Storm Tracker

The storm has passed.

Eight new fires were reported across the region on Wednesday by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.

There are currently 60 active fires in the district. 27 fires are not under control, four are being observed, 10 fires are being held and 19 fires are under control.

The forest fire hazard across the region ranges from low to extreme.

Kenora Fire 27, north of Kenora, is listed as under control at 4480 hectares.

The other fires of note are in the Thunder Bay and Nipigon districts.

The storm has passed.

Environment Canada has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for Kenora, Grassy Narrows, Whitedog, Sioux Narrows, Nestor Falls, Morson, Dryden, Vermilion Bay, Ignace, English River, Sioux Lookout, Eastern Lac Seul and the surrounding communities.

Conditions are favourable for the development of scattered strong thunderstorms later this afternoon and early this evening. Some of these thunderstorms may become severe with wind gusts up to 100 km/h, locally heavy downpours, and hail size of 2 to 3 cm.

Kenora residents were treated to a very powerful thunderstorm over the weekend that brought strong wind gusts and heavy rain to the area.

The thunderstorm flew across the prairies at speeds up to 75km/hr and even causing tornado-like weather in some parts of the prairies.

Environment Canada Warning Preparedness Meteorologist Gerald Cheng was following the storm closely over the weekend.

Environment Canada has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the region.

Meteroglists with the agency say conditions are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms that may be capable of producing strong wind gusts, large hail and heavy rain.

Stay hydrated, stay in cool places, and don't leave pets or people in parked vehicles.

That's the message from Environment Canada, as the agency issued a heat warning for all of northwestern Ontario.

Daytime temperatures will reach the mid-thirties this weekend, with overnight lows near 18, offering little relief from the heat.

Sunday night will offer a reprieve from the heat, but meteorologists say the extreme heat may return for the early part of next week.

On Friday, Kenora broke a 33-year-old heat record. 

The storm has passed.

Environment Canada meteorologists are tracking a line of severe thunderstorms capable of producing very strong wind gusts and pea to dime size hail.

Thunderstorms over Manitoba are moving east at 75 km/h towards the Lake of the Woods area.

A heat record set back in the summer of 1988 has been broken.

Before today, the highest temperature recorded in Kenora on June 4 was 32.4 C set back in 1988.

Around 5 p.m. this afternoon, the temperature in Kenora reached 35.8 C setting a new record.

The Kenora area could break another heat record on Saturday. The heat record for June 5 is 33.1 C, the forecasted high for tomorrow is 32 C.

Earlier today, Environment Canada issued a special weather statement for Kenora as the region grapples with the first heat event of the season.

A hot sunny day combined with a warm overnight low has prompted Environment Canada to issue a special weather statement for Kenora, Grassy Narrows, Whitedog, Dryden, Vermilion Bay and the surrounding communities.

The special weather statement comes as the region experiences our first heat event of the season. Residents are reminded to stay hydrated and avoid excessive work during the hottest part of the day.

Below are some tips for dealing with hot weather:

The storm has passed. The severe thunderstorm watch is over

-- Original Story --

Environment Canada has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for Dryden, Vermilion Bay, Ignace, English River, Savant Lake, Sturgeon Lake, Sioux Lookout, Eastern Lac Seul and the surrounding communities.

Environment Canada says scattered thunderstorms are expected to develop this afternoon and this evening. There is uncertainty as to how widespread these storms will be.