A Winter Storm Watch and Cold Start Have Spring on Hold
Saturday Forecast: Sunshine, Subzero, and the Calm Before the Snow
Thunder Bay is waking up to crystal-clear skies and a crisp -16.6°C at 7:00 AM EDT, but don’t let the peaceful morning fool you—winter has no intention of bowing out quietly.
Observed at Thunder Bay Airport, the dew point sits at a dry -22.2°C with humidity at 62%. Winds from the northwest are drifting in at 9 km/h, dragging the wind chill down to -23°C.
Visibility is a crystal-clear 24 km, and the barometric pressure stands at 101.8 kPa and rising—a brief moment of stability before the storm system rolls in.
Today offers a misleading dose of sunshine with winds staying light, up to 15 km/h.
Temperatures will slowly climb to a high of -4°C, but it will feel more like -22°C this morning and around -8°C by afternoon. The UV index sits at a moderate 3—just enough for sunglasses, but not nearly enough warmth to celebrate the spring equinox.
Think of it as “March pretending to be April, but still dressing like January.”
Tonight: Cloudy and Cautiously Quiet Before the Clipper
The evening brings increasing cloud cover and a 40 percent chance of overnight flurries as the system approaches. Winds will stay gentle at 15 km/h, and temperatures dip to -10°C. Wind chills will hover around -13°C. It’s the perfect night to charge your devices, prep your snow gear, and maybe cancel tomorrow’s plans… just in case.
Sunday March 23: Winter Storm Incoming
The Alberta Clipper is coming in hot—and heavy with snow. Sunday’s forecast starts off cloudy with a 40 percent chance of flurries in the early morning, but the real show begins shortly after. Snow, heavy at times, will begin mid-morning and continue throughout the day, dumping between 10 to 15 cm by nightfall. Winds will kick up out of the southeast at 20 km/h, gusting to 40 before calming later in the afternoon. The high will finally hit zero—but don’t expect it to feel that way with a morning wind chill of -11°C. The UV index drops to a low 1, as sunshine takes the day off.
Sunday night continues the snow theme with more accumulation expected and a low of -4°C. The snowstorm will likely total 15 to 25 cm by the time the system wraps up Monday, especially in higher terrain. A Winter Storm Watch is in effect, with potential for upgraded warnings as the clipper nears.
Monday March 24: Storm Winds Down, Cloud Cover Lingers
Monday keeps it grey and unsettled, with a 40 percent chance of lingering flurries under cloudy skies. The high edges up to +1°C—a small but symbolic win. Monday night remains cloudy with a dip down to -8°C, and likely more shoveling on the to-do list.
What to Wear?
Today’s attire should include full winter coverage—especially with this morning’s bitter wind chills. Layer up with thermal base layers, insulated outerwear, and snow-ready boots. Sunday demands full snowstorm gear: waterproof everything, a windproof outer shell, and goggles if you’re facing strong gusts. Monday might offer a brief wardrobe break—but don’t ditch the winter gear just yet.
Historical Snapshot
On March 22, Thunder Bay has seen its weather go both ways. The warmest on record was 10.8°C in 1987, while the coldest was a teeth-chattering -31.7°C in 1965. Today’s chilly start and upcoming snowstorm fall somewhere in between—though winter clearly still has a flair for drama.
Weather Trivia Time!
Did you know Alberta Clippers like the one heading our way are known for speed and snow intensity? They get their name from 19th-century clipper ships—fast, efficient, and capable of leaving a mess behind. Much like what Thunder Bay’s roads may look like by Monday.
