Winter Storm Watch in Effect as Thunder Bay Braces for Major Mid-Week Snowfall

A Snowy Slam Dunk Expected Starting Wednesday Morning

THUNDER BAY – WEATHER – Don’t put that snow shovel away just yet. Thunder Bay is staring down a serious snowfall situation as Environment Canada has issued a Winter Storm Watch.

As first reported this morning conditions were combining for another snowstorm.

If you’ve been dreaming of one last epic winter wonderland moment, Mother Nature’s got your back — and then some. A potent winter storm is forecast to move in Wednesday morning and continue into early Thursday, packing a powerful punch of snow, wind, and reduced visibility.

As of 4:00 PM EDT Monday, Thunder Bay is enjoying relatively calm conditions. Skies are partly cloudy, the temperature sits at -1.6°C, with a brisk east wind blowing at 24 km/h. The barometric pressure stands at 101.7 kPa and is rising, suggesting a temporary lull before the atmospheric drama unfolds. Humidity levels are currently at 71%, keeping the air crisp — but not yet biting.

The Storm Breakdown

Starting early Wednesday, snow will begin falling steadily, intensifying into the afternoon and evening. By the time it’s all said and done,

Thunder Bay could be blanketed under 20 to 30 cm of snow. The heaviest snowfall rates will reach 3 to 5 cm per hour — enough to turn a coffee break into a full snow shovelling session.

Accompanying the snowfall will be strong easterly winds gusting up to 60 km/h, leading to local blowing snow, especially in exposed areas around Lake Superior. Visibility will be significantly reduced at times, making travel hazardous. Winds will begin to ease late Wednesday night, and the snow will taper to flurries by early Thursday.

Looking Ahead

Wednesday’s high will hover near -2°C, though it will feel much colder with the windchill. Thursday brings a chance of flurries as the system moves out, with temperatures remaining seasonally chilly.

And how does this compare historically? On this day, Thunder Bay has seen a record high of 17.1°C, recorded in 1946. The record low? A brisk -26.2°C back in 1964. So yes, it’s been warmer — and much, much colder.