Heavy Snow Continues Today with Blowing Snow and Ice Pellets in the Mix
Low Pressure System Bringing a Late-Season Wallop
THUNDER BAY – WEATHER – If you’re waking up in Thunder Bay and wondering whether spring has taken a vacation—yes, yes it has. A Snowfall Warning remains in effect for the city as a potent low-pressure system continues to deliver heavy snow, gusty winds, and even some ice pellets for dessert. With total accumulations expected between 15 and 25 cm, this storm is no slouch.
As of 6:45 AM EDT at Thunder Bay Airport, conditions are already snowy with -2.7°C on the thermometer. Humidity is an impressive 96%—yes, the air is basically soup—but cold soup. The wind is coming from the east at 17 km/h, gusting to 28, giving us a brisk wind chill of -8. Visibility has dropped to just 2 km in the snow. The barometric pressure is falling at 101.9 kPa, a sure sign that this system is still flexing its muscles.
****ALL School Bus TRANSPORTATION CANCELED****
Due to forecasted weather and road conditions, ALL STUDENT TRANSPORTATION is canceled for today, Friday, March 28
The following schools are also closed for the day:
Crestview PS
Five Mile PS
Gorham and Ware PS
Kakabeka Falls PS
McKenzie PS
Norwesterview PS
Valley Central PS
Whitefish Valley PS
All other schools remain open.
Today’s Forecast: Snow, Ice Pellets, and Gusty Winds
Snow, sometimes heavy, continues throughout the day and could mix with ice pellets—particularly in areas near the Minnesota border where a bit of freezing rain could also sneak in. Blowing snow is expected this afternoon as winds intensify from the east at 30 km/h, gusting to 50. Expect another 10 to 15 cm of snow and pellets through the day. The high will climb to just -1°C, but it’ll feel closer to -10°C with the wind.
If you’re planning to hit the roads, brace yourself for low visibility and slick surfaces. It’s a “drive if you must, but maybe don’t” kind of day.
Tonight: Snow Tapers But Doesn’t Vanish Just Yet
By tonight, snow and ice pellets will transition to periods of lighter snow near midnight. An additional 5 to 10 cm of accumulation is likely. Gusty northeast winds will persist at 30 km/h, creating local blowing snow through the evening. The low will drop to -6°C with a wind chill near -12. Conditions are expected to improve overnight.
Weekend Outlook: Still Cold, Still Snowy
Saturday brings a 60% chance of light snow in the morning with mainly cloudy skies sticking around. Winds will calm down a bit, and the temperature will hover near zero—but bundle up early, as the morning wind chill will be a sharp -12°C.
Saturday night stays cloudy with a 40% chance of flurries and a low of -6°C. Sunday offers up—you guessed it—more snow, with a high of -2°C and a return to colder overnight temperatures at -14°C. Monday finally brings sunshine with a high of -1°C and a clear, cold night at -15°C. Winter’s clearly overstaying its welcome.
What to Wear: Embrace the Arctic
Don’t put the parka away just yet. You’ll want your warmest winter coat, waterproof boots, a solid hat, and gloves. With blowing snow and wind chills in the double negatives, this is not the time for fashion statements—unless your fashion statement is “I like being warm and dry.”
Historic Weather Snapshot
Thunder Bay’s warmest March 28 on record was 11.3°C in 1986, while the chilliest plummeted to a frosty -26.1°C back in 1972. Today might not be record-breaking, but it’s a solid reminder that March in Northwestern Ontario is not to be trusted.
Weather Trivia: Thunder Bay’s Snow Cred
Did you know Thunder Bay sees an average of over 250 cm of snow each year? That’s over 8 feet—taller than most NHL goalies. And March is often one of the snowiest months, with transitional storms like this one reminding us that winter likes to go out with a bang, not a whimper.
