Snowfall Warning in Effect – Hazardous Travel Conditions Persist
Kenora remains under a Snowfall Warning with up to 25 cm of snow possible. Bitter cold follows this weekend with frostbite risks. Travel remains hazardous.
Kenora and the Lake of the Woods region remain under a Snowfall Warning this morning as a winter storm continues to deliver significant snowfall and reduced visibility. Snowfall totals of 15 cm are expected, with some areas—especially higher elevations—possibly seeing up to 25 cm. If you’re heading out, be prepared for difficult travel conditions, as accumulating snow and blowing snow will make roads slick and visibility poor.
All Red Lake, Ear Falls, Dryden, Vermilion Bay, Sioux Lookout, Ignace, and Upsala buses will be cancelled on Friday, February 28 due to inclement weather and road conditions.
KN19 will be cancelled on Friday, February 28, 2025 due to driver shortage.
Current Conditions in Kenora (as of 6:00 AM CST):
- Temperature: -7°C, but feeling like -15°C with the wind chill.
- Wind: Blowing from the north at 25 km/h, gusting to 41 km/h, contributing to drifting snow.
- Humidity: 88%, adding to the damp, raw chill.
- Pressure: 99.4 kPa and rising—indicating the system will gradually move out.
- Visibility: 5 km, but significantly reduced in heavier snowfall.
Today’s Forecast: Snow Tapers Off, Cold Air Moves In
Snowfall, heavy at times this morning, will gradually taper to light flurries before clearing this afternoon. Expect an additional 2 cm of snow, but with winds increasing from the northwest at 30 km/h, gusting to 50 km/h, blowing snow will remain an issue. The temperature will fall to -11°C by the afternoon, with a wind chill of -18°C, making it feel much colder.
Tonight’s Forecast: Bitter Cold with Frostbite Risk
Skies will clear overnight, but don’t let that fool you—temperatures will plummet to -21°C, with a wind chill of -28°C. The risk of frostbite is high, so limit time outdoors and dress in layers if you need to be outside.
Weekend Outlook: Deep Freeze Before a Warm-Up
- Saturday, March 1: A sunny but extremely cold day, with a high of -9°C. Morning wind chills will be a brutal -28°C, warming only slightly to -14°C in the afternoon. Frostbite can occur in minutes.
- Saturday Night: Clear and cold, with a low of -15°C.
- Sunday, March 2: A mix of sun and cloud with a high of -3°C—a noticeable improvement!
- Monday, March 3: Sunny skies and a springlike high of +5°C! Could winter finally be loosening its grip?
What to Wear:
Bundle up! A thick insulated coat, gloves, hat, and scarf are essential today, especially with strong winds creating bitter wind chills. If you’re heading out tonight or early Saturday, cover all exposed skin—frostbite can set in within minutes.
Weather Trivia:
Did you know? The coldest temperature ever recorded in Kenora was -43.3°C on January 20, 1943. While we’re not seeing those extreme lows this week, -28°C wind chills are nothing to take lightly!
Bottom Line:
Expect heavy morning snowfall, poor travel conditions, and biting wind chills today. Cold temperatures stick around for the weekend, but there’s hope—a significant warm-up to +5°C arrives on Monday! Until then, stay warm, drive carefully, and keep the hot coffee flowing.
