Thunder Bay – WEATHER DESK – Dryden and Vermilion Bay are in the middle of a classic Northwestern Ontario cold stretch. Light snow is falling early this morning, and it continues through the day before tapering off this evening. The bigger headline is the intensifying cold—wind chills drop into the mid-to-upper -30s overnight, and Thursday morning looks especially harsh with wind chills pushing near -40.

Remember it is equally cold for dogs, cats and livestock. Make sure trips outside are short and perhaps its a good day for the cat to stay inside.

Today’s Weather Overview

Current Conditions (Dryden Airport — 5:09 AM CST)

• Temperature: -22.5°C (Weather Focus: -23°C)

• Condition: Light snow

• Wind: South 13 km/h

• Wind Chill: -31

• Humidity: 79%

• Pressure: 100.9 kPa

• Visibility: 16 km

Even though visibility is decent right now, the cold plus light snow can still make roads slick—especially where snow packs down at intersections and on untreated surfaces.

Today (Wednesday, Jan 21)

• Periods of light snow

• Wind becoming northwest 20 km/h late this afternoon

• High: -16°C

• Wind chill: -33 this morning, improving to around -23 this afternoon

• Risk of frostbite (especially this morning)

Extended Forecast

Expected Conditions (Next Three Days)

Tonight

• Light snow ending this evening, then partly cloudy with 30% chance of flurries

• Wind NW 20 km/h gusting to 40, becoming light before morning

• Low: -28°C

• Wind chill: -37 overnight

• Risk of frostbite

Thursday (Jan 22)

• Mix of sun and cloud with 30% chance of flurries

• Wind up to 15 km/h

• High: -25°C

• Wind chill: -39 in the morning, -34 in the afternoon

• Risk of frostbite

• Thursday night: Clear, low -33°C

Friday (Jan 23)

• Sunny

• High: -25°C

• Friday night: Clear, low -34°C

Wardrobe Recommendations

• This morning: Dress for the wind chill, not the thermometer—heavy parka, insulated mitts, toque, and a neck warmer/face covering.

• Tonight into Thursday morning: Plan for extreme-feeling cold (wind chills near -37 to -39). Cover exposed skin and keep outdoor time short.

• Footwear: Insulated boots with good tread. Light snow can hide icy patches, especially on packed sidewalks and parking lots.

Weather Trivia

Wind chill doesn’t change the air temperature—it describes how fast your body loses heat in the wind. That’s why -25°Ccan feel dramatically worse with even a modest breeze, and why frostbite risk climbs quickly when wind chills drop toward -40.

Summation

Dryden and Vermilion Bay weather forecast for January 21, 2026: Periods of light snow today with a high near -16°C. Bitter cold strengthens tonight with lows near -28°C and wind chills near -37. Thursday stays frigid with wind chills near -39 and ongoing frostbite risk.