A Chilly Morning, But Warmer Days Are on the Way

Thunder Bay remains cold with light snow today, but a gradual warm-up is on the way. Highs near freezing by the weekend. Wind chills near -25°C tonight

Thunder Bay is waking up to another cold but improving morning, with the temperature sitting at -14.7°C as of 7:00 AM. A northwest wind at 6 km/h is making it feel like -19°C, and light snow is falling, reducing visibility to 13 km. Humidity is at 65%, and the barometric pressure is at 103.6 kPa, though it’s falling.

If you’ve been dreaming of an escape from the deep freeze, good news is on the horizon! While today remains chilly, a gradual warm-up is expected over the next few days, with temperatures climbing toward the freezing mark by the weekend.

Historically, February 19 in Thunder Bay has been all over the map. The record high for this date is 7.6°C, set in 1994, while the record low plunged to -38.3°C in 1966. So, while today feels cold, it’s far from the worst the city has ever seen!

Today: Light Snow and Cold Temperatures

Expect periods of light snow throughout the day, with winds staying light, up to 15 km/h. The temperature will reach a high of -11°C, though wind chills will make it feel closer to -21°C this morning and -16°C this afternoon. The UV index is low at 1, meaning sunglasses aren’t a necessity, but bundling up still is.

Tonight: Partly Cloudy with a Chance of Flurries

This evening will bring partly cloudy skies, with a 40% chance of flurries. Winds will remain gentle, up to 15 km/h, and temperatures will drop to -18°C. The wind chill will hover around -16°C in the evening and -24°C overnight, so if you’re heading out late, you’ll need full winter gear.

Thursday: Clearing Skies and a Slight Warm-Up

Thursday will see clouds clearing in the morning, giving way to sunshine. Winds will remain light, but it will still be a cold start with a wind chill of -25°C in the morning before improving to -12°C in the afternoon. The high will reach -7°C, which is slightly warmer than today, but still very much winter weather.

Thursday night will be clear and cold, with temperatures plummeting to -22°C.

Friday & Beyond: A Gradual Thaw

Friday will be cloudy, with a high of -5°C, a sign that the deep freeze is finally loosening its grip.

Saturday will bring a mix of sun and cloud with a 30% chance of flurries, and a high of -1°C—the warmest it’s been in quite some time!

Sunday is the real milestone, with temperatures finally climbing above freezing. A high of +1°C is expected, though flurries remain possible throughout the day. Snow chances increase overnight, with a 60% chance of snow and a low of -3°C.

What to Wear? Keep the Layers, But Hope for Warmer Days

For now, you’ll still need your heavy winter coat, gloves, scarf, and hat. With wind chills in the -20s over the next couple of days, frostbite is still a concern. However, as we inch closer to the weekend, you might finally get away with fewer layers!

Fun Weather Fact: The Sleeping Giant’s Coldest Night

Thunder Bay is no stranger to extreme cold, but did you know the city once hit -41.1°C on January 31, 1996? No wonder the Sleeping Giant prefers to stay in bed!