New Year’s Eve Travel Weather Focus: Thunder Bay ➜ Winnipeg — Bitter Cold, Wind Chills in the -30s, Light Snow West
Thunder Bay – WEATHER DESK – If you’re driving Thunder Bay to Winnipeg today and tonight, plan for a cold, wind-driven trip with frostbite risk and patchy light snow increasing as you head west.
Thunder Bay and much of Northwestern Ontario trends drier/clearing, but the air is sharply cold. By the time you reach Manitoba, periods of light snow are expected around Winnipeg with very harsh wind chills.
Along the Route: What Travellers Can Expect
Thunder Bay (departure area)
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Morning flurries/light snow possible, then improving to brighter skies.
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Daytime temps around -14°C, but wind makes it feel colder.
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Tonight: Clear and very cold near -22°C, wind chill near -32 → frostbite risk if you’re outside for long.
Dryden & Vermilion Bay
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Early flurries possible, then clearing.
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High near -18°C with wind chills in the -30s.
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Tonight: Clear near -25°C with wind chills deep in the -30s.
Kenora & Lake of the Woods
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Bitter cold continues with wind chills around -33.
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Clear/partly cloudy tonight near -25°C → frostbite risk stays high.
Winnipeg (arrival area)
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Periods of light snow today and tonight.
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Temperatures near -20°C, falling colder through the day at times.
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Wind chills near -30 to -36 are possible → frostbite risk and reduced comfort during stops.
Road and Safety Notes
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Even when skies clear, watch for ice and refreeze, especially on bridges/overpasses and shaded stretches.
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Light snow/flurries can still cause brief visibility drops, particularly on open sections west of Kenora and into Manitoba.
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Dress for breakdown conditions: a short stop outside can become dangerous fast with wind chills in the -30s.
Travel Checklist
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Full winter kit: blankets, extra mitts/toque, boots, flashlight, charger/power bank, snacks, and windshield washer fluid rated for cold.
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Keep your gas tank above half.
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Take shorter breaks—limit time outside.
✅ Before you go (and during the trip): check 511on.ca for the latest Ontario road conditions and any travel advisories or closures along Highway 17.
