NetNewsLedger Weather – Dryden & Vermilion Bay Forecast

Dryden – Weather Desk – It’s a crisp, mid-December morning across Dryden and Vermilion Bay, with skies trying their best to brighten things up while the thermometer stays firmly in the deep-freeze zone. At 5:00 AM CST, conditions at Dryden Airport were reported as mostly cloudy, with a temperature of –14.9°C. A north-northeast wind at 9 km/h is driving the wind chill down to around –21°C.

Its one of those days to put mittens on your kittens, and also to make sure your pets are not left outside for hours on end, unless of course you have a husky, in which case it will be the neighbours calling to complain you are “freezing your dog” as the critter refuses to come in.

Humidity is sitting at 85 percent, with a dew point of –16.8°C, and visibility is 16 kilometres, a solid start for early-morning travel. The barometric pressure is 101.3 kPa, suggesting a fairly stable setup as we move into a colder but quieter stretch of weather.

Today: Flurries Fading, Sunshine Taking Over

The forecast for today calls for partly cloudy skies with a 40 percent chance of flurries early this morning, especially in pockets where lingering moisture and colder air meet. Those flurries should taper off fairly quickly, leaving behind a mainly sunny day across the region.

The afternoon high is expected to reach –13°C, but with earlier northeast winds near 20 km/h becoming light this morning, the wind chill will still feel close to –22°C for part of the day. Even with sunshine, you’ll notice that classic “squeaky snow underfoot” cold if you’re out walking to school, work, or running errands.

Tonight: Clear, Calm and Colder

Tonight will be clear and cold, ideal for stargazing if you don’t mind the chill. Winds stay light, up to 15 km/h, and the temperature dips to around –19°C. With that light breeze, the wind chill will feel closer to –24°C overnight. It’s the kind of night where block heaters, heavy duvets, and warm socks all feel absolutely essential. Any melt or softening of surfaces from daytime sun will quickly refreeze this evening, so expect crisp, icy conditions by Thursday morning.

Thursday and Friday: Sunny Start, Flurries Return, Then a Deep Freeze

Thursday will be another mainly sunny day, with light winds up to 15 km/h and a high near –12°C. However, it will still be a cold one, with wind chill values near –23°C in the morning and around –18°C in the afternoon. It’s a bright but brisk day — perfect for winter photos, not so much for bare hands.

Thursday night brings cloudy skies and a 60 percent chance of flurries, with a low near –17°C, as another weak system slides through the region.

Friday keeps things cloudy with a 60 percent chance of flurries and a high around –16°C. Behind that, colder air pushes in once again, bringing a very chilly Friday night low near –26°C under cloudy skies and a lingering 30 percent chance of flurries. That’s solid deep-freeze territory, and one of those nights where vehicles, pets, and people all need extra care.

Heading into the weekend, the pattern stays wintry and steady:

• Saturday: Cloudy, high near –20°C, low around –25°C under cloudy periods.

• Sunday: A mix of sun and cloud, high near –17°C, cloudier Sunday night with a low near –19°C.

• Monday and Tuesday: Cloudy skies, with highs gradually edging into the minus low to mid-teens.

What to Wear in Dryden and Vermilion Bay – Dress for Winter Warm – Not Style!

This is “dress for the wind chill” weather, not just for the number on the thermometer. For today and the next few days:

• Start with a thermal or fleece base layer to trap heat.

• Add a warm sweater or hoodie, then top it with a proper insulated winter jacket.

• If you’re spending time outside — walking, shovelling, or working — snow pants or lined pants make a big difference.

• Wear insulated winter boots with thick, warm socks to keep your feet from freezing on packed snow and icy sidewalks.

• Don’t forget a toque, warm mitts instead of thin gloves, and a scarf or neck warmer to cover your face and neck when wind chills sit in the low –20s.

With sunny breaks expected, especially today and Thursday, a pair of sunglasses is also a smart idea to knock down the glare off the snow.

Weather Trivia – Dryden’s Quiet Winter Reputation

Dryden and Vermilion Bay often miss the headline-making blizzards but make up for it with long stretches of steady cold and frequent light snows. That’s why roads and sidewalks can stay snow-covered and slick for much of the winter, even without huge storms. The upside? Some of the best sparkling blue-sky winter days in the province, complete with squeaky snow and frosty trees — as long as you’re dressed for it.