Thunder Bay – Weather – As November draws to a close, Canadians from coast to coast to coast are experiencing a diverse array of weather conditions.
Canada’s vast geography brings an incredible range of weather conditions, from mild rains in Vancouver to the extreme cold of Alert. As December begins, it’s time to gear up for winter’s challenges, whether it’s navigating icy roads in the Prairies or staying warm against Arctic chills in the North. Canadians are known for their resilience, and with the right preparation, this diverse winter landscape becomes a wonder to embrace.
Here’s a comprehensive outlook for November 30 through December 3, 2024, highlighting current conditions, forecasts, wardrobe suggestions, and historical weather trivia for various regions.
Atlantic Canada
St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador
Currently, St. John’s is mostly cloudy with a temperature of 4°C. The barometric pressure stands at 101.5 kPa and is steady, with northerly winds at 30 km/h. Sunrise is at 7:30 AM, and sunset at 4:15 PM.
Over the next few days, expect cloudy conditions with occasional rain and drizzle, with highs around 6°C and lows near 1°C. By December 3, temperatures will drop slightly, bringing colder rain and drizzle.
Wardrobe Suggestion: Waterproof jackets and sturdy umbrellas are advisable to stay dry during the wet conditions.
Historical Trivia: St. John’s holds the record for the most foggy days of any major Canadian city, averaging about 124 foggy days per year.
Saint John, New Brunswick
Saint John is currently clear with a temperature of 0°C. The barometric pressure is 1020 kPa and rising, with calm winds. Sunrise occurs at 7:45 AM, and sunset at 4:30 PM.
The forecast indicates mostly cloudy conditions with highs around 4°C and lows dropping to -5°C. Expect mostly sunny skies on December 1, with temperatures slightly cooler.
Wardrobe Suggestion: Layered clothing with a warm coat is recommended to stay comfortable in the fluctuating temperatures.
Historical Trivia: Saint John is known for its “reversing falls,” a phenomenon where the Bay of Fundy’s tides force the Saint John River to reverse its flow.
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Halifax is mostly cloudy at 0°C, with a barometric pressure of 1018 kPa and steady. Winds are from the northwest at 20 km/h. Sunrise is at 7:30 AM, and sunset at 4:45 PM.
The coming days will bring mostly cloudy skies with potential rain and snow, with highs around 6°C and lows near -2°C. Partly sunny conditions are expected on December 1.
Wardrobe Suggestion: A warm, waterproof coat will help navigate the mix of rain and snow.
Historical Trivia: Halifax’s harbor is one of the world’s largest natural harbors, playing a crucial role in maritime history.
Quebec
Québec City
Currently partly cloudy at 0°C, Québec City has a barometric pressure of 1016 kPa and steady, with light winds from the northeast. Sunrise is at 7:20 AM, and sunset at 4:00 PM.
Expect mostly cloudy conditions with occasional snow showers, accumulating 1-2 cm, with highs around 2°C and lows near -5°C. Temperatures will gradually decrease, with lows reaching -11°C by December 3.
Wardrobe Suggestion: Insulated jackets and snow boots are essential for the snowy and cold conditions.
Historical Trivia: Québec City is one of North America’s oldest cities, founded in 1608, and is renowned for its well-preserved colonial architecture.
Montréal
Light snow is falling in Montréal, with a temperature of 0°C. The barometric pressure is 1014 kPa and falling, with winds from the northeast at 15 km/h. Sunrise is at 7:30 AM, and sunset at 4:15 PM.
The forecast shows mostly cloudy skies with light snow, accumulating up to 1 cm, and highs around 2°C with lows near -2°C. Flurries are expected to continue into early December.
Wardrobe Suggestion: Warm clothing with waterproof layers will help manage the wet snow conditions.
Historical Trivia: Montréal’s Mount Royal Park was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, who also co-designed New York’s Central Park.
Ontario
Toronto
Toronto is mostly clear at -1°C, with a barometric pressure of 1018 kPa and steady. Winds are from the northwest at 20 km/h. Sunrise is at 7:40 AM, and sunset at 4:45 PM.
Expect cloudy and breezy conditions with snow showers, though little accumulation is expected. Highs will be around 3°C, with lows near -3°C. Flurries may persist through December 3.
Wardrobe Suggestion: Layered clothing with a windproof outer layer is recommended to stay warm against the breezy conditions.
Historical Trivia: Toronto’s CN Tower was the world’s tallest free-standing structure until 2007, standing at 553.3 meters.
Greater Sudbury
Mostly cloudy at -6°C, Greater Sudbury has a barometric pressure of 1020 kPa and rising, with calm winds. Sunrise is at 7:50 AM, and sunset at 4:40 PM.
The forecast indicates cloudy conditions with flurries, with highs around -1°C and lows near -9°C. Temperatures will remain cold, with lows reaching -7°C by December 3.
Wardrobe Suggestion: Insulated outerwear and warm accessories are essential for the cold and snowy conditions.
Historical Trivia: Sudbury is known for its nickel mining and is home to the Big Nickel, a nine-meter-tall replica of a Canadian five-cent coin.
Sault Ste. Marie
Currently mostly cloudy at -2°C, Sault Ste. Marie has a barometric pressure of 1015 kPa and falling, with winds from the west at 25 km/h. Sunrise is at 8:00 AM, and sunset at 4:50 PM.
Sault Ste. Marie’s forecast calls for scattered flurries over the next few days, with highs hovering around -1°C and lows dipping to -8°C. December 3 may bring clearer skies with colder temperatures as lows approach -12°C.
Wardrobe Suggestion: Layered winter clothing, including a hat and gloves, is crucial to fend off the wind chill and flurries. Waterproof boots are also a must for navigating snow-covered streets.
Historical Trivia: Sault Ste. Marie is one of the oldest settlements in North America, with a history of continuous settlement dating back over 2,000 years.
Thunder Bay
Currently partly cloudy at -8°C, Thunder Bay experiences winds from the west-northwest at 28 km/h, gusting to 50 km/h, with a barometric pressure of 1013 kPa and falling. Sunrise is at 8:00 AM, and sunset is at 4:30 PM.
Thunder Bay’s forecast includes light snow showers over the next few days, with daytime highs around -6°C and nighttime lows near -14°C. By December 3, expect clearer skies with colder conditions as lows approach -18°C.
Wardrobe Suggestion: Thick parkas, thermal gloves, and insulated boots are essential to brave the biting wind chills and cold temperatures.
Historical Trivia: Thunder Bay is home to the iconic Sleeping Giant, a rock formation that resembles a reclining giant and is considered one of Canada’s Seven Wonders.
Manitoba
Winnipeg
Winnipeg is mostly cloudy with a current temperature of -10°C, experiencing winds from the west at 20 km/h. The barometric pressure is 1022 kPa and rising. Sunrise is at 8:05 AM, and sunset at 4:30 PM.
The forecast calls for mostly sunny skies with light snow on November 30 and December 1, with highs around -7°C and lows nearing -15°C. By December 3, temperatures will drop further, with lows approaching -20°C.
Wardrobe Suggestion: Layered clothing with a windproof outer layer is crucial to handle the prairie winds and sub-zero temperatures.
Historical Trivia: Known as the “Gateway to the West,” Winnipeg experiences some of Canada’s coldest winters, with temperatures historically dropping as low as -47.8°C.
Churchill
Currently cloudy at -20°C, Churchill has light winds from the north at 15 km/h, with a barometric pressure of 1018 kPa and steady. Sunrise is at 8:30 AM, and sunset is at 3:45 PM.
Churchill’s forecast predicts continued cold with intermittent flurries and highs around -18°C, with lows dropping to -26°C by December 3. Expect biting wind chills that make temperatures feel closer to -30°C.
Wardrobe Suggestion: Extreme cold weather gear, including insulated mittens and face masks, is essential for protection against frostbite.
Historical Trivia: Churchill is known as the “Polar Bear Capital of the World,” with polar bears often spotted near town during the winter months.
Saskatchewan
Regina
Regina is currently clear with a temperature of -13°C. Winds are from the northwest at 18 km/h, and the barometric pressure is 1025 kPa and rising. Sunrise is at 8:20 AM, and sunset is at 4:40 PM.
Expect clear skies transitioning to light snow on December 1, with highs around -10°C and lows near -18°C. By December 3, temperatures will plummet further, with lows near -22°C.
Wardrobe Suggestion: Layered clothing, including thermal base layers and insulated jackets, will help navigate Regina’s icy conditions.
Historical Trivia: Regina holds the title of the sunniest capital city in Canada, with over 2,300 hours of sunshine annually.
Saskatoon
Saskatoon is mostly cloudy at -12°C, with light winds from the west at 15 km/h. The barometric pressure is 1023 kPa and rising. Sunrise is at 8:25 AM, and sunset is at 4:45 PM.
Expect mostly cloudy skies with light snow over the weekend. Highs will stay near -11°C, with lows reaching -20°C. December 3 may bring clearing skies but colder temperatures.
Wardrobe Suggestion: Windproof winter coats and insulated boots are essential to handle the wind chills.
Historical Trivia: Saskatoon is nicknamed the “City of Bridges,” with eight river crossings spanning the South Saskatchewan River.
Alberta
Edmonton
Currently partly cloudy at -12°C, Edmonton has light winds from the northwest at 10 km/h. The barometric pressure is 1021 kPa and steady. Sunrise is at 8:30 AM, and sunset is at 4:20 PM.
Expect mostly sunny skies through December 3, with highs around -10°C and lows nearing -20°C. Cold air will dominate, with wind chills dropping temperatures further.
Wardrobe Suggestion: Heavy winter coats, gloves, and scarves are vital for Edmonton’s dry, cold air.
Historical Trivia: Edmonton is home to North America’s largest urban park system, with over 160 kilometers of trails to explore—even in winter.
Calgary
Calgary is currently sunny at -8°C, with a barometric pressure of 1018 kPa and steady. Winds are light from the southwest. Sunrise is at 8:20 AM, and sunset is at 4:30 PM.
Clear skies will dominate, with highs around -6°C and lows near -15°C. A cold front will sweep through by December 3, bringing temperatures down to -20°C.
Wardrobe Suggestion: Wear thermal layers and windproof jackets to protect against the Chinook winds and sudden temperature changes.
Historical Trivia: Calgary experiences frequent Chinooks, which can raise winter temperatures by up to 20°C in a matter of hours.
British Columbia
Vancouver
Vancouver is currently overcast with a temperature of 6°C. Winds are calm, and the barometric pressure is 1012 kPa and falling. Sunrise is at 7:45 AM, and sunset is at 4:20 PM.
Expect rainy conditions with highs around 8°C and lows near 4°C. Rain showers will persist through December 3.
Wardrobe Suggestion: Waterproof jackets and boots are crucial for staying dry during Vancouver’s signature rainy weather.
Historical Trivia: Vancouver averages 166 rainy days annually, making it one of Canada’s rainiest cities.
Victoria
Victoria is partly cloudy at 8°C, with calm winds and a steady barometric pressure of 1015 kPa. Sunrise is at 7:40 AM, and sunset is at 4:25 PM.
Rain will dominate the coming days, with highs around 9°C and lows near 4°C. December 3 may bring some clearing.
Wardrobe Suggestion: Layered waterproof clothing is recommended to stay comfortable in the damp weather.
Historical Trivia: Victoria is Canada’s warmest city in winter, with an average January high of 8°C.
Northern Territories
Dawson City, Yukon
Currently partly cloudy with a frigid temperature of -22°C. Winds are calm, and the barometric pressure is 1022 kPa and steady. Sunrise is at 9:50 AM, and sunset is at 3:10 PM.
The forecast for Dawson City calls for clear but extremely cold conditions, with highs near -20°C and nighttime lows dropping to -30°C. By December 3, temperatures could approach -35°C, with persistent cold air dominating the region.
Wardrobe Suggestion: Extreme cold weather gear, including insulated parkas, mittens, and face protection, is vital for withstanding these dangerously low temperatures.
Historical Trivia: Dawson City, the heart of the Klondike Gold Rush, experiences some of Canada’s coldest winters, with temperatures often plunging below -40°C.
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
Yellowknife is experiencing light snow with a temperature of -24°C. Winds are from the northwest at 15 km/h, creating a wind chill near -35°C. The barometric pressure is steady at 1020 kPa. Sunrise is at 9:30 AM, and sunset is at 3:00 PM.
The forecast indicates mostly clear skies but bitterly cold temperatures. Highs will hover around -25°C, with nighttime lows dropping to -35°C. Wind chills will continue to make it feel significantly colder.
Wardrobe Suggestion: Heavy-duty winter gear, including thermal layers, snow boots, and face masks, is crucial for safety in these extreme conditions.
Historical Trivia: Yellowknife is known for its spectacular aurora borealis, visible nearly 240 nights per year, often enhanced by the crisp winter skies.
Alert, Nunavut
Currently the coldest place in the country, Alert reports clear skies and a temperature of -31°C. Winds are light from the northeast at 10 km/h, and the barometric pressure is steady at 1018 kPa. Sunrise and sunset do not apply, as Alert is in polar night at this time of year.
The forecast calls for continued extreme cold with highs around -30°C and lows dropping to -40°C. Wind chills will create conditions that feel closer to -50°C.
Wardrobe Suggestion: Specialized extreme weather clothing, including insulated outerwear and balaclavas, is essential for venturing outside in these life-threatening conditions.
Historical Trivia: Alert, located just 817 kilometers from the North Pole, is the northernmost permanently inhabited place in the world and experiences total darkness for much of the winter.