A Chilly Start to Spring in Lake of the Woods
KENORA – Weather – Spring might technically be here, but Kenora and the Lake of the Woods region seem to have missed the memo. This Friday morning, temperatures are hanging tough at a frosty -8°C, with a wind chill dragging it down to a bitter -16°C.
Cloud cover is dominating the sky, and the wind from the north-northwest is blowing in with authority at 26 km/h, gusting up to 37 km/h. Visibility is an impressive 32 kilometres, and the barometric pressure is sitting at 100.3 kPa and rising—a hint that change may be on the way.
Humidity is relatively low at 67%, which means while it’s cold, at least it’s not clinging to you. Historic temperatures for March 21 in Kenora tell quite a story: the record high was a balmy 15.1°C back in 1910, while the record low chills us just reading it—an icy -32.2°C in 1965. Suddenly -8°C doesn’t seem so bad, does it?
Weekend Outlook – Flurries, Sunshine, and a Hint of Warmth
Today will keep that winter jacket working overtime with a high of just -10°C. There’s a 40 percent chance of flurries this morning and into the early afternoon, so if you’re heading out, maybe skip the black coat unless you enjoy the snowflake sprinkle look.
Winds remain stiff from the northwest at 20 km/h, gusting to 40, and the wind chill will have things feeling more like -22. The UV index is a meek 2—so the only burn you’re getting today is from forgetting your mittens.
Tonight, skies will clear up, and the wind will ease off. That calm won’t stop temperatures from diving though, with an overnight low of -20°C. Wind chills will slip even further to around -26 overnight. Yes, your car will definitely complain about starting in the morning.
Saturday starts out with sunshine, but don’t get too cozy—clouds roll in by afternoon, and there’s a 60 percent chance of flurries by late in the day. A southern wind at 20 km/h will bring a touch of warmth (relatively speaking), with a high of -7°C.
Morning wind chills will still have a bite at -27, but by afternoon it’ll “warm” to a mere -12. Saturday night brings periods of snow and a low of -8°C.
Sunday brings more snow into the mix with a high of -1°C. If you’re tired of shoveling, you might want to consider a snow day plan—hot cocoa, movies, and warm socks are highly recommended. Sunday night stays cloudy with a 30 percent chance of flurries and a low of -8°C.
Looking ahead to Monday, there’s a welcome break as skies become a mix of sun and cloud with a high just tipping above freezing at +1°C. Progress!
Wardrobe Wisdom for the Weather Warrior
Layer up, Kenora! Today and tomorrow demand thermal base layers, your thickest parka, insulated boots, and a serious pair of mittens. A scarf is no longer optional—it’s life-saving. With wind chills plunging below -25°C, it’s no time for fashion over function. Sunday might let you ease off one layer, and Monday could even tempt you to unzip the jacket—for a moment.
Weather Trivia – Kenora’s Hidden Stormy Past
Did you know? Kenora once saw 30.5 cm of snow in a single March day back in 1966. That’s nearly a foot of snow dumped just as folks were dreaming of spring. Up here on the edge of Lake of the Woods, the seasons like to keep us on our toes—or in snow boots!
