Bitter Wind Chills Near -40°C Make for a Frigid Morning
Fort Frances remains under an Extreme Cold Warning with wind chills nearing -40°C. Stay indoors, protect pets and livestock, and brace for another frigid night
Residents of Fort Frances, Emo, and Rainy River are waking up to dangerously cold conditions this morning as an Extreme Cold Warning remains in effect. With wind chills plunging to -40°C, exposed skin can develop frostbite in mere minutes. If you’re stepping outside, bundle up in layers and keep movement to a minimum to preserve body heat.
Current Conditions in Fort Frances
As of 10:00 AM CST, temperatures sit at a frigid -25.4°C, with a southwest wind at 11 km/h making it feel like -34°C. The humidity is at 76%, and the barometric pressure is 103.1 kPa and falling, suggesting potential changes ahead.
A mix of sun and cloud with a 30% chance of flurries is expected this morning, but skies will clear this afternoon. Winds will remain light, up to 15 km/h, and temperatures will reach a high of -19°C—which, let’s be honest, still isn’t warm. The wind chill will make it feel like -34°C this morning and -26°C this afternoon, so frostbite remains a serious risk.
Bracing for Another Freezing Night
If you thought today was cold, tonight will test your winter endurance even more. With clear skies and light winds up to 15 km/h, temperatures will plummet to -29°C. The wind chill will hover around -28°C in the evening and drop to a bone-chilling -36°C overnight. If you’re outside for any reason, be fully covered—exposed skin won’t stand a chance.
Looking Ahead: Still Cold, But a Slightly Warmer Trend
Wednesday, February 12, will be sunny but frigid, with a high of -18°C. The morning wind chill will be -34°C, improving slightly to -22°C in the afternoon, but the risk of frostbite remains high. Overnight, temperatures will dive again to -30°C under clear skies.
Thursday, February 13, brings more sunshine with a high of -17°C, while Friday, February 14, introduces a 30% chance of flurries and a slightly “warmer” high of -14°C—though that’s still nothing to celebrate.
Keeping Pets and Livestock Safe in the Cold
If it’s too cold for you, it’s too cold for your pets. Keep dogs and cats indoors as much as possible, and limit their time outside to short bathroom breaks. If they must go out, ensure they have proper protection, such as booties and insulated coats. Check their paws for frostbite and provide warm bedding inside.
For livestock, ensure adequate shelter, extra feed, and fresh, unfrozen water. Animals need more energy to stay warm in extreme cold, so increase their food supply accordingly. If using heated waterers, check them frequently to prevent freezing.
Historical Weather Facts for February 11
On this day in Fort Frances history, the warmest February 11 on record reached +3.8°C (a dream compared to today), while the coldest bottomed out at -41.1°C—proving that while today’s temperatures are brutal, we’ve seen even worse.
Stay warm, cover up, and remember—frostbite waits for no one!
