Weather in a Nutshell
Red Lake and Ear Falls weather: Snowstorm warning in effect with 15-20 cm of snow and blowing snow through Friday. Arctic chill follows with lows of -34°C this weekend.
Snowstorm Set to Blanket Red Lake and Ear Falls
Red Lake and Ear Falls are under a Snowfall Warning, with significant snowfall expected to create hazardous travel conditions tonight into Friday morning. As of 7:00 AM CST, the temperature at Red Lake Airport is -7°C under light snow. Northwest winds are blowing at 17 km/h, gusting to 30 km/h, creating a wind chill of -14°C. Visibility remains good for now at 24 km, but the barometric pressure, currently at 101.3 kPa and rising, hints at the approaching weather system.
The main story is the incoming Alberta clipper, which will sweep across the region tonight, delivering 15 to 20 cm of snow, with peak snowfall rates of 2 to 4 cm per hour. Strong northerly winds gusting up to 60 km/h on Friday will further complicate matters, leading to blowing snow and reduced visibility.
Thursday, January 16: Cloudy With Flurries Before the Storm
Today will remain cloudy, with a 40% chance of flurries and some local blowing snow lingering this morning. Northwest winds will stay brisk at 20 km/h, gusting to 40 km/h, before becoming light early this afternoon. The high temperature will reach -4°C, but wind chills will make it feel closer to -14°C this morning and -8°C by afternoon.
Tonight, the snowstorm arrives. Snow will begin in the evening, quickly intensifying with accumulations of 10 to 15 cm overnight. Winds will shift to the southeast at 20 km/h, gusting to 40 km/h, adding a wind chill factor of -13°C. Roads and walkways will become treacherous, so avoid unnecessary travel if possible.
Friday, January 17: Snow, Wind, and Plunging Temperatures
Friday will bring continued snow through the morning, with an additional 5 cm expected before tapering to flurries by the afternoon. Northerly winds will pick up to 30 km/h, gusting to 50 km/h, creating blowing snow and reduced visibility. The temperature will fall steadily throughout the day, dropping to -14°C by the afternoon. Combined with the gusty winds, the wind chill will be a biting -23°C by midday.
Friday night will see cloudy periods and a lingering 40% chance of flurries. The temperature will plummet to a frigid -26°C, setting the stage for a bitterly cold weekend.
Saturday, January 18, and Beyond: Arctic Deep Freeze
Saturday will bring sunshine, but the cold will be relentless. The high temperature will reach only -24°C, with an overnight low plunging to -34°C under clear skies.
Sunday will be more of the same, with sunny skies and daytime highs of -28°C, followed by another brutal low of -35°C overnight. Frostbite risks will be exceptionally high this weekend, so minimize outdoor exposure and keep warm.
Historic Highs and Lows
For January 16, Red Lake’s record high was 5.0°C, recorded in 1981. By stark contrast, the record low for this date was an icy -42.0°C in 1972. While this weekend’s forecast lows of -34°C to -35°C won’t break records, they will remind everyone of just how extreme winters can be in Northwestern Ontario.
Travel Advisory
The snowfall and strong winds will create dangerous travel conditions tonight and into Friday. Roads will be snow-covered and slippery, and visibility could drop to near zero in heavy snow and blowing snow. If you must travel, ensure your vehicle is winter-ready and carry an emergency kit with essentials like food, water, blankets, and a flashlight.
What to Wear
The wind chills today and tonight of -13°C to -14°C mean you’ll need your full winter arsenal: a warm coat, insulated boots, gloves, and a scarf. Friday’s plunging temperatures and wind chills of -23°C will require thermal layers and windproof clothing. For Saturday and Sunday’s Arctic deep freeze, heavy-duty winter gear is a must—think thermal underwear, a balaclava, and mittens over gloves to protect against frostbite.
Fun Weather Trivia
Did you know Red Lake’s Woodland Caribou Park gets its name from the majestic caribou that roam the region? These animals are perfectly adapted to withstand the harsh winter weather, with their thick fur and large hooves designed for walking on snow. While humans can’t grow a fur coat, bundling up this weekend will be the next best thing!
