Watch Your Step—Icy Sidewalks & Frozen Puddles
THUNDER BAY – WEATHER DESK – After an unseasonably mild Monday, Thunder Bay is waking up to a reality check this morning—icy sidewalks and frozen puddles making for tricky walking conditions. With temperatures dipping back below freezing overnight, any lingering moisture from yesterday has turned into a skating rink. If you’re heading out, take it slow!
Current Conditions (March 4, 2025 – 7:00 AM EST)
At Thunder Bay Airport, it’s currently -6.5°C under partly cloudy skies. Humidity is 95%, so it feels quite damp in the air. A southwest wind at 12 km/h makes it feel closer to -12°C with the wind chill. Visibility is excellent at 32 km, and the barometric pressure is at 100.7 kPa and rising, which signals a brief break in active weather before the next system moves in.
On this date in history, Thunder Bay has seen both ends of the temperature spectrum—a record high of 8.2°C, and a frigid -36.5°C as the coldest ever recorded.
Today’s Forecast: Sun, Cloud, and a Chance of Flurries
Expect a mix of sun and cloud today, with a 30% chance of flurries throughout the day. There’s also a risk of freezing drizzle this morning, which won’t help those already slippery sidewalks. Winds will remain light, up to 15 km/h, and temperatures will climb to a high of 2°C—just enough to cause some melting again. The UV index is 3 (moderate), so if you’re outside for a while, a bit of sun protection isn’t a bad idea.
Tonight, skies turn cloudy, with a 30% chance of flurries before steadier snow begins before morning. The wind will shift to the northeast at 20 km/h, gusting to 40 km/h, making it feel colder. The low will be -7°C, with a wind chill of -13°C overnight.
Wednesday: Snowy and Windy
A snowy Wednesday is on tap, with periods of snow totaling around 5 cm. The northeast wind will pick up, blowing at 20 km/h with gusts up to 40 km/h, which could create some blowing snow in open areas. Temperatures will hold steady near -6°C, but the wind chill will make it feel like -14°C. The UV index will be low at 1.
By Wednesday night, skies clear out, and the temperature plummets to -14°C.
Thursday and Beyond: A Quick Warm-Up Before the Cold Returns
Thursday will be a bright and sunny day, with temperatures rebounding slightly to 1°C—a nice break from the snow. Cloudy periods with a 30% chance of flurries return at night, as the low drops to -16°C.
Friday will be sunny but much colder, with a high of only -7°C. The night will be clear and crisp, with temperatures falling to -13°C.
Wardrobe Recommendations
Today’s melting and refreezing cycle means you’ll need boots with good traction to avoid slipping on those icy sidewalks. Layer up with a warm but breathable jacket, and keep gloves and a hat handy for the wind chill. By Wednesday, when the snow and wind kick in, full winter gear will be the way to go.
Weather Trivia: Thunder Bay’s Ice-Covered Sidewalks
Did you know that Thunder Bay is one of Ontario’s snowiest cities, averaging 160 cm of snow per year? The frequent freeze-thaw cycles here create some of the iciest sidewalks in the province. No wonder locals are so good at the “penguin walk” in winter!
