Get your shovels ready, another snow storm is on the way for Thunder Bay. It’s mostly cloudy this morning with a low of -5.
If you’re out on the road, you’ll want to watch out for heavy, blowing snow and wind gusting up to 60 km/h. Environment Canada says some spots could see up to 50 cm of snow with the heaviest amount hitting the Minnesota border south of the city.
It’ll feel like -15 with the wind chill, and snow isn’t expected to stop until tomorrow morning.
So far, there have been no reports of accidents, but Ontario Provincial Police are warning drivers about slippery spots and to use caution when commuting.
Rock lovers rejoice: the Lakehead University geology program is getting a major boost from a brand new $200,000 Keyence digital petrographic microscope.
A petrographic microscope (or polarizing microscope) uses polarized light to identify minerals and rocks in thin slices by analyzing their unique optical properties. The state-of-the-art microscope is one of only two available at any university in Canada.
The Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) announced the donation Tuesday. The NWMO has been working with Lakehead’s geology program for over seven years.
“This is a really cool piece of equipment,” said Alec Blythe, Manager of Geoscience Research and Development at the NWMO. “It’s got an elemental analyzer built into it, so it goes down just a fraction of a millimeter and it vaporizes that rock and can tell you the main ion chemistry of that sample.”
“It’s amazing to be able to do that on a very, very fine scale.”
Blythe said the NWMO chose to donate this equipment to Lakehead in large part because of the work of Dr. Shannon Zurevinski, Lakehead Associate Professor of Geology.
Dr. Shannon Zurevinski stands by geology samples at Lakehead University (Jacob Henriksen-Willis, February 17 2026)
“There’s no strings attached,” Blythe said. “Shannon does with it as she pleases.”
Zurevinski says the new equipment will allow for vital research about the unique geology of northwestern Ontario.
“We have a lot of collaboration with industry and government at Lakehead in the geology program,” Zurevinski said. “These kinds of tools just add to the wealth of the collaboration.”
She said three Lakehead students — one honours, one masters and one postdoctoral — are already using the machine for their thesis projects.
“Students will be able to analyze their samples, and instead of just a basic imaging that can be done with a microscope, they’ll be able to perform elemental analysis on those minerals. That will provide them with some semi-quantitative measurements on their samples,” she said.
The honours student is working on a lithium exploration project analyzing concentrations of lithium across different grains. The masters’ student is working on a mineralogical-based assessment using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS). The postdoctoral student is investigating grain boundaries between the minerals on highly metamorphic rocks around Thunder Bay.
Geologists aren’t the only students who will benefit from the microscope, as Zurevinski says it will be used in the biology and engineering programs as well.
Thunder Bay’s Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC) is hosting two online workshops for local businesses looking to get into the defence sector.
As Canada amps up its defence procurement initiatives, the workshops will focus in on how businesses can benefit from involving themselves in Canada’s new defence strategy, and exactly what sort of opportunities are available.
“We are actively exploring opportunities that position Thunder Bay companies to benefit from Canada’s growing defence sector,” said Jamie Taylor, CEO of the Thunder Bay CEDC. “Through strategic investment, collaboration, and business support, our goal is to strengthen the local economy and create long-term opportunities for our community.”
There two information sessions are:
February 18 at 8:30 AM: ITB Policy — Learn how the Industrial and Technological Benefits policy can help your business access international supply chains. Register here.
March 11 at 8:30 AM: Resources and Tools for Understanding the Defence Sector — Discover what Canada is purchasing for defence, identify key contractors, and access essential resources. Register here.
The CEDC encourages business owners, entrepreneurs, and anyone interested in learning more about opportunities in Canada’s defence sector to join these sessions.
Two men are being charged with drug trafficking after an investigation by the Thunder Bay police.
During a search of a home on Syndicate Avenue on Tuesday, police found suspected cocaine and fentanyl, as well as over $5,000 in cash.
A 20 year old from Toronto and a 65 year old from Thunder Bay are now in police custody as they wait to face the courts.
They are charged with the following:
• Possession of a Schedule 1 substance for the purpose of trafficking – cocaine • Possession of a Schedule 1 substance for the purpose of trafficking – opioid • Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime over $5,000 • Obstruction of a peace officer
Residents are invited to complete a survey and share their thoughts on the recent structural changes to Thunder Bay City Council.
In July, City Council replaced the Committee of the Whole with three smaller Standing Committees: Finance & Administration, Quality of Life, and Growth.
The goal was to streamline meetings and discuss issues in greater detail within specific focus areas. City Council continues to have the final debate and vote on all decisions.
“Governance models aren’t something most residents think about day to day, but they play an important role in how effectively Council does its work,” said City Clerk Krista Power. “The Standing Committee structure allows Council members to spend more time on specific subject areas, to help organize discussions more clearly, and to support more efficient meetings overall.”
Public feedback previously helped inform the recommendations that led to the new structure. Now that it has been in place for several months, the city is seeking input on how the new structure is working, whether it feels clear and understandable and how it could be improved.
The survey is available at www.thunderbay.ca/getinvolved. The city says feedback is welcome from all residents, whether they follow Council meetings regularly or only occasionally.
Calling all brainiacs: the Thunder Bay Science Festival is back.
The week-long, family-friendly event celebrates all things science, technology, engineering and math. It’s hosted by Science North, an agency of the government of Ontario and registered charity.
It will run from Monday, February 16 through Saturday, February 21.
This year’s rendition will feature a special Research and Innovation Area with hands-on activities and demonstrations from Lakehead University.
“The Science Festival is a fantastic opportunity for Lakehead University to bring our research into the community, sparking curiosity in the next generation,” said Dr. Langis Roy, Vice-President Research and Innovation at Lakehead University. “We look forward to welcoming families with fun, hands-on activities to showcase the incredible work happening at Lakehead University.”
Fan-favorite events like SNOWday on the Waterfront at Marina Park, the Science Carnival at the Intercity Shopping Centre, and the 19+ Nerd Nite at Sleeping Giant Brewery will all be returning.
“The Thunder Bay Science Festival is a powerful example of what’s possible when a community comes together around curiosity and learning,” said Ashley Larose, CEO of Science North. “For Thunder Bay and the surrounding region, opportunities like this help make science accessible, relevant, and inspiring close to home. Science North is proud to support science engagement across Northern Ontario, and we’re grateful to the community partners whose collaboration, leadership, and local knowledge make this festival meaningful and impactful year after year.”
The City of Thunder Bay is hosting an Election Information Night for those curious about municipal politics.
Potential leaders and interested community members are invited to the free, in-person event at 6:00 pm on February 25. It will be held at the 55 Plus Centre on River St.
“Municipal elections shape the decisions that affect our community every day, and they work best when people feel informed and included,” said Krista Power, City Clerk and Returning Officer for the 2026 Municipal Election. “Getting involved shouldn’t feel intimidating, and we are trying to make the election process, and the idea of running for office as accessible as possible.”
The evening will begin with a short, high-level presentation followed by an open opportunity to speak with city staff.
“Whether you’ve ever wondered what it takes to run for office, are interested in working on election day, or just want to better understand how voting works, this session is about increasing your understanding of how cities and their council’s function,” said Crystal DePeuter, Election Coordinator.
The city expects this to be the only in-person information session ahead of October’s municipal election.
