Cold Front Moves In With Flurries and Subzero Sizzle
DRYDEN – Weather – It may technically be spring, but Dryden and Vermilion Bay are still under winter’s frosty spell. As of 6:00 AM CDT this Friday morning, the temperature sits at -3.4°C under a cloudy sky, with visibility stretching 16 km.
A light northwest breeze at 13 km/h is nudging the wind chill down to -8°C. The air feels crisp and damp, with humidity at 82%, while barometric pressure holds steady at 99.9 kPa.
If you’re wondering just how cold it can get this time of year, here’s a flash from the past: March 21 has brought temperatures as high as 13.9°C (in 1945), and as low as -36.7°C (in 1965). So today’s chill might not be pleasant, but it’s definitely not the worst Dryden’s seen on this date.
The Weekend Forecast – Flurries Fade, Sun Peeks, and Snow Sneaks Back
Friday brings a bit of a mixed bag. Morning flurries are expected to wind down, giving way to a combination of sun and cloud. But don’t pack away the parka just yet—there’s still a 40 percent chance of flurries later in the day.
As the winds shift to the north at 20 km/h, gusting up to 40, the temperature will tumble to a frigid -12°C by this afternoon. Factor in the wind chill and it’ll feel closer to -21°C. The UV index? Still low at 2, so sunglasses are optional, unless you’re dodging glare off that fresh snow.
Tonight, skies will begin partly cloudy before clearing completely. Winds will calm down by late evening, but not before helping drive overnight temperatures down to a teeth-chattering -23°C. The wind chill will hover around -25°C, with frostbite risk becoming a real concern. Definitely one of those “double-sock and hot-water-bottle” kind of nights.
Saturday kicks off sunny and bright, though the sunshine is mostly a decoy. Morning wind chills will make it feel like -31°C—yep, you read that right. With light winds up to 15 km/h, the high will reach -6°C, but the chill will still bite well into the afternoon, sitting near -10°C. Late Saturday brings increasing cloud cover and a 60 percent chance of flurries, followed by periods of snow into the night and a low of -10°C.
Sunday continues the snowy streak with periods of snow and a high of -2°C. If you’re planning errands or outdoor time, keep the shovel handy. Sunday night will be cloudy with a 30 percent chance of flurries, and a low of -9°C.
Come Monday, there’s a glimmer of hope as the high finally tips into positive territory at +1°C—spring may be inching its way in after all. The skies remain cloudy through the night, with a low of -8°C.
What to Wear in Dryden & Vermilion Bay This Weekend
Fashion tip? Function beats flair this weekend. For Friday through Sunday, start with thermal underlayers, add your warmest parka, waterproof snow boots, a wool hat, and those heavy-duty mitts. With wind chills plunging into the -30s Saturday morning, frostbite is a legitimate concern—especially for anyone walking the dog or waiting for a bus. Monday’s slightly warmer weather might let you loosen the scarf a bit… but not by much.
Weather Trivia – Dryden’s Frosty Flashback
Here’s a little shiver-worthy trivia: On March 21, 1965, Dryden recorded a low of -36.7°C—the coldest March 21 on record. So, when your eyelashes freeze walking to the mailbox this morning, just remember: it could be worse. Welcome to Northwestern Ontario, where spring has to earn its stripes.
