NetNewsLedger Weather Desk – Dryden & Vermilion Bay Weather Update

Thunder Bay – WEATHER DESK – It’s a cold December start to Friday across Dryden and Vermilion Bay, with fresh snow, low visibility and a deep freeze settling in behind a passing system. At 5:00 AM CST, conditions at Dryden Airport were light snow and –12.5°C, feeling closer to –18°C with a southwest wind at 9 km/h.

Humidity is a very moist 87 percent, with a dew point of –14.2°C, and visibility is reduced to about 1.6 kilometres in the snow. The barometric pressure sits at 101.5 kPa, pointing to colder, more stable air moving in behind the morning snowfall.

Snow Tapering, Wind Picking Up, and Temperatures Falling

Through this morning, periods of snow will continue before ending late this morning, leaving behind cloudy skies with a 40 percent chance of flurries for the rest of the day.

Local snowfall amounts of 2 to 4 centimetres are expected, enough to coat highways, side streets and driveways in a fresh, slippery layer on top of older packed snow and ice.

The wind is going to be a key player. Northwest winds will increase to 20 km/h, gusting to 40 km/h early this morning, pushing more cold air into the region. The daytime high will reach only about –14°C, and with the wind, the wind chill will sit near –21°C this morning and drop toward –30°C this afternoon.

That puts conditions firmly in frostbite-risk territory, especially for exposed skin like cheeks, ears, noses and fingers.

Tonight: Frostbite-Risk Wind Chills and Bitter Deep Cold

Tonight stays mainly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of flurries, and the wind remains an issue. West winds of 20 km/h gusting to 40 km/h will keep blowing whatever loose snow is left on the ground, and the temperature will plunge to around –24°C.

With that wind, the wind chill will hover near –34°C, which is very serious cold. At those levels, frostbite can develop quickly on exposed skin, especially if you’re out walking, dealing with vehicles, or spending time outdoors for work or recreation. It’s a night for block heaters, extra blankets, and making sure everyone – including pets – has a warm place to be.

Saturday and Sunday: Bright but Brutal, Then a Slight Break

On Saturday, the region gets a mix of sun and cloud with a 40 percent chance of flurries and lighter winds up to 15 km/h. The high will be around –19°C, but the wind chill will start near –34°C in the morning and improve only to about –28°C in the afternoon. That keeps the frostbite risk very much in play, even under sunny breaks.

Saturday night will be clear with a low near –26°C, allowing temperatures to fall off quickly after sunset. It’ll be a gorgeous night sky – and extremely cold.

Sunday brings sunny skies and a high near –15°C, offering a bit of visual relief even if the air is still bitter. Sunday night turns cloudy with a 40 percent chance of snow and a low around –16°C, as another system approaches to start the work week.

Further into the outlook, Monday carries a 40 percent chance of flurries with a high near –10°C and more flurries possible Monday night with a low around –13°C. Tuesday brings a 40 percent chance of flurries and a mild-for-December high near 1°C, followed by a low near –9°C. Wednesday continues with a 30 percent chance of flurries and a high around –3°C, then a 40 percent chance of snow Wednesday night with a low near –16°C. Thursday keeps a 30 percent chance of flurries and a high near –13°C, returning the region to more typical deep-winter numbers.

What to Wear in Dryden and Vermilion Bay

This is “full serious winter” weather – not the time for “just a hoodie.” With wind chills in the –30s, the right clothing makes all the difference:

• Start with a thermal or fleece base layer (top and bottom) to trap heat.

• Add a warm mid-layer, like a sweater or hoodie.

• Top it with a proper insulated winter jacket that blocks the wind.

• Snow pants or insulated pants are strongly recommended if you’re outside for any length of time – walking, shovelling, working, or heading to the rink.

• Wear insulated winter boots with thick socks; cold feet will make even short errands rough.

• A toque that covers your ears, thick mitts instead of thin gloves, and a scarf or neck warmer you can pull over your face are essential when wind chills slide toward –30°C and below.

If you’re driving, especially outside town, make sure you’ve got a winter kit in the car: booster cables, a blanket, extra mitts and hat, and a phone charger at minimum.

Dryden Winter Trivia – Quiet Snow, Serious Cold

Dryden and Vermilion Bay don’t always see the most dramatic blizzards, but they often get steady light snow and long runs of deep cold, like the pattern unfolding now. That’s why streets can stay snow-covered for much of the winter, and why the snowpack builds gradually rather than in one big hit. It’s classic Northwestern Ontario winter – the kind that toughens everybody up, squeaks under your boots, and makes that first cup of coffee or hot chocolate after coming inside feel like the best thing in the world.

Last Word on Weather:
Dryden and Vermilion Bay see snow and flurries today with wind chills near –30, dropping to –34 tonight and staying brutally cold through the weekend with frostbite risk.