NetNewsLedger Weather Desk – Thunder Bay

THUNDER BAY – WEATHER DESK – Thunder Bay is waking up under a fresh dusting of snow this morning, just in time for the back-to-work and back-to-school commute. Roads and sidewalks have that thin, slippery layer that looks pretty from the window but can be sneaky underfoot and under tire.

At 6:00 AM EST, Thunder Bay Airport was reporting drifting snow and a temperature of –10.1°C (we’ll call it –10°C). A west-northwest wind at 21 km/h, gusting to 35 km/h, is pushing the wind chill to about –18°C.

Humidity is at 66 percent, with a dew point near –15.3°C, and visibility is around 16 kilometres through the drifting snow.

The barometric pressure is 101.5 kPa and falling, showing that the atmosphere is already shifting toward a more active pattern with ice pellets and even rain showers in the forecast.

Today: Dusting Done, Flurries Linger, Cold Air Hanging On

The periods of snow are ending early this morning, leaving behind mainly cloudy skies with a 40 percent chance of flurries through the day. That’s just enough to keep the air looking wintry and occasionally top up that light snow on roads and walkways.

Winds will become west near 20 km/h this morning, keeping that drifting snow effect going in exposed areas. The afternoon high will reach about –9°C, but with the breeze, it won’t feel that “warm.” The wind chill sits near –22°C this morning and improves only to about –14°C this afternoon. It’s still a day where you’ll want full winter gear, even if the sun peeks out at times.

The UV index remains low (1), so sunburn isn’t the concern — traction and warmth are.

Tonight: Ice Pellets and Freezing Drizzle Risk

Tonight, Thunder Bay heads into trickier territory. The forecast calls for cloudy skies with a 60 percent chance of ice pellets before morning, along with a risk of freezing drizzle. That is a red flag for slippery conditions on side streets, untreated sidewalks, driveways, and steps.

Winds will be light, up to 15 km/h, but the temperature will drop sharply to around –20°C. With that, the wind chill will be near –17°C this evening and around –24°C overnight. It will be cold enough to bite, and the icy mix could turn the morning walk or drive into a slide if surfaces glaze over.

Tuesday: Ice Pellets to Rain Showers – Then Back to Snow

On Tuesday, the atmosphere throws in almost everything. Expect a mix of sun and cloud with a 60 percent chance of ice pellets early in the morning, transitioning to a 40 percent chance of rain showers late in the afternoon. There is also a risk of freezing drizzle in the morning, so the early part of the day is the most treacherous for slick surfaces.

Winds will become southwest 20 km/h in the morning, drawing in milder air. The high is forecast to reach around +4°C, which will feel surprisingly mild after a string of minus double-digit mornings. That said, the wind chill will still be around –18°C in the morning, and melting snow plus rain means slush, puddles, and then ice later.

Tuesday night remains cloudy with a 60 percent chance of flurries or rain showers, and the low will dip to about –13°C. Any water or slush left on roads and sidewalks will refreeze, so Wednesday morning could be icy again.

Midweek: A Bright Break, Then Snow and Blowing Snow

On Wednesday, Thunder Bay gets a sunny day with a high near –6°C. It will feel like a classic cold but bright winter day, a bit of a break after the messy ice pellet and rain mix.

Wednesday night sees a return to wintry action, with periods of snow and a low near –5°C. That sets the stage for a snowy and windy Thursday.

On Thursday, the forecast calls for snow with local blowing snow and a high near –4°C. Visibility could drop at times, especially along more open stretches and near the harbour or rural roads, as winds pick up and push the falling and lying snow around.

Thursday night, cloudy periods continue with a 60 percent chance of flurries and local blowing snow, and the temperature plunges to around –26°C. That’s a sharp return to deep-freeze conditions, with wind chills likely pushing the risk of frostbite again.

Friday and the weekend keep things firmly wintry:

• Friday: 40 percent chance of flurries, high near –8°C; periods of snow Friday night, low near –8°C.

• Saturday: 70 percent chance of flurries, high near –7°C; cloudy periods Saturday night, low near –19°C.

• Sunday: A mix of sun and cloud with a high around –11°C.

In short, Thunder Bay faces a dusty, slippery Monday, a messy but mild Tuesday, and then snow and a deeper cold snap later in the week.

What to Wear in Thunder Bay Today and Tuesday

This stretch is all about staying warm and staying upright.

For today and tonight:

• Wear a thermal or fleece base layer on top and bottom.

• Add a warm mid-layer such as a hoodie or sweater.

• Top it off with a good insulated winter jacket that cuts the wind.

• On your legs, lined pants or snow pants are a smart move if you’re walking any distance or waiting for transit.

For your feet, choose insulated winter boots with solid tread and thick socks. With drifting snow today and ice pellets/freezing drizzle tonight and Tuesday morning, traction is a big deal.

A toque covering your ears, thick mitts instead of thin gloves, and a neck warmer or scarf you can pull over your face will make the –20s wind chill feel a lot more manageable. On Tuesday, when temperatures climb above zero, you might feel tempted to underdress — but slush and gusty winds mean you’ll still want waterproof, warm layers.

For drivers and bus commuters, allow extra time both today and especially tomorrow morning. That “good dusting” and the incoming icy mix are exactly the kind of conditions that can hide black ice at intersections and on ramps.

Thunder Bay Weather Trivia – The Flip-Flop Factor

Thunder Bay’s winter personality includes some dramatic flip-flops: in just a couple of days, the city can move from –10°C and drifting snow, to +4°C with rain showers, then straight back into snow, blowing snow, and wind chills in the –20s.

That’s what happens when Arctic air to the northwest and milder Pacific- and prairie-fed systems from the west meet along the north shore of Lake Superior. It keeps plows, salt trucks, and winter boot treads busy — and makes checking the forecast part of the daily routine.

Last Word on the Weather:
Thunder Bay starts Monday at –10°C with drifting snow and flurries, then faces ice pellets and freezing drizzle tonight, +4°C and rain Tuesday, and snow with deep cold later this week.