Frigid Start with Ice Crystals in the Air
Kenora wakes up to a bone-chilling -31°C wind chill. Sun and clouds today, with dangerously cold temperatures continuing. Slight warming trend by Saturday
Kenora and the Lake of the Woods region are waking up to a bitterly cold morning, with temperatures at -23.1°C as of 6:00 AM. A north-northwest wind at 11 km/h is driving the wind chill down to a frosty -31°C, making for a dangerously cold start to the day. Humidity is sitting at 67%, and the barometric pressure is at 104.2 kPa, though it’s beginning to drop. Despite the extreme cold, visibility is excellent at 32 km.
Looking back at history, February 19 has delivered a wide range of temperatures in Kenora. The record high for this date is 6.1°C, recorded in 1994, while the record low plunged to -39.5°C in 1966. So, while today is frigid, it’s not quite at historic extremes—though your fingers and toes might argue otherwise!
Today’s Forecast: A Mix of Sun and Cloud with a Frigid Wind Chill
Expect a mix of sun and cloud throughout the day, with a 30% chance of morning flurries. Winds will stay relatively light, reaching up to 15 km/h, but don’t let that fool you—the wind chill will make it feel like -33°C this morning before slightly improving to -21°C this afternoon. The UV index is low at 2, so while the sun may shine, it won’t provide much warmth. The risk of frostbite is high, with exposed skin potentially freezing in minutes.
Tonight: Clear and Bitterly Cold
Skies will clear out tonight, allowing temperatures to plummet to -25°C. Winds will remain up to 15 km/h, and the wind chill will hover around -22°C this evening before dropping to -28°C overnight. It’s another dangerously cold night, so if you must be outside, layer up and keep skin covered.
Thursday: Plenty of Sunshine, But Still Freezing
Thursday will bring sunny skies, offering at least some visual relief from the cold. Winds will remain calm, up to 15 km/h, but the morning wind chill will be brutal at -30°C before easing slightly to -14°C in the afternoon. The high will reach -11°C, but with the continued frostbite risk, it won’t feel much better than today.
Thursday night will see increasing cloudiness, with temperatures dipping to -19°C.
Looking Ahead: A Gradual (Sort of) Warm-Up
Friday will bring cloudy skies with a 40% chance of flurries and a slightly “warmer” high of -8°C. By nightfall, conditions will remain cloudy, with a low of -12°C.
Saturday continues the cloudy trend with a 30% chance of flurries and a high of -4°C, marking a slow but noticeable warm-up. However, the evening will bring a 60% chance of flurries and a low of -9°C.
What to Wear? Full Arctic Gear Recommended!
With wind chills in the -30°C range, this is no time for fashion over function. Thick, insulated winter coats, thermal layers, heavy-duty gloves, scarves, and face protection are essential. Frostbite can develop in as little as 10 minutes, so keep exposed skin to a minimum if you’re heading out.
Fun Weather Fact: Kenora’s Ice Roads
Did you know that during winter, Kenora is home to ice roads that connect isolated communities? These frozen highways allow travel across Lake of the Woods, making the region’s harsh winters a little more manageable. Just another reason why Kenora knows how to handle the cold!
