Snow Moves In as Temperatures Begin to Rise

Snow is moving into Kenora & Lake of the Woods, with 5-7 cm expected. Wind chills of -31°C today will improve slightly, but freezing drizzle may make roads slippery

Winter holds a firm grip on Kenora and the Lake of the Woods region, with snow and gusty winds making for a blustery weekend. While the deep freeze eases slightly, bouts of snowfall and freezing drizzle will keep things slippery. If you’re heading out, be prepared for reduced visibility, cold wind chills, and accumulating snow.

With Winter Storm Warnings in effect for Mine Centre and Seine River along with Thunder Bay and points east along Lake Superior, travel on Highway 17 and Highway 11 are likely to be impacted. Be prepared for closed highways, and winter driving conditions.

Current Conditions (6:00 AM CST, Feb 1, 2025)

At Kenora Airport, the temperature is a frosty -20.9°C, with an east-southeast wind at 17 km/h, gusting to 27 km/h. That wind is packing a punch, making it feel like -31°C. The humidity sits at 72%, and barometric pressure is at 102.7 kPa and falling, signaling the approaching system.

Visibility is an impressive 32 km, but expect it to drop as snow moves in this morning.

Saturday’s Forecast: Snow & Gusty Winds

The day will remain cloudy, with snow beginning this morning and accumulating up to 5 cm. Winds will pick up, becoming southeast at 20 km/h, gusting to 40 km/h, leading to blowing snow and reduced visibility at times.

Temperatures will rise to -10°C, but with the wind chill, it will feel like a bitter -29°C this morning before improving to -18°C in the afternoon. Frostbite is still a concern, so dress warmly and cover exposed skin.

Tonight: More Snow & Rising Temperatures

The snow will continue through the night, though it will be lighter, with an additional 2 cm of accumulation. Winds will ease after midnight, and temperatures will rise to -7°C by morning.

The wind chill will be **-18°C in the evening and improve to -11°C overnight, a small relief from the bitter morning cold.

Sunday, February 2: A Messy Mix of Flurries & Freezing Drizzle

Sunday will bring cloudy skies with a 60% chance of flurries or freezing drizzle—a slippery combination that could make for slick roads and sidewalks. The west wind will pick up to 30 km/h, gusting to 50 km/h, which means blowing snow and dropping temperatures later in the day.

The high will reach -4°C, but don’t let that fool you. The wind chill will still make it feel like **-10°C in the morning and -20°C in the afternoon.

Sunday night will remain cloudy with a 60% chance of flurries, as temperatures plummet back to -21°C.

Monday, February 3: Back to the Deep Freeze

Monday looks mostly cloudy with a high of -17°C, while Monday night will see continued cloud cover and a low of -25°C. If you thought we were done with the bitter cold, think again!

Winter Wardrobe Advisory

With wind chills hitting -31°C this morning and -20°C by Sunday afternoon, full winter gear is necessary. That means insulated jackets, thermal layers, hats, gloves, and waterproof boots. If you’re out shoveling snow, be mindful of changing conditions, as freezing drizzle on Sunday could turn sidewalks and driveways into skating rinks.

Fun Fact: Kenora’s Snowiest February

Did you know the snowiest February on record for Kenora was in 1979, when a whopping 79.2 cm of snow fell throughout the month? While this weekend’s snowfall won’t break records, it’s still a good reminder that winter isn’t done with us yet!

Stay safe, drive cautiously, and enjoy the snowy scenery—preferably with a hot coffee in hand!