On Jan. 8, 2026, Environment Canada issued a Special Weather Statement for Mattawa, Ont., warning of a wintry mix with total rainfall amounts of 15 to 25 mm and a brief surge in daytime temperatures into the +C range before a sharp freeze later in the weekend. The agency’s local forecast showed highs near +7°C with rain beginning the night of Jan. 8 and a transition back to below‑freezing conditions by Saturday.
Experts say that sudden rain and mild weather can infiltrate snowpack and ice, producing so‑called ‘honeycomb’ or rotten ice — ice that can look deceptively thick but is structurally weak. The North Bay‑Mattawa Conservation Authority (NBMCA) has issued watershed‑level guidance about deteriorating ice and runoff risks and urges residents to keep children and pets away from shorelines and watercourses while conditions are unstable.
Snowmobile trail status is changing rapidly this week; riders and operators should check the OFSC Interactive Trail Guide (https://ofsc.evtrails.com/) for current conditions in OFSC District 11 (Near North Trail Association). Past January thaws have forced multi‑week trail suspensions in the region, and local outfitters such as Mattawa Adventure Camp and Big Moose Camp rely on solid ice for their ice‑fishing huts and winter operations — warm spells can prompt cancellations or altered operations.
The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry reminds the public that new ice formed after a freeze is generally stronger than older, rain‑soaked ice, but no ice is completely safe. Residents planning ice fishing, snowmobiling or skating should check local ice reports, follow guidance from NBMCA and the OFSC, and take precautions until conditions stabilize.
