THUNDER BAY – If you thought spring was in full force and summer not far away, think again. Starting with cool, but actually seasonable weather on the weekend, the region is now facing a freezing rain warning. Unsettled weather is headed to Northwestern Ontario.
Environment Canada states, “A disturbance from Idaho is expected to reach Montana later today then move into North Dakota tonight. A band of significant freezing rain mixed with some ice pellets is expected to spread across Northwestern Ontario beginning after midnight in western sections then spreading east into remaining districts by Tuesday morning”.
Several hours of freezing rain and ice pellets are quite possible. Temperatures will likely be fairly close to the freezing mark, thus there is some uncertainty regarding the type of precipitation.
The latest indications suggest though that the mercury will remain above the freezing mark in the Kenora and Lake of The Woods area as well as in the Fort Frances – Rainy Lake region. Hence precipitation there should be all in the form of rain, with even a small possibility of a brief thunderstorm working its way in from Manitoba or Northwestern Minnesota.
Motorists should be prepared for deteriorating driving conditions by Tuesday morning. Untreated surfaces may become icy.
Freezing rain warnings may be issued later today for a large part of Northern Ontario.