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Less snow expected for Kenora and Dryden regions

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Special weather statements have now been lifted for areas including Kenora and Dryden.

Environment Canada says the anticipated storm system has moved further south.

Those regions were under special weather statements on Tuesday.

Around two centimetres of snow is now expected throughout Wednesday.

Other areas in Northwestern Ontario are expecting higher accumulations. Regions including Nestor Falls, Atikokan and Fort Frances remain under special weather statements with 10 to 15 centimetres of snow expected tonight and on Thursday, with wind gusts up to 80 kilometres an hour.

Thunder Bay regions are under winter storm warnings with up to 40 centimetres of snow expected.

If you have travel planned, be aware that you could experience winter weather conditions.

It’s recommended that you allow extra time for travel, as road conditions could be impacted.

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Dryden anything but dry over next few days

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Although Dryden residents have been mostly spoiled by unseasonably warm and dry weather this Fall, it seems the region is in for a bit of a soggy few days.

According to Environment Canada meteorologist Steve Flisfeder, the Dryden area is about to experience a “flip of the switch” in terms of precipitation.

“Fall has generally been mild, mostly on the dry side,” says Flisfeder, noting that rain activity is expected to impact the region, starting today.

“A low pressure system making its way into Ontario will bring showers and possibly even some thunderstorm activity, so very isolated thunderstorms could bring some heavy downpours.”

With that low pressure system, temperatures are expected to just crest into double-digit territory with the mercury moving into the mid-teens on Friday along with continued unstable weather and a 60 per cent chance of rain.

That will set up a weather pattern that will see the region settle into a steady series of days that will mostly remain cloudy with a chance of showers. However Flisfeder hints that Dryden could be spared over the weekend.

“The weekend right now actually looks like it could clear mostly,” says Flisfeder, noting there is a still a chance of showers. “(Rain) is definitely less likely than previously anticipated (and) then once we get to early next week, Monday, another low pressure system is making its way in for more shower possibilities.”

Along with a 40 per cent chance of showers, Monday’s high will remain in single digits, with 9 C the anticipated high.

That steady, rainy weather pattern is set to remain in the Dryden area right through Wednesday.

“The farther out we go, we are much less confident with what we are seeing,” says Flisfeder, noting the models beyond Wednesday are uncertain at this point. “That being said, it is looking like it will be on the drier side through the third week of October so those showers that we are seeing in the coming week will clear out.”

He adds that historically, the region also sees about 15 cm of total snow during the month of October but Flisfeder notes that it is uncertain whether or not Dryden will see similar numbers this year.

“It’s not to say it is definitely on the way, especially with what we’re seeing with dry conditions,” says Flisfeder about the prospect of snowfall. “But it’s something to keep a look out for as we head towards the end of October into early November.”

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More Heat Records Shattered

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For the third straight day, a new all-time high has been recorded in Canada as a dangerous and unprecedented heat wave continues to grip British Columbia and the Prairies.

The inland community of Lytton reached a high of 49.6 degrees yesterday after hitting 47.9 on Monday and 46.1 on Sunday.

Before this week, the previous all-time Canadian heat record was 45 degrees set in Saskatchewan in 1937.

Police believe more than 100 people have died in Greater Vancouver alone since the extreme heat began and residents are being urged to check on their neighbours.

The hydro company says only one-third of all homes in B-C have air conditioning.

Environment Canada says the heat will become less intense later this week but temperatures will still remain well above normal.

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Canada Sets Another All-Time Heat Record

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A historic heat wave continues to grip Western Canada with numerous new record highs being set in British Columbia and Alberta.

The village of Lytton, B.C. recorded Canada’s hottest temperature ever on Monday at nearly 48 degrees after reaching 47 degrees on Sunday.

These figures have shattered the country’s all-time heat record of 45 degrees set in two Saskatchewan communities in 1937.

The extreme heat is thanks to a dome of hot air which remains stagnant over the West and is slowly moving eastward.

Environment Canada calls the unprecedented heat dangerous with little relief overnight as temperatures barely fall below 20.

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Extreme Cold To End This Week

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The extreme cold is still blanketing the Northwest, with temperatures feeling near -40 this morning.

Much of the region remains under an extreme cold warning.

Environment Canada Meteorologist Kelly Hobelman notes that a break in the cold snap is coming after Tuesday.

“Temperatures will begin to moderate and go back towards seasonal normals towards the end of the week. Normals are around a high of -5 and lows around -16,” she explains.

She notes the cold weather that some parts of the region have had since the first weekend of the month is because of an area of high pressure.

“That is allowing extremely clear conditions and cold temperatures to remain over the area,” she notes.

Environment Canada warns you that extreme cold puts everyone at risk.

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First Major Snowfall Forecast

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Expect the first big snowfall for the region.

Environment Canada is issuing a special weather statement stretching from Ignace east to just outside Thunder Bay, west to Nipigon and Geraldton, and north to Armstrong and Fort Hope.

The snow is expected to start this morning and last into the afternoon, tapering off tomorrow morning.

The forecast calls for ten to 15 centimetres, but areas along Lake Superior could get much less.

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Weather Watches And Warnings Across Region

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Environment Canada issuing a Severe Thunderstorm Watch and Heat Warning across the region.

The Heat Warning affects most area communities including Dryden, Sioux Lookout Ignace, Ear Falls, Red Lake and Kenora.

Environment Canada says temperatures reaching 29 degrees Celsius combined with overnight lows near 18 degrees Celsius are expected for the next 2 days.

They are also reminding people to stay hydrated, stay cool and to not leave pets or people in hot cars.

There is also a Severe Thunderstorm Watch in the Red Lake and Kenora areas.

Environment Canada says conditions are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms that may be capable of producing strong wind gusts and large hail in those areas.

People are also warned to take cover immediately if threatening weather approaches.

For more details and information about regional weather, check out our Weather page by clicking HERE

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Radars Being Upgraded Across Canada

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Environment Canada is in the midst of a seven-year program to replace all of its weather radars.

Seven radars were replaced over the past year, including New Brunswick’s lone site in Chipman.

Jill Maepea, a meteorologist with the weather agency, said the state-of-the-art radars have a leading-edge technology called dual-polarization.

“This allows for the shapes of targets to be detected much more easily so we can distinguish between rain, snow, hail and freezing rain, as well as non-meteorological targets such as birds or bugs,” said Maepea.

The new radars also have an extended severe-weather detection range to cover more of Canada.

Maepea said the Doppler range will be increased to 240 kilometres from the current 120 kilometres.

“The greater range allows for a greater lead time for that severe weather,” she said. “Not only do we have more detail that severe weather could be approaching the area, we can actually see it now further approaching the area.”

Maepea said the new radars also send back images to forecasters every six minutes instead of 10.

She said this will be especially beneficial during severe weather, such as thunderstorms and tornadoes.

“It definitely helps the forecaster identify that radar signature right away and possibly issue a warning so the public can protect themselves or their family more quickly than before,” she said.

The federal government the signing of an $83-million contract to upgrade the weather-radar network in February of 2017.

All of the radars are expected to be upgraded by March of 2023.

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Severe Thunderstorm Watch Issued

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Another Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued by Environment Canada.

The notice covers the Vermilion Bay, Dryden, Sioux Lookout and Ignace area.

Conditions will be favourable for severe thunderstorms this afternoon and evening.

Damaging winds and large hail will be the main threats.

The Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management recommends that you take cover immediately if threatening weather approaches.

 

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