Thunder Bay’s Extreme Cold Warning continues, with wind chills hitting -43°C this morning. Light snow arrives tonight. Stay warm and frostbite-free!
THUNDER BAY – WEATHER DESK – The Extreme Cold Warning persists across Thunder Bay this morning, with bone-chilling wind chill values plunging to a brutal range of -40 to -45°C. If you’re planning to step outside, think twice—and then maybe think a third time! With the observed temperature at -30°C and a wind chill that could freeze your face off faster than you can say “parka,” this is a morning to savor that second cup of coffee indoors.
The weather is expected to “warm up” slightly this afternoon, but let’s be honest—minus 24°C still isn’t a tropical paradise.
Currently, the pressure sits at 102.9 kPa and is falling, the humidity is a dry 59%, and the winds are westerly at 15 km/h, adding that extra edge to the chill. Visibility is a decent 24 km, though stepping outside for a look might not be worth the frostbite risk.
Today: Frostbite in Minutes—Dress Smart
Expect a high today of -20°C under mainly sunny skies, but don’t let the sunshine fool you. Wind chills will stay punishing, starting at -43°C this morning before “warming” to -24°C this afternoon. Frostbite can occur in minutes, so dress warmly in layers and make sure your outer layer is wind-resistant.
Don’t forget hats, gloves, and scarves, and remember—if it’s too cold for you to stay outside, it’s too cold for your pets.
Tonight: Snowflakes and Slight Relief
Clouds will creep in tonight, with periods of light snow beginning late this evening and leaving behind about 2 cm of accumulation. Winds will stay calm at 15 km/h, but the temperature will rise to -15°C by morning. While that might sound balmy compared to today, wind chills will still hover at -31°C this evening and improve only slightly to -19°C overnight.
Risk of frostbite remains, so keep those wool socks on!
The Rest of the Week: Snowy Midweek, Sunshine Ahead
Wednesday: A Snowy Start
Light snow will wrap up in the morning, giving way to mostly cloudy skies with a 40% chance of flurries throughout the day. By the afternoon, northwesterly winds at 20 km/h will bring some added bite to the air.
The high will reach -13°C, but wind chills will make it feel closer to -24°C. Overnight, skies will clear, and temperatures will plummet to a frigid -25°C.
Thursday and Friday: Sunshine, But Still Frigid
Thursday will bring sunny skies and a high of -15°C, a modest improvement over Wednesday’s deep freeze. By night, temperatures will tumble to -24°C. Friday’s weather looks equally bright, with a high of -11°C.
However, clouds will roll in overnight, with a 40% chance of flurries and a low near -14°C.
Wardrobe Wisdom: Dress Like an Onion (Layers Are Key!)
To face this frosty weather, think layers—thermal base layers, fleece or wool for insulation, and windproof jackets for the outer layer. Don’t skimp on the accessories: insulated gloves, a toque, and a scarf are mandatory. And let’s not forget good winter boots with warm socks—trust us, your toes will thank you.
Did You Know? Thunder Bay’s Frosty History
On this date, Thunder Bay once reached a historic low of -39.4°C, making today’s chill feel slightly less apocalyptic. The warmest January 21 recorded? A toasty 4.4°C. Ah, the good old days of “winter heat waves.”
