THUNDER BAY – November 2, 2026
Environment Canada has issued special weather statements for Thunder Bay and much of northwestern Ontario, warning of significant rainfall through Thursday that could total more than 75 millimetres in some areas.
The agency said 25 to 50 mm of rain is expected today and tonight in the City of Thunder Bay, with rain at times heavy. Statements were also in effect for Marathon and Schreiber, Nipigon and Rossport, Wawa, White River and Dubreuilville, Atikokan and Shebandowan, and Lake Superior shoreline communities including Cloud Bay and Dorion.
Precipitation is expected to ease to scattered showers by Tuesday morning before a second low-pressure system approaches late Tuesday night or Wednesday morning. Environment Canada said additional heavy rainfall is possible through Thursday, but the exact track of that system, and where the heaviest rain will fall, remains uncertain.
Water will likely pool on roads and in low-lying areas, the agency said. It added that rainfall warnings may be issued as the forecast becomes clearer. Anyone looking for information about flooding was advised to contact their local conservation authority or the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.
In Thunder Bay and Kakabeka Falls, forecasts called for 15 to 25 millimetres Monday night, with fog patches developing near midnight. Overnight lows were expected near 11 C in the city. Wet pavement and reduced visibility were listed as the main travel concerns for the evening commute.
Farther west, Fort Frances was forecast to receive 20 to 30 millimetres Monday night. Kenora, Dryden and Ignace were expected to see 10 to 15 millimetres overnight. Temperatures across the region remained well above seasonal normals for early November, with daytime highs in the low to mid teens in many communities.
No public weather alerts were listed for some of the more remote communities at the time of the initial forecasts, though rain was expected to affect areas including Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, Sandy Lake, and Pikangikum. Persistent rain was described as likely to create damp travel conditions Monday and Tuesday before cooler conditions arrive later in the week.
The system is the first significant rainfall event of the month for much of the northwest. Environment Canada noted that rainfall warnings could follow if the second system tracks as currently expected. For now, the statements focus on the potential for pooling water and the possibility of heavier totals in localized areas.
Municipalities and conservation authorities typically monitor such events for impacts on drainage systems, low-lying roads, and any residual issues from earlier fall precipitation. Thunder Bay’s waterfront and downtown areas have seen flooding concerns in past heavy rain events when storm drains are overwhelmed.
Drivers were advised to allow extra time and watch for standing water. No highway closures related to the weather were reported Monday afternoon. Highway 11/17 and other main routes through the region remained open, though conditions were expected to deteriorate overnight.
The second system arriving mid-week carries the greater uncertainty. Environment Canada said the exact track will determine where the heaviest rain falls. Until that track becomes clearer, the agency is maintaining the special statements rather than upgrading to full rainfall warnings in most locations.
Residents in communities along the Lake Superior shoreline and in the interior of the northwest were told to check local forecasts as the week progresses. The combination of mild temperatures and heavy rain is unusual for early November but not unprecedented. Similar systems in past years have produced localized flooding when totals exceed 50 mm in a short period.
For now, the immediate concern is Monday night’s rainfall across Thunder Bay and communities to the west and east. Additional heavy rain remains possible through Thursday depending on the path of the next system.
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