Today: Snow on the way, blowing at times, and a biting wind chill
Thunder Bay – WEATHER DESK – Get set for some Northwestern Ontario winter weather. Cold and snow is on the way. If you are highway-bound for travel to the west Kenora is expecting 5-10 cm of the white stuff.
At 5:00 a.m. CST, Dryden Airport reports –22°C under mostly cloudy skies with a wind chill of –30. The wind is south at 11 km/h, pressure 102.4 kPa, humidity 81%, and visibility 16 km. Roads and sidewalks are very slick in spots.
Cloud cover builds through the morning, with snow developing near noon and local blowing snow late this morning and this afternoon. Near 5 cm is expected by evening. Winds increase south 20 km/h gusting to 40. The high is –11°C, but it will feel like –32 this morning and around –20 this afternoon. This is frostbite risk territory—keep trips short and cover up.
Tonight: Snow tapers, a few flurries linger, still cold
Snow and local blowing snow end late this evening, then it’s cloudy with a 40% chance of flurries. Another 2 to 4 cm is possible before it winds down. Wind southwest 20 km/h becoming light early this evening. Low –14°C, wind chill near –20. Expect black ice and refreeze on bridge decks and rural stretches.
Friday: Gusty and chilly with flurries popping up
Cloudy with a 60% chance of flurries in the afternoon. Wind turns west 20 km/h gusting to 40 in the morning. High –10°C, wind chill –23 in the morning and –18 in the afternoon.
Friday night: Cloudy periods, 60% chance of flurries, low –21°C.
Weekend: Quiet but crisp
Saturday: A mix of sun and cloud, high –16°C. Saturday night: Cloudy at times, low –23°C.
Sunday: A mix of sun and cloud, high –16°C. Sunday night: Cloudy periods, low –22°C.
What to wear
Think layers: a thermal base, insulating mid-layer, and a wind-resistant parka. Add a toque, insulated mitts, neck warmer or balaclava, and winter boots with good tread. Cover exposed skin—frostbite can develop quickly in these wind chills.
Travel notes
Snow and gusts will reduce visibility at times and drifting will develop on open stretches. Slow down, keep lights on, and leave extra room to stop. Expect refreeze this evening and overnight.
Local weather trivia
On strong southerly setups, the Wabigoon Lake corridor can funnel wind and snow streamers, making conditions worse along open shorelines than in sheltered neighbourhoods.
