A Bit of Everything This Week—From Sun to Flurries and Even a Dash of Freezing Rain
DRYDEN – WEATHER – It’s one of those classic Northwestern Ontario mornings where spring is on the schedule, but winter insists on an encore. At 5:00 AM CDT, it’s -3.6°C in Dryden, with a wind chill of -7 thanks to a light south wind blowing at 9 km/h. The skies are mainly clear, offering a picturesque—if brisk—start to the day. Humidity sits at 84%, and the barometric pressure is at 102.0 kPa, holding steady for now. Visibility is good at 16 km, giving folks across Dryden, Vermilion Bay, and Wabigoon a crisp and clear view to start the morning.
Today: Cold Start, Sunny Finish
Despite the chilly early hours, the sun is rolling out in full force today. Look for skies to stay sunny as the wind picks up from the southeast later this morning, climbing to 20 km/h. Temperatures will rise to a high of 8°C this afternoon, though the day starts with a sharp wind chill of -14°C—layers are your friend! The UV index hits a moderate 5, so even though you’ll be bundled up, don’t skip the sunscreen if you’re heading outdoors.
Tonight: Clouds Return and a Weather Roulette Spin
Things start to get interesting tonight as increasing cloud cover brings a 40% chance of rain showers or flurries overnight, with a twist—there’s a risk of freezing rain in the mix. Winds will calm down as evening sets in, shifting from southeast 20 km/h to light by late night. The overnight low will hover around 0°C, creating ideal conditions for slippery surprises. A good night to keep the ice scraper handy and park under cover if you can.
Thursday and Friday: Cold, Cloudy, and a Mixed Bag of Precipitation
Thursday won’t offer much in the way of improvement—expect cloudy skies with a 60% chance of rain showers or flurries throughout the day and a high of just 5°C. The UV index lowers slightly to 3. By Thursday night, the forecast shifts to a more solid chance of rain or snow, and temperatures fall to -1°C.
Friday looks to stay cloudy with a 40% chance of flurries or scattered showers and a high of only +1°C. The night will bring clearing skies and a significant drop to -9°C—definitely a night for electric blankets and thick socks.
Weekend Warm-Up on the Way
Saturday finally brings a break in the cloud cover with full sunshine and a high of 7°C. Sunday really turns up the spring vibes with a high of 14°C and continued sunny skies. Just in time for a weekend hike or some early season yard work—if you’re feeling brave.
Historic Weather Notes: April 16 in Dryden
On this day in history, Dryden has recorded a high of 21.4°C and a record low of -17.8°C. Today’s early morning chill is on the colder side of average, but Drydenites are a hardy bunch—this is practically patio weather.
What to Wear
This morning’s deep chill demands winter layers—think thermal base, insulated jacket, and gloves. By afternoon, you might swap out for a lighter coat, but tonight’s risk of freezing rain calls for boots with grip and a solid umbrella defense plan. Friday might be the last true taste of winter—so plan accordingly.
Did You Know?
The Dryden area sits right on the edge of the boreal forest, which means weather patterns here can shift dramatically thanks to the collision of prairie and forest climates. One minute it’s spring, the next—it’s snow globe time.
