Brace for the Chill, but Sunshine is On the Menu
Extreme cold eases in Thunder Bay, with sunny skies and frosty temps of -23°C today. Snow arrives tonight. Frostbite risk remains. Check the full forecast!
Thunder Bay – WEATHER DESK – Good news, Thunder Bay—the Extreme Cold Warning has officially lifted!
That doesn’t mean grab the shorts and sunscreen!
While the frostbite-inducing temperatures persist, the skies are gracing us with some welcome sunshine.
As of 1:00 PM at the Thunder Bay Airport, it’s still a bitter -23°C, feeling closer to -31°C with the wind chill.
The skies are partly cloudy, visibility is excellent at 32 km, and a gentle westerly wind is blowing at 12 km/h. The barometric pressure is at 102.5 kPa and falling, while the humidity sits at a parched 43%. With conditions like these, you’ll need your thickest winter coat and gloves—frostbite is a real risk.
Afternoon Forecast: A Bit of Sun but Still Frigid
This afternoon, expect mainly sunny skies with a high of -20°C. However, the wind chill will continue to bite, making it feel like -27°C. The UV index is 1, which is low enough that sunscreen isn’t a priority, but you’ll definitely want to bundle up to protect against the cold.
Tonight: Light Snow on the Way
As the day transitions into evening, increasing cloudiness will take over. Periods of light snow, amounting to about 2 cm, are expected to begin late tonight. Winds will remain calm at up to 15 km/h, and temperatures will rise slightly, reaching -15°C by morning. However, the wind chill will still make it feel like -31°C early in the evening and -21°C overnight. Frostbite risk remains, so keep that scarf snug!
Mid-Week Outlook: A Mix of Snow and Sunshine
Wednesday, January 22
Expect a bit of a snowy start to Wednesday, with periods of light snow ending in the morning and skies turning mainly cloudy. A 40% chance of flurries will linger throughout the day, with winds shifting to a northwesterly breeze at 20 km/h by the afternoon. Temperatures will reach a high of -13°C, but the wind chill will make it feel like a frosty -24°C. Overnight, the skies will clear up, and the temperature will plummet to a frigid -25°C.
Thursday, January 23
Thursday promises bright and sunny skies, with a high of -14°C. The night will remain clear, with a low of -24°C, making for perfect stargazing weather—if you’re brave enough to step outside!
Friday and Saturday, January 24–25
Friday will bring increasing cloudiness and slightly milder temperatures, reaching a high of -10°C. Snow lovers can look forward to a 60% chance of flurries overnight, with a low of -12°C. Saturday continues the cloudy trend with a high of -6°C and a 60% chance of flurries, followed by colder conditions at night with a low of -18°C.
Historical Tidbit: January’s Record-Breaking Extremes
On this date in Thunder Bay’s weather history, the warmest recorded high was a balmy 7.5°C, set in 1981. Meanwhile, the coldest January 21 saw temperatures plummet to a bone-chilling -39.4°C back in 1996.
Dressing for the Weather
Layering is your best friend this week! Start with thermal undergarments and top it off with a heavy winter coat. Don’t forget a hat, insulated gloves, and a scarf to protect against frostbite. With snow in the forecast tonight and tomorrow, make sure your footwear is waterproof and warm.
Weather Trivia: Did You Know?
Thunder Bay is one of the sunniest cities in Ontario during winter, with an average of over 1,000 hours of sunshine annually. So even when the temperatures dip, Mother Nature often compensates with bright blue skies!
