Cold Start, Cloudy Finish – Spring’s Still in Hibernation in the Northwest

It may be April, but the thermometer in Dryden and Vermilion Bay is still living in February. At 6:00 AM this Saturday, the Dryden Airport reported a clear sky with a frosty -9.1°C. Humidity is sitting at 75%, the wind is coming in from the west-southwest at 13 km/h, and that combo delivers a crisp wind chill of -15°C. Visibility is good at 16 km, and the pressure is at 102.4 kPa and falling—so prepare for a weather shift as the day progresses.

Saturday – Sunshine to Start, Flurries to Finish

The day begins bright and sunny, offering a moment of deceptive spring cheer. But don’t let the blue skies fool you—clouds are moving in this afternoon, along with a 60% chance of flurries. Winds will crank up from the west at 30 km/h with gusts up to 50 km/h, adding extra bite to the air. Even though the high will hit 0°C, the morning wind chill of -14 will have you second-guessing that lighter jacket. The UV index is a moderate 3, so while it’s not beach weather, a little SPF wouldn’t hurt if you’re catching some rays during the sunny stretch.

Tonight, the flurries could linger with a continued 60% chance through the evening under mainly cloudy skies. Winds will shift west at 20 km/h before calming later in the evening. The temperature will slide down to -11°C, with an overnight wind chill near -13. Definitely a night to stay indoors with something warm in hand.

Sunday and Monday – Staying Cold, Staying Cloudy

Sunday won’t bring much relief. Clouds return in the morning, and once again, there’s a 60% chance of flurries in the afternoon. Winds will shift north by late afternoon at 20 km/h, and the high won’t rise above -3°C. Wind chills will feel like -14 in the morning and around -8 in the afternoon, making it a day best spent indoors or layered like a seasoned Northerner. The UV index remains moderate at 3.

Sunday night features cloudy periods and a 30% chance of flurries, with temperatures falling to -13°C. Monday will finally bring a break from the cloud cover, with a mix of sun and cloud during the day and a high of -4°C. Monday night clears out completely, but temperatures plummet to a frigid -15°C—spring seems to be hitting the snooze button.

What to Wear in Dryden & Vermilion Bay This Weekend

Winter wardrobe? Still very much in season. Start with thermal layers, top off with a windproof insulated coat, and don’t forget gloves, a hat, and a scarf—especially during the mornings and evenings when wind chills will make things feel much colder than they are. Waterproof footwear is also a good idea in case those afternoon flurries decide to stick.

This Day in Dryden Weather History

April 5th has brought a mixed bag over the years. The warmest temperature on record for this date in Dryden was a balmy 12.5°C in 1991—shorts weather by Northwestern Ontario standards. On the flip side, the coldest April 5 plunged to a chilling -26.7°C in 1972. So while -9°C feels frosty, it’s somewhere in the middle of Dryden’s April legacy.