Special Air Quality Statement in Effect for the City of Thunder Bay
Warm Temperatures, Wildfire Smoke, and a Breezy Weekend Ahead
Thunder Bay, ON – Friday, May 30, 2025: It’s shaping up to be a beautiful late-spring day across Thunder Bay, but before you lace up those hiking boots or dust off the backyard grill, take note—a Special Air Quality Statement remains in effect due to lingering wildfire smoke.
As of 7:00 AM EDT, conditions are partly cloudy with a warm start at 17.2°C. The humidity is sitting at 54%, and the barometric pressure is 100.6 kPa, falling steadily. Winds have picked up from the west-northwest at 16 km/h, and visibility has dropped to 16 km thanks to smoke in the air.
Health officials are urging caution—particularly for vulnerable groups—due to reduced air quality expected to persist through the day, though improvement is expected by tonight.
Play Ball!
The Thunder Bay Border Cats are playing tonight at Port Arthur Stadium. The Border Cats and Honkers continue their four-game series Friday night with first pitch scheduled for 7:35 p.m. ET. It’s “Flyaway Friday,” where one lucky fan will win two tickets for anywhere Porter Airlines flies. There’s also fireworks following the game.
Friday Forecast: Sunshine Tries to Cut Through the Smoke
Expect a mix of sun and cloud early with a slight 30% chance of a passing shower, followed by clearing skies and sunshine dominating the afternoon. However, local smoke will linger and could lead to symptoms like eye and throat irritation or coughing.
Winds will shift north at 20 km/h, gusting up to 40 km/h, offering some ventilation but not enough to fully flush out the haze until later. Temperatures will rise to a pleasant high of 23°C, and the UV index is 7—classified as high, so sunscreen remains essential.
Tonight: Skies Clear and the Smoke Begins to Move Out
As the evening settles in, winds will ease and turn light, and conditions will become clear. Temperatures will dip to a cool low of 5°C, making it a good night to air out the house—just maybe wait until the smoke lifts.
Weekend Outlook: Mostly Sunny with Some Clouds Creeping In
Saturday will bring sunshine in the morning with clouds increasing in the afternoon. There’s no major precipitation expected, and the temperature will rise to 21°C, perfect for outdoor plans—as long as the air clears up. The UV index climbs to 8, so lather up if you’ll be outdoors.
Saturday night remains clear with a low of 5°C, followed by sunny skies on Sunday and a slightly warmer high of 22°C. Sunday night looks just as promising, with another clear sky and a low of 7°C.
What to Wear?
Layer light! With a warm daytime high and cool overnight temperatures, a light jacket or hoodie will serve you well in the morning and evening. Keep sunglasses and sunblock handy, and consider limiting strenuous outdoor activities while smoke lingers. If you’re sensitive to air quality, wearing a well-fitted N95 mask outdoors is a smart move.
Thunder Bay Trivia: A City Built on Wind and Water
Did you know that Thunder Bay gets its name from the bay on Lake Superior that was historically known as “Baie du Tonnerre”? It translates from French as “Bay of Thunder”—a nod to the dramatic weather that rolls in from the lake. Thankfully, no thunder today—just a reminder of how nature always keeps us on our toes!
