Frigid Start, Clear Skies, and a Gradual Warm-Up

Dryden starts off at -20°C with wind chills near -26°C. A major warm-up is coming, with highs reaching 12°C by Friday. Freezing rain and snow could return Saturday

The Dryden and Vermilion Bay region is waking up to a bitterly cold morning at -19.5°C under clear skies. Humidity is sitting at 71%, and the wind is coming from the west-northwest at 9 km/h, pushing the wind chill down to a frosty -26°C.

The barometric pressure is at 101.5 kPa, signaling relatively stable conditions. Visibility remains strong at 16 km, but with the extreme cold, frostbite is a real concern.

The good news? Sunshine is in store today, with mainly clear skies and light winds up to 15 km/h. The high will climb to -8°C, which might feel like a heatwave compared to this morning.

However, the wind chill will still be biting, sitting at -25°C early in the day before improving to -13°C this afternoon.

The UV index is low at 2, so while sunglasses may help with the glare off the snow, sunscreen isn’t a major concern. Of course what exposed skin is there except for your rosy red cheeks?

Tonight, a few clouds will drift in, but the winds remain light at 15 km/h. The low will drop to -12°C, with a wind chill near -15°C—not as extreme as this morning, but still cold enough to bundle up.

Midweek: A Thaw Begins

Wednesday brings increasing clouds and a 40% chance of flurries, but temperatures will make a big leap forward. Winds will shift to the southwest at 20 km/h in the afternoon, helping to push the high above freezing to +1°C.

The morning will still feel brisk, with a wind chill of -14°C, but by afternoon, the cold will ease significantly.

Wednesday night will be clear, with a low of -8°C—cold, but much milder than recent nights.

Thursday keeps the warming trend going, with cloudy skies and a 30% chance of either rain showers or flurries. The high will reach +3°C, marking a true sign of spring. The night will be cloudy with a continued slight chance of precipitation and a low of +1°C.

Looking Ahead: Spring-Like Warmth, but Winter’s Not Done Yet

Friday will bring a mix of sun and clouds with a 40% chance of rain showers or flurries. The high will reach a very mild 12°C, making it one of the warmest days in weeks. However, the night will turn messy, with a mix of rain or freezing rain and a low of +2°C.

Saturday could be a wild one, with a mix of freezing rain or snow, blowing snow, and windy conditions. The high will hover around +2°C, but with wintery precipitation in the mix, travel could become hazardous. The night brings continued snow, blowing snow, and plunging temperatures, with a low of -14°C. Winter isn’t letting go without a fight!

What to Wear?

Today and tonight demand full winter gear—thick coats, gloves, hats, and scarves. Frostbite is still a risk, especially in the morning. By Wednesday, layering is key, as temperatures will rise above freezing for the first time in a while. By Friday, you might be able to swap the heavy winter coat for a lighter jacket, but keep the waterproof gear handy, as rain and freezing rain become a concern.

Dryden Weather Trivia: A March of Extremes

March weather in Dryden has seen some wild swings over the years. The warmest March 11 on record was a pleasant 13.2°C in 2012, while the coldest was a staggering -38.9°C back in 1965. This week, we’re experiencing a classic March transition—bitter cold to start, followed by a rapid warm-up, and then a return to messy winter conditions.