Thunder Bay – Weather – Our city is off to a windy, damp start this Thursday, with a Yellow Rainfall Warning still in effect for the city. Environment Canada says 30 to 50 mm of rain is expected from this evening through Friday evening, with frozen ground reducing drainage and increasing the risk of pooling water on roads and in low-lying areas.
The weather service rates the alert’s impact as moderate and its forecast confidence as high.
If you look closely at our weather graphic this morning, along Red River Road at 7:15 AM there was a whitetail deer racing up the sidewalk. It is a reminder of how fortunate we all are in Thunder Bay to have wildlife in our city. It is also a caution to be aware of them.
Today’s Weather Overview
Current Conditions
At 7:00 AM EDT at Thunder Bay Airport, it was 4.8°C under mostly cloudy skies. Winds were from the ENE at 23 km/h, gusting to 39 km/h, with 83% humidity, 101.1 kPa pressure and falling, and 32 km visibility. It is the kind of morning that feels unsettled before the heavier rain moves in.
Environment Canada says showers should taper off late this morning, followed by a mix of sun and cloud with a 40 percent chance of additional showers. There is also a risk of a thunderstorm this morning, with an afternoon high of 9°C and east winds near 20 km/h gusting to 40.
Tomorrow’s Forecast
Expected Conditions
Tonight, the weather turns more serious. Thunder Bay will stay cloudy with a 40 percent chance of showers this evening before rain begins late this evening, along with a risk of thunderstorms this evening and overnight. Rainfall tonight alone could total 15 to 25 mm, with a low of 4°C.
On Friday, April 24, steady rain is expected, adding another 10 to 20 mm. Winds will be from the southeast at 30 km/hbefore easing in the afternoon, and the daytime high will reach 7°C. By Friday night, colder air starts to edge back in, bringing a 40 percent chance of flurries or rain showers and a low of 1°C.
The weekend looks better. Saturday and Sunday are both forecast to bring a mix of sun and cloud with highs near 11°C. Early next week stays changeable, with cloudy skies and a 40 percent chance of rain Monday, a 40 percent chance of rain or snow Monday night, and continued cloud and rain chances into Tuesday.
Environment Canada warns that water will likely pool on roads and in low-lying areas, and motorists should watch for washouts near rivers, creeks, and culverts. Drivers are urged not to go through flooded roadways.
Wardrobe Recommendations
Today calls for a waterproof spring jacket, sturdy shoes or boots, and a layer underneath to handle the cool wind. For tonight and Friday, an umbrella may help, but a hooded rain shell is the better choice given the gusty conditions and potential thunderstorms.
Weather Trivia
Thunder Bay’s seasonal normals for late April are 12°C for the daytime high and -1°C for the overnight low, so this stretch of wet, raw weather is running a little cooler than average by day, even if it is not far from normal for the shoulder season.
