Thunder Bay – Weather Desk – Dryden and Vermilion Bay begin Tuesday in deep freeze conditions, with a Yellow Cold Warning in effect early this morning. Wind chills are expected to hover near -38, with the warning ending late this morning as temperatures slowly “improve” through the day. Flurries remain possible on and off today and tonight, but the bigger story is the cold and the continued frostbite risk.
This morning, Highway 17 east of Dryden between Upsala and Shabaqua Corners is closed.
Today’s Weather Overview
Current Conditions
Observed at Dryden Airport (4:48 AM CST):
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Condition: Partly Cloudy
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Temperature: -25.8°C
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Wind: W 11 km/h
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Wind Chill: -35
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Humidity: 77%
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Dew Point: -28.6°C
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Pressure: 101.8 kPa
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Visibility: 16 km
Even with only a light-to-moderate breeze, the air is cold enough that exposed skin can become painful quickly.
Today
A mix of sun and cloud with a 30% chance of flurries this morning and early this afternoon.
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High: -17°C
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Wind: West 20 km/h gusting to 40
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Wind Chill: -37 this morning, improving to -27 this afternoon
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UV Index: 1 (Low)
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Risk: Frostbite risk remains elevated in the morning cold.
Extended Weather Outlook
Tonight (Tue night)
Mainly cloudy with a 40% chance of flurries.
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Low: -24°C
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Wind: West 20 km/h gusting to 40, becoming light late this evening
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Wind Chill: -28 this evening, near -33 overnight
Wednesday, January 28
Mainly cloudy with a 30% chance of flurries.
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High: -19°C
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Wind: Up to 15 km/h
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Wind Chill: -34 in the morning, -28 in the afternoon
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Night: Cloudy periods with a 30% chance of flurries, low -27°C
Thursday, January 29
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Sunny
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High: -18°C
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Night: Clear, low -27°C
Friday, January 30
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Sunny
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High: -15°C
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Night: Clear, low -21°C
Trend note: The weekend looks less harsh by day (highs trending toward the single digits below zero), but overnights stay firmly winter-cold.
Wardrobe Recommendations
This is full-on winter layering weather:
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Thermal base layer + insulating mid-layer + windproof parka
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Mitts, warm socks, insulated boots (wind + cold = fast heat loss)
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Cover your face (neck gaiter/balaclava) during early morning wind chills
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If driving between communities: keep blankets, a phone charger, and booster cables—cold weather is hard on batteries and roadside waits get dangerous fast.
Weather Trivia
Wind chill is about how quickly your body loses heat, not the actual air temperature. That’s why -26°C can “feel” like -35 with even a modest breeze—wind strips away the thin layer of warmth your body tries to hold near your skin.
Summary
Dryden and Vermilion Bay weather for Tuesday, January 27, 2026: partly cloudy and bitterly cold near -26°C with a Yellow Cold Warning and wind chills near -38 this morning. Flurries possible today and tonight, with cold persisting through Friday.
