A Cross-Province Journey Through Deep Winter Conditions
Travelling from Toronto to Kenora? A winter storm will make Highway 401, 11, and 17 hazardous by Wednesday night. Get the latest highway weather outlook
Remember your “Best Friend” for highway travel updates is 511ON.ca. With the forecast including a major winter storm for Toronto and a winter weather advisory for Sudbury, chances are travel will be impacted through the rest of the week.
If you’re planning a drive from Toronto to Kenora, buckle up—winter is making itself known along the entire route. With a major winter storm set to hit Ontario midweek, travel conditions will range from cold but manageable in the east to dangerous and potentially impassable in parts of Northern Ontario by Wednesday night into Thursday.
Here’s what to expect along Highways 401, 11, and 17, including major cities and towns on the route.
Toronto to Sudbury (Highway 401 & Highway 400/69)
Current Conditions:
Toronto starts the journey cold but relatively clear, sitting at -11°C this morning with partly cloudy skies. The roads are dry for now, but a special weather statement is in effect for a significant winter storm arriving Wednesday evening.
- Tuesday: Mostly cloudy with a few flurries possible in the evening. Roads remain clear, but watch for icy patches overnight as temperatures drop to -7°C.
- Wednesday: The first half of the day should be driveable, but snow starts late afternoon, intensifying into the night. Expect reduced visibility and accumulating snow.
- Thursday: Hazardous travel conditions. Heavy snow, potential freezing rain, and gusty winds will make the highway slippery and dangerous.
Sudbury Outlook:
Sudbury is waking up to a deep freeze at -18°C, but today and Wednesday morning are relatively quiet. However, the storm arrives Wednesday night, bringing 20-40 cm of snow and blowing snow reducing visibility on Highway 69/400. Travel will be extremely difficult by Wednesday night into Thursday.
- Best Travel Window: Before Wednesday afternoon. After that, expect delays or possible road closures.
Sudbury to Thunder Bay (Highway 17 – Trans-Canada Highway)
Current Conditions:
Northern Ontario remains locked in a deep freeze, with morning wind chills between -30°C and -40°C in many areas. Roads are icy but clear today, though conditions will deteriorate significantly midweek.
- Tuesday: Cold but clear along Highway 17, with light flurries possible near Wawa and White River.
- Wednesday: Snow begins late afternoon near Sault Ste. Marie and Wawa, moving northeast toward Geraldton and Thunder Bay overnight.
- Thursday: Dangerous driving conditions expected from Sault Ste. Marie to Thunder Bay due to snowfall, blowing snow, and icy roads.
Regional Outlooks:
- Sault Ste. Marie: Currently -23°C with clear skies, but snow begins Wednesday afternoon, worsening overnight. Thursday will see steady snow and strong winds, making Highway 17 treacherous.
- Wawa & White River: Already bitterly cold with wind chills below -35°C. Snow will reduce visibility by Wednesday night.
- Geraldton: Currently -26°C with wind chills of -37°C. Bitterly cold but clear for now, with light flurries Wednesday and heavier snow Thursday.
- Thunder Bay: A brutally cold start at -30°C, with a slight improvement midweek before another round of flurries by Thursday night.
- Best Travel Window: Today through early Wednesday. After that, Highway 17 will become snow-covered, icy, and hazardous, especially near Lake Superior, where winds will create whiteout conditions.
Thunder Bay to Kenora (Highway 17 & Highway 11 Junction)
Current Conditions:
- Thunder Bay to Dryden & Vermilion Bay: Extreme cold dominates today, with wind chills of -35°C to -40°C. Conditions remain clear and dry today and Wednesday morning, but snow moves in late Wednesday.
- Dryden & Vermilion Bay: -26°C this morning with wind chills near -36°C. A cold but dry stretch of Highway 17 today, but flurries arrive late Wednesday.
- Kenora: Currently -29°C with light snow. Highway 17 is clear today but will become snow-covered Wednesday night into Thursday.
Forecast for Highway 17 (Thunder Bay to Kenora):
- Tuesday: Icy but mostly clear; a good travel day despite the extreme cold.
- Wednesday: Flurries developing late afternoon, worsening into the night.
- Thursday: Snow-covered highways with reduced visibility, icy conditions, and a frostbite risk for stranded motorists.
- Best Travel Window: Tuesday through early Wednesday. Expect worsening conditions Wednesday night into Thursday, making travel hazardous.
Final Travel Recommendations:
🚗 Best Window for Safe Travel: Today (Tuesday) and early Wednesday before the storm hits.
⚠️ High-Risk Travel Times: Wednesday night into Thursday, especially from Sudbury to Kenora.
❄️ Highways to Watch:
- Highway 400/69 (Toronto to Sudbury): Heavy snowfall & freezing rain Wednesday night into Thursday.
- Highway 17 (Sudbury to Thunder Bay): Snow-covered & low visibility from Wednesday evening onward.
- Highway 17 (Thunder Bay to Kenora): Hazardous conditions expected Thursday with blowing snow and poor road conditions.
❗ If traveling Wednesday evening or Thursday, expect significant delays, dangerous conditions, and possible road closures.
Emergency Travel Kit Essentials:
- Extra warm clothing, blankets
- Food & water supply
- Fully charged phone & power bank
- Flashlight, shovel, and booster cables
If possible, delay non-essential travel until Friday, when conditions are expected to improve. Stay safe, and drive with extreme caution!
