Snow, Ice Pellets, and Freezing Rain Bring Hazardous Conditions to the Border Region
Low Pressure System Dumps Heavy Snow Across Northwestern Ontario
FORT FRANCES – WEATHER – A Snowfall Warning continues for Fort Frances, Rainy River, Emo, Nigigoonsiminikaaning First Nation, and Atikokan as a powerful low-pressure system continues to roll through Northwestern Ontario. Environment Canada is forecasting 15 to 25 cm of snowfall, though totals may be slightly lower closer to the Minnesota border, where ice pellets and freezing rain may mix in.
At 6:00 AM CDT in Fort Frances, conditions were “not observed,” which usually means the snowfall is heavy enough to obscure basic readings—or the weather station just needed a coffee break. However, the temperature was sitting at -0.6°C with a dew point of -4.5°C, and humidity at 75%. Winds are blowing from the east-northeast at 16 km/h, delivering a wind chill of -5. Barometric pressure is falling at 101.4 kPa, signaling that the system is still intensifying.
Friday: Heavy Snow, Ice Pellets, and Freezing Rain Near the Border
Today’s forecast calls for a messy and wintry mix: snow or ice pellets, with a risk of freezing rain particularly for areas near the Minnesota border. Snowfall amounts will be around 10 cm for most, but areas south of the city may see closer to 5 cm if freezing rain takes over. Visibility will be reduced in heavy snow, and road conditions could quickly deteriorate.
Winds will pick up from the east at 20 km/h, gusting to 40, making for some blowing snow in open areas. Temperatures will hover near 0°C throughout the day, offering just enough warmth to allow for mixed precipitation but not enough to melt much of it. The UV index is a paltry 1—no sunburns today, just snow shovels and salt bags.
Tonight: More Snow and a Cold Wind
Snow continues through the evening, with another 2 to 4 cm expected, mixed with ice pellets early on and a continued risk of freezing rain near the border early in the evening. By midnight, the snow will dominate as temperatures fall to a low of -6°C, with wind chills dropping to -11°C. Winds from the northeast will remain steady at 20 km/h, gusting to 40, maintaining slippery and potentially icy road conditions into Saturday morning.
Saturday: A Slight Warm-Up and a Glimmer of Clearing
Saturday will remain mostly cloudy, but winds will ease through the morning, and a high of +2°C should help with some surface melting. That said, the day starts off frigid with a wind chill of -12°C in the morning. If the sun peeks out, it’ll be a rare treat for those digging out from today’s snow.
Saturday night stays cloudy with a low of -5°C.
Sunday & Monday: Chance of Snow, But Clear Skies Coming
Sunday brings a mix of sun and cloud with a 60% chance of snow and a high of +1°C. Skies will clear overnight as temperatures fall to -14°C. Monday will be sunny but cold, with a high of just -2°C and another crisp night at -14°C. So, in classic Northern Ontario fashion, spring is going to take its sweet time.
Wardrobe Recommendation: Think Arctic Explorer
If you’re headed out today or tonight, dress for cold, wind, and moisture. A waterproof winter coat, gloves, a good toque, and boots with traction are all essential—especially with icy patches expected. And if you’re staying home, make it a fuzzy-socks-and-cocoa kind of day.
Historic Weather Snapshot
Fort Frances once hit a balmy 16.0°C on March 28 back in 1946—ah, the dream. But the record low is a sharp contrast: -30.6°C in 1972. While today won’t break records either way, it serves as a perfect reminder that spring in Northwestern Ontario always keeps us guessing.
Weather Trivia: Borderline Winter Weather
Fort Frances, sitting snug on the border with Minnesota, often sees complex precipitation patterns during transitional seasons. When warmer U.S. air meets lingering Canadian cold, the result is a messy medley of snow, ice pellets, and freezing rain—just like we’re seeing today.
