THUNDER BAY — A harsh winter has gripped Thunder Bay and surrounding areas, bringing exceptionally low temperatures and minimal snow coverage, severely impacting local snowmobiling activities.
Today’s weather report shows conditions ranging from sunny to partly cloudy, but with downright frigid highs hovering at or below minus 20 degrees Celsius. Locations such as Nipigon are expected to reach highs of minus 20 with wind chill factors causing temperatures to feel as low as minus 43, making frostbite possible within mere minutes. According to local forecasts, the UV index remains at very low levels, registering only one, indicating little risk from sun exposure.
Marathon, Terrace Bay, and Hornepayne share similar weather patterns, with temperatures expected to peak around minus 18 to minus 24. Residents are bracing for gusts of wind up to 15 km/h, compounding the chill. Meanwhile, Geraldton and White River will see comparable conditions, contributing to the rare mix of sun and bitterly cold temperatures.
Despite these severe conditions, the Thunder Bay Adventure Trails Snowmobile Club remains optimistic about the snowmobiling season. President Adrian Tessier highlights the disappointment felt by local snowmobilers as they await sufficient snowfall to open trails. “We’re snowmobilers ourselves, so we want to get out on the trails and do some riding and so the hope is...,” said Tessier.
This year, the club is experiencing notable challenges. With only about 3 to 4 inches of snow across many trails, which is significantly less than the 18 inches typically needed for optimal grooming, those passionate about the sport are stymied. “Typically, we start full grooming... but without lots of snow during the time, we are likely ’a month behind right now,’” noted Tessier.
Trails primarily located on logging roads are expected to be managed soon, but the wilderness trails remain nearly untouched. Tessier explained, “Right here, you can see we’ve got probably 3 or 4 inches of snow... but out toward Shabaqua, there might be 6 or 8 inches of snow and everything in between.” This minimal snow has put around 70 to 80 kilometers of trails open within the local Shabaqua and Shebandowan areas, rather than the nearly 400 kilometers the club typically maintains.
Further complicate the matter, Tessier noted current weather forecasts bring little hope for immediate improvement: “I was looking at the forecast this morning and there’s nothing... for any appreciable amounts of snow, like 1 or 2 centimetres. That’s nothing.”
Snowmobiling permits have still been selling, where around 200 permits, typical for the time of year, have been sold. Many snowmobilers delayed purchasing their permits anticipating more substantial snowfall, as the club has seen happens during typical years. “People were waiting... and as soon as it started to snow, then they were buying permits,” he reported.
With the cold snap continuing, trails remain closed for grooming until conditions improve. “Without snow, we can’t make trails and...we’re doing our best to get everything going,” stated Tessier, representing the sentiment of many local enthusiasts eager for the snowmobiling season to get underway.
With limited trail access and treacherous temperatures putting snowmobilers at risk, community members are advised to partake cautiously. Activities like attending local council meetings and trivia nights are recommended instead, with local gas prices reported at $1.32, providing some engagement opportunities for residents who prefer to stay warm.
Overall, the region is left to endure these bitter temperatures and lack of snow, awaiting relief and hoping for snowfall to restore snowmobiling opportunities across Thunder Bay and surrounding areas.