A Chilly Night With Flurries in the Forecast
Thunder Bay is settling into a wintry evening as light snow continues to dust the area. At 11:00 PM EST, the temperature at Thunder Bay Airport is -6°C, with a wind chill making it feel closer to -10°C. Winds are blowing gently from the west-southwest at 9 km/h, but changes are coming soon. The barometric pressure sits at 100.4 kPa and is falling, signaling a shifting weather pattern. Humidity is at a brisk 81%, keeping the air crisp and frosty. Visibility remains good at 24 km, so you can enjoy the snowy views while they last!
Overnight, expect snow to linger, with winds picking up from the northwest at 20 km/h before morning. The temperature will hold steady at -6°C, with the wind chill dipping to a frosty -13°C.
Thursday, January 16: Cloudy With a Chance of Flurries
Thursday promises to be a day of gusty winds and fleeting snowflakes. The morning will kick off with cloudy skies and a 40% chance of flurries. Northwest winds will ramp up to 30 km/h, with gusts reaching up to 60 km/h, making it feel like a scene from a winter movie. Temperatures will climb slightly to a high of -3°C before falling back to -6°C by the afternoon. Wind chills will keep things brisk, hovering at -13°C in the morning and easing to -8°C later in the day.
By evening, the chance of flurries lingers at 40%, but the snow will intensify after midnight, bringing about 2 cm of accumulation. Winds will shift to the south at 20 km/h before dawn, while the temperature drops to -11°C. Wind chills will make it feel like a teeth-chattering -16°C, so bundle up if you’re venturing out after dark.
Friday, January 17: Snowy Start, Frigid Finish
Friday will greet Thunder Bay with periods of snow and a surprising high of 0°C. But don’t get too cozy—things will take a dramatic turn as the night falls. Skies will clear, and the mercury will plummet to a frigid -20°C, with a 60% chance of lingering flurries. Expect icy conditions, so tread carefully on sidewalks and roads.
Saturday, January 18: Sunshine With a Side of Deep Freeze
Saturday will be a bright and sunny day, but it’s going to be cold. The high will struggle to reach -18°C, so you’ll want to grab your warmest winter layers. The real chill arrives after sunset when the temperature free-falls to an arctic -30°C under clear skies. Let’s hope your furnace is in top shape because it’s going to be one of those “curl up with hot cocoa” kind of nights.
Historic Highs and Lows
For January 15, the historic high temperature for Thunder Bay is a balmy 6.7°C, recorded in 1981—what a far cry from today’s wintry chill! The record low, a bone-chilling -37.8°C, was set in 1982. While tonight’s -6°C feels cold, it’s nowhere near those historic extremes.
What to Wear
Layer up, Thunder Bay! Tonight and tomorrow will feature wind chills in the -10°C to -13°C range, so a thick winter jacket, gloves, a scarf, and a toque are essential. With gusty winds on Thursday, you’ll want to add windproof outerwear to your ensemble. If you’re planning to brave Friday night or Saturday, consider doubling up on socks—it’s going to be that cold.
Fun Weather Trivia
Did you know Thunder Bay is one of Canada’s sunniest cities during the winter months? Despite the deep freeze, locals can bask in an impressive average of over 100 hours of sunshine in January. So, while you’re bundling up this weekend, take comfort in knowing you’re still soaking up some vitamin D!
