Thunder Bay weather: -14°C with light snow and wind chills of -23°C. Frostbite risks rise overnight as temps drop to -33°C. Sunny but frigid Thursday ahead
Current Conditions in Thunder Bay
Good morning, Thunder Bay! It’s one of those winter days where grabbing the snow shovel feels like a victory—at least it’s not -30°C this morning! At 6:00 AM EST, the temperature is -13.7°C, with light snow falling to remind us that winter still has plenty to offer. The barometric pressure is 101.0 kPa but is currently falling, suggesting the weather may stay unsettled for a while.
The humidity sits at 87%, and with a light ENE wind at 7 km/h, it feels like -18°C out there. Visibility is down to 1.6 km, so take it slow on those snowy roads.
Today’s Forecast: Snow Tapers Off, But the Chill Remains
Periods of snow will taper off this morning, leaving us with mainly cloudy skies and a 40% chance of flurries for the rest of the day. Winds will remain light, at up to 15 km/h, but wind chills will make it feel like -17°C in the morning and -23°C by the afternoon.
So, even though the snow may ease, the cold is here to stay. The UV index is 1 (low), so your sunglasses can take a rest.
Tonight: Cold and Clear
Tonight, the clouds will give way to a few stars, but temperatures will plummet. Expect an overnight low of -25°C, and with light winds up to 15 km/h, the wind chill will make it feel like -33°C.
Frostbite risks are high, so if you’re heading out, make sure to bundle up like you’re preparing for a polar expedition.
Thursday: Sunshine, but Bring the Parka
Thursday will bring mainly sunny skies, but it’s going to be another frigid day. The high will only reach -17°C, with a brutal morning wind chill of -33°C, improving slightly to -25°C in the afternoon. While the sun may shine, frostbite risks remain high, so don’t let the blue skies fool you into thinking it’s warm outside. The UV index remains at 1 (low).
Thursday night will stay clear, with a low of -24°C.
Looking Ahead: Milder Temperatures and Flurries
Friday will bring some relief from the deep freeze, with increasing clouds and a high of -10°C. The evening will become snowy, with a 60% chance of flurries and a low of -12°C.
Saturday will continue the trend of cloudy skies with a 60% chance of flurries and a relatively warm high of -6°C. Saturday night will cool back down to -18°C, with cloudy periods and a 30% chance of flurries.
Historic Weather Note
On this day in Thunder Bay’s history, the warmest January 22nd on record was 6.7°C, while the coldest was a bone-chilling -38.9°C. So, while today feels frosty, consider yourself lucky—it could be much worse!
What to Wear
For today’s snowy and frosty conditions, heavy winter coats are a must, along with insulated boots for those snow-covered sidewalks. Add a toque, thick gloves, and a scarf to protect your face and ears. If you’re heading out tonight or early tomorrow, double up on layers because frostbite can set in within minutes in those sub-zero wind chills.
Weather Trivia for Thunder Bay
Did you know that Thunder Bay is often referred to as the “Lakehead” because it’s located at the top of Lake Superior? During winter, Lake Superior’s vast expanse creates its own weather systems, often delivering snow and cold temperatures to the region—proof that being next to a “great” lake comes with its winter challenges!
