly in the afternoon, with a wind chill of -14°C.
The snow will continue through Saturday night, with temperatures dropping to -9°C. By Sunday, flurries remain in the forecast, with a 60% chance of snowfall and a high of -6°C. The night will turn sharply colder again, with temperatures falling to -21°C under cloudy skies and continued flurry chances.
How to Dress for the Winter Chill?
Today calls for full winter armor—a heavy parka, insulated boots, gloves, and a face covering to guard against frostbite. Tonight and Saturday morning will be bitterly cold, so layering up is essential. By Saturday afternoon, as snow moves in and temperatures slightly improve, waterproof outer layers will come in handy. Sunday will be slightly milder but still cold enough for full winter gear.
Weather Trivia: Kenora’s Coldest January Ever
Did you know? Kenora’s coldest recorded January temperature was a staggering -45.6°C on January 11, 1912. So while this weekend is cold, it’s nowhere near the historic deep freeze of over a century ago!