Frigid Start, But Some Sun to Soften the Chill
Thunder Bay wakes up to -31°C with a wind chill of -38. Sunshine won’t warm things up much, with frostbite risks continuing. Stay bundled up in Arctic-level gear!
Thunder Bay residents are waking up to a bone-chilling -31°C this morning, with a wind chill making it feel more like -38. The skies are clear, and visibility is excellent at 24 km, but don’t let that fool you—this is frostbite territory. The wind is light from the west-northwest at 6 km/h, and the barometric pressure is rising at 102.6 kPa. Humidity is sitting at 72%, meaning any exposed skin is at serious risk in these icy conditions.
The good news? The sun will make an appearance today, bringing a mix of sun and clouds. The bad news? It won’t do much for warmth. The high will struggle to reach -11°C, and even then, the wind chill will still feel like -14 in the afternoon. This morning’s wind chill of -37 is downright dangerous, so layering up is essential. If you’re heading out, cover all exposed skin and keep those warm beverages close. The UV index is sitting at a low 1, so at least you won’t have to worry about sunburn—just frostbite.
Tonight: Clear but Colder
As the sun sets, temperatures will plummet again. Expect partly cloudy skies with a low of -23°C. The wind will remain light at up to 15 km/h, creating a wind chill of -16 in the evening and a frigid -29 overnight. Another night where staying indoors with a warm blanket sounds like the best plan.
Thursday: More Sun, More Cold
Thursday will bring more sunshine, but the chill isn’t going anywhere. The wind will pick up, becoming northwest at 20 km/h, pushing the morning wind chill to a brutal -32. By the afternoon, it’ll warm slightly to -14°C, but still feeling like -20. Frostbite remains a real threat, so bundle up if you’re venturing outside.
Thursday night will be another deep freeze with clear skies and a low of -27°C.
Looking Ahead: A Brief Flurry Before More Sunshine
Friday could bring a bit of action in the form of a 30% chance of flurries and a high of -11°C. As the evening rolls in, the chance of snow increases to 60%, with temperatures dropping to -20°C.
Saturday looks brighter, with sunny skies and a high of -13°C. However, another bitterly cold night is in store, as temperatures plummet to -26°C under clear skies.
What to Wear?
This is full-on Arctic gear weather. Layer up with thermal underclothes, an insulated parka, thick gloves, and a toque. Frostbite can set in quickly in these conditions, so make sure every inch of skin is covered when heading outside. If you have to be out for long, those hand and foot warmers will be lifesavers.
Thunder Bay Weather Trivia
Did you know? Thunder Bay holds the record for the coldest temperature ever recorded in Ontario outside of the Far North, hitting a brutal -45°C on January 11, 1911. While today’s temperatures aren’t quite that extreme, they’re still enough to make you rethink winter in Northern Ontario!
