Stay Warm, Stay Safe: Arctic Blast Persists Across Kenora, Dryden, Vermilion Bay, Sioux Lookout, Thunder Bay, and More
Extreme Cold Warning Continues for Northwestern Ontario
Bundle up and brace yourselves, Northwestern Ontario! An Extreme Cold Warning remains in effect across the region, with dangerously low wind chill values between -40 and -45 expected to persist until Tuesday afternoon. With frostbite capable of striking exposed skin in minutes, it’s no time to skimp on layers—or to leave your furry friends outside for too long!
Current Weather Conditions Across the Region
Here’s how things are shaping up:
Thunder Bay
At 5:00 PM EST, it was a bone-chilling -24.4°C at the Thunder Bay Airport, with a wind chill of -35 making it feel like an arctic tundra. Winds from the WNW at 17 km/h, gusting up to 35 km/h, keep things brisk, while the barometric pressure is at 103.0 kPa and falling. Humidity sits at 45%, so at least it’s a dry cold (if that’s any comfort)!
Kenora
Over in Kenora, at 4:00 PM CST, the temperature hit a frigid -29.2°C, with a wind chill of -42 that could freeze even the hardiest northerner. Winds are coming from the WSW at 19 km/h, and pressure is at 103.4 kPa, also on the decline. Humidity is slightly higher at 60%, and visibility is an impressive 32 km, though who’s going outside to enjoy the view?
Dryden and Vermilion Bay
At 4:00 PM CST, Dryden was no winter wonderland, sitting at a nippy -29.4°C with a wind chill of -44. Winds from the west at 26 km/h are turning already icy conditions into frostbite-inducing misery. Humidity measures 58%, with visibility slightly lower at 16 km.
Forecast Highlights: Frostbite in Minutes
Thunder Bay:
Tonight, expect clear skies and a low of -36°C, with a staggering wind chill of -45°C. Frostbite is a serious risk! Tuesday will bring sunshine and a “warmer” high of -21°C, though morning wind chills of -46°C will keep things brutally cold. Snow arrives Tuesday night, with about 2 cm expected.
Kenora:
Tonight will dip to -33°C with wind chills near -43°C, and frostbite will remain a concern. Tuesday starts sunny but turns cloudy by afternoon, with a high of -20°C. Snow flurries could make a cameo in the evening.
Dryden and Vermilion Bay:
A frigid low of -34°C tonight and wind chills at -44°C make staying inside the only sane option. Tuesday brings sunshine and a high of -22°C, with the risk of frostbite in mere minutes. Light snow is expected by Tuesday night.
Wardrobe Tips for Surviving the Cold
Dress for the weather (or for the North Pole, apparently). Layers are key: a thermal base layer, insulated mid-layers, and a windproof outer shell. Don’t forget a snug toque, scarf, mittens (not gloves!), and warm boots. Pro tip: Your pets deserve to stay cozy indoors too!
Record-Breaking Cold Snaps
Let’s talk history: On this day, January 20, the record high for Thunder Bay was 6.4°C, set in 1942. Can you imagine basking in such warmth today? Meanwhile, the record low was a bone-chilling -41.1°C, set in 1985. Looks like Mother Nature is revisiting her icy archives this week!
Weather Trivia to Warm Your Mind
Did you know that frostbite can set in on exposed skin in under 5 minutes when wind chills dip below -40°C? That’s faster than it takes most of us to scrape ice off a windshield! Stay safe, and keep an eye out for frostnip—a warning sign that frostbite is near.
