Thunder Bay’s weather outlook features sunshine, snow, and rising temps with highs of -7°C today. Wind chills, snow amounts, and weekend details included!
As Thunder Bay wakes up to a frosty -25°C this morning, the weather is setting the stage for a dynamic mid-January week. The crisp air is accompanied by partly cloudy skies and a light southwest wind of 5 km/h, making it feel more like -29°C with the wind chill.
Visibility is excellent at 24 km, so if you’re bundled up, it’s a great morning for a brisk walk—just make sure to dress like you’re heading to the Arctic.
Here’s what you can expect for today and the next few days in Thunder Bay.
Today: Sunny, Cloudy, and Snowy All in One
The day starts with sunshine, but increasing cloudiness will pave the way for snow by this afternoon. Expect 2 to 4 cm of the fluffy stuff to fall. Winds will remain light, reaching up to 15 km/h, but with a high of -7°C, you’ll still feel the bite of winter. Wind chills will hover around -25°C this morning, improving slightly to -12°C in the afternoon. Don’t forget to grab your sunglasses (that UV index is a low 1) and your warmest toque.
Tonight: Snowy and Slightly Warmer
Light snow will continue tonight, potentially mixing with freezing drizzle late in the evening and overnight. An additional 2 cm of snow could accumulate, and temperatures will rise to a low of -9°C before climbing to -5°C by morning. The wind will remain gentle, with a wind chill near -14°C. Take care on the roads, as freezing drizzle might create slick conditions.
Thursday, January 16: Cloudy with a Chance of Flurries
Thursday brings mainly cloudy skies with a 40% chance of flurries in the morning and early afternoon. Northwest winds will pick up, gusting to 50 km/h before tapering off in the late afternoon. The day’s high will reach -3°C, with wind chills ranging from -13°C in the morning to -8°C by the afternoon. Thursday night will keep things wintry with periods of snow and a low of -6°C.
Friday, January 17: Snowy, but Mild
More snow is in the forecast for Friday with a high of -3°C, giving the city a brief reprieve from the colder temperatures. By night, the clouds will thin out, leaving a 40% chance of flurries and temperatures dropping sharply to -19°C. You might want to swap your gloves for mittens—trust us, they’re warmer.
Saturday, January 18: A Frosty Weekend Ahead
Saturday brings a mix of sun and cloud with a high of -14°C, offering some scenic winter views. The temperature will plummet overnight to a bone-chilling -28°C under clear skies. Break out the extra blankets and hot chocolate for this one—you’ll need them!
Wardrobe Tips for the Week
Layering is key this week! Stick with thermal base layers, thick parkas, insulated boots, and your coziest scarves. Don’t forget your gloves or mittens, as exposed skin can get nippy with wind chills. Sunglasses are a bonus for today and Saturday when the sun peeks through.
Historic Weather for January 15
On this date in Thunder Bay’s history, the warmest temperature recorded was a balmy 8.3°C in 1987. The chilliest? A frigid -37.2°C in 1982. It’s safe to say today’s -25°C falls solidly in the “typical Thunder Bay winter” category.
Did You Know?
Thunder Bay is nicknamed the “Lakehead” due to its location at the head of Lake Superior. The lake significantly influences local weather, often creating “lake-effect snow” in winter. So, the snow you’ll see today and Friday? You can thank good old Lake Superior for that!
