Light Snow and Gusty Winds Make for a Slippery Start to the Week
The weather is putting spring on hold yet again across Dryden, Vermilion Bay, and the Highway 17 corridor. As of 6:00 AM CDT, light snow is falling over Dryden, with visibility reduced to 2 km. The temperature sits at a brisk 0.0°C, but the wind chill has it feeling more like –4°C, thanks to a north wind at 13 km/h, gusting up to 28 km/h.
Humidity is high at 98%, and the barometric pressure is 100.4 kPa, holding steady—for now. Conditions are ripe for continued snowfall and increasingly gusty winds throughout the day.
Today’s Forecast: Snow Showers, Blowing Snow, and Travel Trouble
Expect periods of snow through the day, totalling 2 to 4 cm, with more possible in exposed areas along Highway 17. Winds will shift northwest and increase to 30 km/h with gusts reaching 50 km/h, bringing in local blowing snow by this afternoon—especially tricky on open highway stretches.
Temperatures will hover near zero, but with the wind in play, it’s going to feel colder all day. And with road surfaces already slick, travel will require caution and maybe a few extra minutes (and coffees).
The UV index is low at 1, so no need for the shades—just your snow scraper and windshield washer fluid.
Tonight: Flurries Linger and Wind Chills Bite
The sky stays cloudy tonight with a 40% chance of flurries, and the wind refuses to settle down. Gusts of up to 50 km/h will continue through the evening, pushing the temperature down to –5°C, but it’ll feel like –12°C with the wind chill. Make sure to plug in the car and dig out the toque again.
Tuesday: A Cold Morning, but Brighter Afternoon
Tuesday keeps us under cloudy skies to start, with a 30% chance of flurries early, then a slight break with a high of +5°C. The wind from the northwest at 20 km/h gusting to 40 will still pack a chill in the morning, with a wind chill of –11°C before the mercury rises. Tuesday night will be clear and colder, with a low of –6°C.
Midweek Outlook: Gradual Spring Tease
Wednesday sees increasing cloudiness and a high of 8°C, a welcome climb. But don’t hang up your snow brush yet: flurries or rain showers are in the cards Wednesday night, with a low of –1°C, and Thursday brings more cloud and a 40% chance of mixed precipitation, with highs around 7°C.
Historical Snapshot: April 14 in Dryden
On this day in past years, Dryden has basked in highs over 20°C—but also weathered lows in the –15°C range. So today’s chilly, snowy scene? Not out of character at all. Spring in Northwestern Ontario has always marched to the beat of its own snow-covered drum.
Wardrobe Wisdom
Dress for winter, despite the calendar. Think windproof layers, a warm hat, and gloves you don’t mind getting wet. And if you’re on Highway 17, bring extra patience and an emergency snack stash.
Did You Know?
Dryden is the smallest city in Ontario—but it packs a big punch when it comes to spring weather drama. Sitting between major systems from the west and moisture feeds from the Great Lakes, it often becomes a battleground for snow and rain well into late April.
