Prepare for a Messy Saturday with Snow, Ice, and Wind

Kenora faces a winter storm Saturday, bringing 10-15 cm of snow, ice pellets, and strong winds. Hazardous travel and blowing snow expected. Stay prepared!

Kenora and surrounding areas—including Grassy Narrows and Whitedog—are under a Winter Storm Watch as a powerful Colorado low approaches. This system is expected to bring a wild mix of rain, ice pellets, freezing rain, and heavy snow starting early Saturday morning and lasting into the night. Travel will likely be treacherous, so it’s best to prepare now.

Today: A Brief Taste of Spring Before the Storm

For now, Kenora is enjoying relatively mild conditions, with a current temperature of 2.3°C under mostly cloudy skies. The wind from the ESE at 18 km/h, gusting to 29 km/h, is keeping things breezy. Humidity sits at 66%, and the barometric pressure is falling at 99.7 kPa, indicating that stormy weather is on the way.

The day will bring a mix of sun and cloud with a 40% chance of rain. Winds will pick up from the southeast at 20 km/h, gusting to 40 km/h, before becoming calm this afternoon. The high will reach 11°C, so enjoy the relative warmth while it lasts!

Tonight, periods of rain with a risk of thunderstorms are expected. Winds will shift to the north at 30 km/h, gusting to 50 km/h after midnight, with temperatures dropping to 1°C.

Saturday: A Winter Storm Takes Over

The real action begins early Saturday morning. Rain will transition to snow mixed with ice pellets and freezing rain, making for extremely hazardous conditions. Expect between 10 to 15 cm of snow and ice pellets.

By late morning and into the afternoon, local blowing snow will develop as strong northwest winds of 40 km/h, gusting to 60 km/h create near-whiteout conditions. Temperatures will plummet to -7°C by the afternoon, with wind chills making it feel like a bitter -17°C.

Saturday night will see continued flurries and blowing snow, with temperatures plunging to -17°C.

Sunday and Beyond: A Cold and Blustery Stretch

Sunday will bring a mix of sun and cloud with a 30% chance of flurries and a high of -6°C. The night will be clear but frigid, with lows dipping to -15°C.

Monday follows with similar conditions: a mix of sun and cloud with a 30% chance of flurries and a high of -1°C. Nighttime temperatures will settle around -11°C.

Hazards: Travel Could Become Dangerous

With rapidly accumulating snow, icy surfaces, and strong winds creating blowing snow, road conditions will deteriorate quickly on Saturday. Visibility may be suddenly reduced, and power outages are possible if ice accumulates on trees and power lines. If you can avoid travel, it’s best to do so.

Wardrobe Advice: From Rain Gear to Full Winter Mode

Friday might tempt you into light jackets, but by Saturday, it’s back to full winter gear. Waterproof layers will be crucial early on, followed by heavy-duty winter coats, insulated boots, gloves, and a hat as temperatures plunge and the wind picks up. Expect numbing cold by Saturday night, so bundle up!

Fun Weather Fact: The Power of a Colorado Low

Did you know? Colorado Lows are notorious for bringing extreme weather to Ontario. These storms can dump massive amounts of snow, ice, and rain, sometimes within just a few hours! Their unpredictable tracks make them tricky to forecast, which is why snowfall amounts can vary greatly across different regions.

Stay safe, keep an eye on the changing conditions, and get ready for a messy Saturday in Kenora!